The location of the Tresco Gardens, on the Isles of Scilly provide a sub-tropical environment for the large collection of tender and hardy plants, many as examples of those to be found around other parts of the world. 

The garden's are protected from colder winds by strategic hedges (see below).

Tresco Gardens rise up on the hillside, allowing a simple network of paths to circumnavigate and pass through the gardens. From these pathways can be seen the stunning views over the bay, across the tops of the many palms and towering trees.

Many of the pathways pass directly through the garden, edged by lush herbaceous planting and overhanging tree canopies.

Here, the path known as The Long Walk runs east to west,m from the entrance to The Cultivated Garden.

The gardens are not always a riot of colour but instead rely on mixing foliage textures with seasonal flowers, like these tender Aeonium arboreum.

As mentioned above, the gardens are protected by tall evergreen hedges like these Quercus ilex (Holm Oak).

Green architectural elements like these hedges also provide a calm magnificence to the garden, screening and directing ones views throughout the garden. 

The marble statue 'Gaia', sculpted by David Wynne provides a focus for quiet contemplation in this small hideaway towards the upper part of the garden.

The summer house looks down the long path towards the south. Inside the summer house, a mosaic of shells and small coloured tiles portrays flowers and views of the landscape beyond.

Just to the south of the summer house is the Agave sculpture crafted by Tom Leaper which provides a unique object for a water feature.

One of the middle terrace paths, again providing long views back through the gardens, crammed on both sides by tender and regular garden variety plants.  

The tall tree tops to the north provide shelter for the rest of the garden.

The romantic arches of the Old Abbey are the remains of the Benedictine settlement. 

Within the walls lay the remnants of 17th and 18th century graves but the most interesting one being a Roman gravestone dating back to the 5th or 6th century AD. 

Sempervivums cling to the old walls and Agapanthus form bold clumps around the entrances.