A former pharmacist and his wife created a 20-acre magical garden from scratch near York. Now visitors describe it as a ‘glimpse of paradise’. The couple talk about their passion for plants

BACK in 1998, if you’d seen the bleak fields stretching for miles across the horizon towards York, you’d never have guessed that 20 years later, an unassuming Yorkshire couple would have single-handedly transformed this unforgiving landscape into one of the most idyllic - and largest - flower gardens in Yorkshire.

But now the secret is out, and you can visit this exquisite place all summer. The huge, magical garden near York offers visitors a diverse range of magnificent, vibrant borders, sparkling fountains, beautiful lake, immaculate lawns, trees, shrubs, amazing garden design, and over 6,000 different varieties of flowers, trees and plants - all named. The planted garden stretches to more than 20 acres - that’s around the equivalent of 13 football pitches – with wide, easy pathways which are perfect for everyone.

With no formal horticultural training and only the love of gardening, vision and hard work to drive them, former pharmacist Colin Parker and his wife Marylen have created the breathtakingly-beautiful Breezy Knees Gardens at Warthill, near York. The place has been described as a “glimpse of paradise” by one awestruck visitor recently and gardening writer Roy Lancaster wrote: “What I saw exceeded all expectations and I was totally bowled over.”

Breezy Knees was so named by the couple because 20 years ago there were no trees or hedges in place and when working on the land in the middle of winter it seemed a very apt description. Now visitors needn’t worry, as the gardens are beautifully sheltered by glorious trees and shrubs, but the name has stuck.

The creation of Breezy Knees Gardens is a truly inspirational story, but both Colin and Marylen are no-nonsense characters with an endearingly down-to-earth approach. As he overlooks two enchanting flower borders shaded by exquisite Paul’s Scarlet trees, Colin says: “People are often put off by over-complicated advice from so-called garden experts, but all it takes is enthusiasm and a willingness to experiment. Don’t be afraid of failure. If a plant doesn’t thrive where you’ve planted it, then just plant something else. If a design isn’t quite right, take another approach.”

Marylen agrees and says: “Nothing stands still here. Every year we continue to add new plants, re-design borders and improve existing ones. Recently we’ve planted out euphorbia and achillea Rivers, which are proving popular and are getting many complimentary comments. A visitor from Blackpool has just called us to see when our peonies were out as she enjoyed the display so much when she visited previously and wanted to see them again. It’s lovely to hear how much enjoyment our gardens give to people."

Breezy Knees Gardens are tended manually by the equivalent of just two full-time staff, including Colin and Marylen. The couple’s daughter Holly runs the café. The adjoining Breezy Knees Nursery stocks more than 1,500 varieties of perennial flowers to buy and plant.

Colin and Marylen both have a sense of fun and the gardens are full of surprises. There’s a great topiary project called Stone Hedge, which is a hornbeam version of the Neolithic prehistoric monument in Wiltshire. And two enormous Wellington boots overlook the Rose Garden, offering amusement and picture opportunities. One border is named the Rogues' Gallery as it’s full of plants that traditional gardeners hate because they run amok and there’s even a Rabbit Path where rabbits can run freely among the flowers (from experience, plants that rabbits don’t eat). The Peony and Daylily Gardens attract visitors from all over the country, year after year, because of their beauty.

Colin and Marylen have developed some monthly borders which show off stunning displays of beautiful flowers all blooming together – for instance the May Garden, June Garden and September Garden. Visitors can also enjoy the lovely tumbling Cottage Garden, Raised Beds, Rose Garden, Euphorbia and Achillea Rivers, Rock Garden, Double Border, Conifer and Lawned Gardens, fountains and more. “Visitors always mention the beauty, peace and the tranquillity here”, says Marylen, “And you know, even though this is our workplace, we can both still enjoy that aspect of it too. We really never tire of our work because there’s always something lovely to look at – or better still - improve.”

  • Breezy Knees Gardens (Common Lane, Warthill, York YO19 5XS) are open every day May to September 10.30 am to 5pm. Dogs are not permitted (except guide dogs)

Adult entry is £7. Children (3-16) are £2.50 and a season ticket is £27 per person.

Gardens, Cafe and Nursery – Open until September 30. Cafe closed Monday and Tuesday. 10.30am-5pm (last entry 3.30pm)

Admission: Adults £7; Children 3-16yrs, £2.50; Season ticket £27. Dogs not permitted in the gardens (except guide dogs).

W: breezyknees.co.uk