Gardens in bloom.

Gardens are very near and dear to my heart so I envy you! The best time to see gardens in London are actually in the spring, but I’m sure some things will still be blooming in summer. Here are a few of my favorites:

Whatever you do, do not miss Kew Gardens. This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in my life. The Victorian winter gardens are some of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen—you can literally climb up the spiral staircases to see them from above. Just be careful, though taking pictures—it gets very humid in the enclosed areas and it can really cause damage to your camera. Also, they have an insane selection of seeds but just remember—you can’t take them out of the country (believe me, I really want to but you can’t!!!).

I quickly visited the Chelsea Physic Garden and loved it. It’s a long story but I found them through the Chelsea School of Botanical Art which offers classes there. If you love flowers and gardens you should definitely try to catch one of their exhibits which are beyond amazing.

One of the first places I ever visited in London was the Peter Pan Statue in Kensington Gardens and I still love the gardens there (and just the grounds in general).

A friend turned me on to the gardens at the Royal Inns Of Court (which I think is actually an association for attorneys). They’re beautiful and totally free and open to the public.

If you like Japanese gardens, check out Holland Park. They have a garden called the Kyoto Garden Holland Park that has a beautiful waterfall. I didn’t stay here very long but really loved it—I’d love to spend more time here on my next trip.

Kensington Gardens is very central, it's beautiful and very peaceful. You're right near the much busier Hyde Park and The Serpentine Lido, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, and St James' Park. Kensington has great shopping too. 

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Gardens would also be worth your time, especially if you'd like to see something more exotic.

However, if you want amazing gardens you may need to venture out of London. The National Trust maintains many formal gardens at country houses, castles, and parks. 

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

My favourite is Sheffield Park and Garden near Haywards Heath, which are the work of Capability Brown.

The Chelsea Flower Show is the best - but you need to get tickets well in advance, it only lasts a few weeks. Google it! Otherwise, Kew Gardens is famous (not in Central London).

Unusual alternative? Not so much floral as pharmaceutical, Chelsea Physic Garden has a huge collection of medicinal, edible and useful plants and is right on the Thames River. http://chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/