Open Gardens: celebrating success in 2025 and welcoming new volunteers for 2026

As we approach the shortest day and 2025 draws towards its close, it’s a good time to look back over a year of Open Gardens and take stock of the triumphs and tears, of the joys and frustrations. I asked Susan Lambert, President of Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts, to reflect on the season just gone. 

She told me that in common with other gardeners, the Openers had had to face a year of extremes: multiple canicules (heatwaves) from as early as May in some parts, followed by torrential rain and even hail. 

Despite the difficulties, the show went on, and on. “I am absolutely delighted to say that we are still in a position to donate a possible €19,000 to our charities. This is a truly remarkable achievement.” Susan really values the several regular garden openers, the loyal stalwarts whose efforts underpin the organisation. 

She is also very pleased to have back garden openers who have had a ‘pause’ for one reason or another and returned to opening again this year. And, in the quest for expansion across the Hexagon, she is excited to have welcomed new gardeners in different departments. “Each year we attend various plant fairs in order to try to recruit new garden openers, new coordinators and new ‘Friends of Open Gardens’”, Sue explains. “This year we attended the Fête des Plantes at Couzeix, Limoges, and both the Spring and Autumn ‘Journée des Plantes’ at the Arboretum de la Sedelle in the Creuse.”

The Arboretum is where, in July, the Association held its extremely well-attended Afternoon Tea event. “It was much enjoyed by our French, Dutch and British visitors,” Susan smiles. “A Women’s Institute branch in the UK donated English china tea cups, saucers and plates so it felt very authentic! Lots of volunteers helped with baking, making, serving and washing up. Bunting and tablecloths added to the ambiance.”

“All our ‘Partner Gardens’ (The Arboretum de la Sedelle, The Arboretum du Château de Neuvic d’Ussel and the Jardin Lacore) opened for us this year,” Susan tells me. “In August, Béatrix d’Ussel held a guided tour of the grounds and the chapel followed by a picnic on the chateau’s terrace. The following month, Alain Gribet of the Jardin Lacore held an open day and a photographic exhibition around his ‘Jardin Remarquable’.”

If you look on the interactive map on the Open Gardens website you will see red pins stuck in the furthest westernmost part of Brittany down to Les Landes in the South Western corner, sweeping above Provence and around up to the far North East. Tap on any of the pins and details of the gardens will pop up. The number of gardens which open for the association is growing steadily.

In May, in a village called Montclar in the Aude, not far from Carcassonne, thirteen gardens opened for Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts. “It was so successful that they have agreed to do the same again next year,” beams Susan. “Except in 2026 there will be calèche (carriage) rides between the gardens!” she adds excitedly. “Our coordinator in the Oise, in the Hauts-de-France, organised a ‘Secret Garden Tour’ of hidden gardens near the ancient town of Senlis,” Susan adds. 

“And in Haute Vienne, another couple opened a Swap Shop in order to raise funds for us. We have had a lovely new coordinator and committee member from North Dordogne start volunteering for us. She is helping us with marketing. And we are most grateful to have a new lady who has taken on the role of Secretary.” 

There are so many ‘jobs’ within any association which need to be done. Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts is no different and Susan is keen to put on record her thanks to everyone who participated in making 2025 another successful year. “I would like to thank all our garden openers, coordinators, committee members, Friends of Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts, our loyal translator, the person who puts the new gardens up on the website, our Website Manager, our Treasurer/Membership Secretary, our Social Media lady and our postperson,” Susan tells me. 

“All these people devote many hours to keeping everything running smoothly in the background. And I need to thank our three sponsors, Leggett International Immobilier, The Connexion and Blevins Franks Financial Advisors, without whom we could not fund the running costs of the organisation nor advertise our events on a regular basis. We are most grateful. 

“We are also indebted to the kindness and generosity of Madame La Maire and her team at the mairie of Saint-Maurice-La-Souterraine who allow us to base our association’s head office there and to host our monthly committee meetings. 

In 2026, after eleven years of Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts, several committee members are now ready to retire. We would like to encourage new people to step forward to offer their time to help us in the management of the association. I would like to make clear that as we already use Zoom for meetings, you can live anywhere in France and still participate – you do not need to be based in the Creuse. Everyone is welcome. Meetings are held in English.” 

If you think you might be interested in getting involved in supporting an organisation which believes in ‘jardinage et générosité’ (gardening and generosity), please do get in touch – email Susan Lambert at president@opengardens.eu. 

If you want more information on the association, have a look on the website www.opengardens.eu or look at The Connexion’s archive to re-read about the gardeners and their gardens for motivation. You can purchase your 2026/27 membership – just €20 + €2 administration costs. The admin costs are waived if you join at an open garden. Membership gives you the right to vote in person or by procuration at AGMs and you can visit as many gardens as you like for the whole year – March through to February 2027. It also brings a regular newsletter, straight to your inbox, if you wish, so you can keep up with news and get information.

And on a personal note, I would like to thank Susan for all her help organising my interviews throughout the year. And huge thanks to all the garden openers who so warmly share their stories with me and who kindly go slow enough so I can scribble my notes – especially important when we are conversing in French and I’m frantically scrawling in mangled franglish. The people I have met while writing this column have been as inspirational as their gardens have been beautiful. And thanks to them too for all the wonderful photographs they’ve shared. I look forward to many more in 2026.