There’s something really special about the gardens in Suffolk. Whether it’s the wildness of an overgrown border or the calm of a perfectly clipped hedge, they each tell their own story. I recently had the chance to visit two very different, but equally beautiful, gardens in the village of Kersey as part of the National Garden Scheme, and it felt like the perfect moment to reflect on just how inspiring our local landscapes can be.
The NGS is such a brilliant initiative, opening private gardens across the UK in support of nursing and health charities like Macmillan, Marie Curie, and Hospice UK. And beyond the fundraising, it’s a reminder of the joy and wellbeing gardens can bring.
The first garden we visited was incredibly structured and had been thoughtfully divided into neat, symmetrical sections with gravel paths and 4 lush Buxus hedging, with mature Silver Birch Trees and carefully placed blooms such as Geraniums, Euphorbia, Foxgloves and Alliums. It felt calm, elegant, and really considered. A sculptural statue sat at the back in the centre, bringing everything together with a sense of quiet confidence. It reminded me how much I love a balanced, architectural style in arrangements, something we often reflect in our more structured bouquets or by pairing clean-lined planters with soft, neutral florals.
The second garden was the opposite in many ways - looser, wilder, and bursting with life. Mediterranean plants spilled over pathways, herbs filled the air with scent, and the borders were full of movement thanks to tall grasses and billowing roses. It felt informal and joyful, the kind of space that makes you exhale. I always find gardens like this inspire our more relaxed, flowing arrangements where colour, texture and shape evolve naturally, without too much structure.
Visiting these gardens was such a lovely reminder that inspiration is everywhere, especially right on our doorstep. And it’s exactly this connection to nature that continues to guide us at The Suffolk Nest. Whether you prefer a perfectly poised display or something a little more wild and whimsical, our summer range has been thoughtfully created to help you bring a little bit of the outdoors in—no green thumb required.
