Have secateurs, will travel

Brightwater's trips with Tresco's head gardener, Mike Nelhams, as guide are particularly good, according to my fellow travellers. \"He knew the name of every plant, he walked around with you, he was just so helpful,\" said one. An Islay Wildlife Spring Watch starts from 495 for four days. You can go further afield, too: in October Brightwater has a tour to Brazil, the holiday of a lifetime for those who long to see the exotic post-colonial gardens of Roberto Burle Marx. Linger in these private showpieces, then get escorted around Brazil's extraordinary botanical gardens (starts from 2,995). You don't have to restrict yourselves to gardening holidays. Greentours (www. greentours.co.uk) takes small groups to some of the world's wildest places to look at birds, butterflies and flowers. \"Iran is the most gorgeous country,\" says Fiona Dunbar, who co-runs the firm. \"The people are friendly, and the food delicious.\" Greentours organises all the Alpine Garden Society's tours. \"It's not just experts who come on the holidays,\" says co-founder Ian Green. \"Yes, you get members of the group who've written books, but you also get those who are there to learn, and those who just want to walk and see these incredible places.\"