Perennial to inherit Mona’s Garden into its family of gardens

Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is to inherit Mona’s Garden, north London – home to the Corokia National Collection.

The award-winning garden, voted ‘Best Back garden’ by the London Gardens Society, is to be gifted to Perennial by owner and creator Mona Abboud in her Will. Mona is a dedicated supporter of Perennial and helps to promote the charity through her garden.

Perennial plans to grow its family of gardens nationally and Mona’s Garden will act as a future hub for London which doesn’t yet offer a local garden.

Created in 2000, Mona’s Garden holds the national collection of Corokia as well as many other unusual Australasian and Mediterranean plants complemented in recent years by Restios from South Africa and interesting exotics. It emphasises texture, shapes and contrasting foliage colour.

Situated between Highgate and Muswell Hill in north London the unique space will benefit both visitors to and residents of London and show what can be created in a suburban environment. As the first town garden to be held by Perennial, it will be a perfect example of a typical domestic plot that has been transformed into a collector’s garden through a love of gardening.

Opera singer and musician Mona Abboud is enthusiastic about bringing her plant collection to the general public, she says: “I am delighted that Perennial will inherit my legacy. I know that I will be leaving my garden in good hands, and I feel honoured that it will be used to generate support for people in horticulture. I hope visitors will be inspired by my ‘labour of love’ as I call it and come to enjoy the versatility of Corokia as much as I have over the years.”

Perennial’s Chief Executive Peter Newman comments: “We are thrilled to welcome Mona who is a very special supporter of Perennial and her Corokia National Collection to our growing family of national gardens. As a collector’s garden it proves the breadth that British gardens have to offer and demonstrates an impressive standard of horticulture. It is a wonderful example of what can be created by a passionate home gardener with support from a horticultural professional.”

Mona is currently raising funds for Perennial through her garden and open days are taking place this year through: National Garden Scheme on 24 April and London Gardens Trust on 11-12 June as the first private garden to be included during its London Square Open Gardens Weekend.

Mona shares details of her passion for Corokia on her garden website and blog at monasgarden.co.uk and in her book ‘Corokia – my adventure’, available through the Perennial online shop: at perennial.org.uk/shop

Mona’s Garden will join York Gate – The Grade II national heritage masterpiece (north), Fullers Mill – The waterside oasis (east) and The Laskett – Celebration of the arts (west), as the fourth Perennial garden.

For more information on Perennial’s gardens visit perennial.org.uk/home/gardens