Sometimes inspiration is best digestested through the eyes. Follow me through the garden of St Erth.

Hidden in the heart of the dusty, dry Blackwood bushland, there is a lush garden oasis. Our last visit was made all the more surreal because the surrounding bush was crackling with ‘planned burns’, smoke wreathing the town below. Climbing upwards we exited the smoke and found the normally placid place packed with cars winding down the hill. The nursery, packed with its normal smörgåsbord of rare edibles and ornamentals, was overflowing and the cafe too. We had accidentally, but providentially arrived on the day of their Spring Festival.

The nursery is usually the main event for me: Native Finger Lime Pink Ice, Purple leafed Elderberry, Kiwiberry Issai, Tomato Wapsipinicon Peach…the names alone enough to delight the fancier of unusual & heirloom, however the garden is a real treat. I had already seen it a number of years ago, but and it was still able to surprise me. Behind the box hedges and the espaliered fruit trees in flower there was a Food Forest! Winding paths banked with drifts of marjoram, arbours lazy with hops, currants dropping with fruit. It really is amazing, I hope you all find time to investigate, it’s worth the trip. Afterwards I also recommend a cafe and coffee at the Black Wood Merchant in town, they’ve got lots of local delights to take home too and an antique store next door.

What are your favourite nurseries?