One of the benefits of joining De Beauvoir Gardeners is the chance to explore gardens that aren’t always available to the general public. And so it was that a group of us recently enjoyed a private tour of the remarkable London garden belonging to the inspirational Mona Abboud.

Set between Highgate and Muswell Hill, this exceptional creation – named ‘Best Back Garden’ by the London Gardens Society – was brimful of creative ideas. Highlights included the many and varied cloud pruned shrubs and trees, the National Collection of corokia, a South African shrub that offers an alternative to Buxus, of which Mona is the effervescent custodian, and the panoply of unusual Australasian and Mediterranean plants.

The visit finished with drinks and nibbles, offering the opportunity to digest the cornucopia of plants, the innovative hard landscaping that deploys repurposed materials to brilliant effect, and to swap notes with marvellous Mona. A lovely way to round-off a horticultural treat.