If We Could Grow Rainbows, How Happy We Would Be ...

I’ve just spent a lovely bank holiday afternoon at Lea Gardens, near Matlock in Derbyshire. Started in 1935 by John Marsden-Smedley, these gardens cover an area of about 4 acres and are covered by a massive collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, kalmias as when as many different types of alpines, acers and many other really interesting plants.

Now ‘run’ by Peter and Nancy Tye, Lea Gardens are the perfect example of managing to retain a family run business rather than a commercial concern. Although you have to pay (£3.50) to enter the gardens, it is like walking around someone’s back garden (but on a grand scale).