Business Details
30 Years
experience
Award-Winning Gardens in Essex | Green Island Gardens
Green Island Gardens is a 20-acre award-winning private garden attraction established in 1996 by owner and designer Fiona Edmond. Our professionally curated gardens showcase rare and unusual plants across structured landscapes, including a Japanese garden, woodland areas, and water features, designed to provide year-round horticultural interest. We combine decades of horticultural expertise with a passion for plant conservation, holding National Collections for Hamamelis and Camellias.Open to the public since 1999, we offer immersive experiences through guided tours, educational courses, and seasonal events. Our commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and visitor satisfaction has earned recognition as RHS Partner Garden of the Year 2024. We operate a nursery supplying plants featured in our gardens and maintain a family-friendly environment with wheelchair access and dedicated facilities.
Services
Garden Visits
Nursery Plants
Tea Room
Gardening Courses
Guided Tours
Gift Vouchers
Group Visits
Wedding Events
Photography Exhibitions
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- 28 years of horticultural expertise in garden design and plant conservation
- Holds RHS Partner Garden of the Year 2024 award
- Showcases National Plant Collections for Hamamelis and Camellias
- Wheelchair-accessible grounds with 20 acres of curated landscapes
- Owner-led tours and courses taught by award-winning designer Fiona Edmond
Associations and certifications
- Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
What people say
Award-winning gardens
Serene atmosphere
Expertly curated
Seasonal beauty
Wheelchair accessible
Services
Garden Visits
Explore 20 acres of professionally designed gardens featuring rare plants, structured landscapes, and seasonal displays. Open year-round with wheelchair accessibility and themed walking routes. Visitors enjoy curated horticultural experiences across woodland, water gardens, and formal beds.
Nursery Plants
Purchase plants directly from our gardens, including rare shrubs, perennials, and Acers. The nursery supplies specimens featured in our displays, with expert advice available from staff and owner Fiona Edmond. Plants are container-grown for easy transplantation.
Gardening Courses
Learn practical garden design skills through one-day courses and evening classes led by Fiona Edmond. Topics include planting for seasonal colour, propagation techniques, and landscape design principles. Courses combine theory with hands-on garden experiences for amateur gardeners.
Guided Tours
Join owner-led tours exploring garden design philosophies and plant collections. Private group tours include expert insights into maintaining rare species and creating sustainable landscapes. Tours last 1-1.75 hours with opportunities for horticultural Q&A sessions.
Tea Room
Relax in our licensed tea room serving homemade cakes, cream teas, and light meals. The menu features locally sourced ingredients with advance ordering options for groups. The space includes photography exhibitions and garden design displays for visitor enjoyment.
People
Fiona Edmond
Owner and Creator
Fiona Edmond founded Green Island Gardens in 1996, transforming a storm-damaged property into an award-winning horticultural destination. A former amateur golfer and Inchbald School-trained designer, she combines plant expertise with accessible garden design principles.
Questions
Are the gardens wheelchair accessible?
Yes, our grounds are wheelchair-friendly with only slight undulations. We also provide wheelchairs for visitor use.
Can I visit without paying garden admission?
Yes, our tea room and nursery remain accessible without garden entry. Simply inform staff upon arrival.
Do you offer guided tours?
We provide owner-led guided tours lasting 1-1.75 hours for groups and individuals at £60.00 per session.
Are dogs permitted on site?
Only assistance dogs are allowed due to our wildlife conservation efforts and visitor safety considerations.
How can I purchase plants?
Our nursery sells plants seen in the gardens. Contact us via email for availability and delivery options for container-grown specimens.
What parking facilities exist?
We provide ample on-site parking for cars and coaches with clear directional signage to garden entrances.
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