THE Prince of Wales indulged in his love of gardening with a tour of a heritage garden at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons yesterday.

Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, who created the garden at his restaurant and hotel in Great Milton, showed Prince Charles rare varieties of British vegetables including the Carathas Purple Podded Pea.

During the visit, the Prince spoke to gardener John Driscoll, who showed him around the ‘Mushroom Valley’.

Mr Driscoll said: “Prince Charles was incredibly knowledgable of the different types of mushrooms.”

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The heritage garden was opened in June and was designed by Hampshire-based garden architect Anne Keenan.

She said: “What we were trying to do was showcase biodiversity in the garden through using sustainable woods, recycling champagne bottles for the benches, and sourcing everything from the British Isles.”

To mark the occassion, Prince Charles and Mr Blanc both planted a tree in the orchard at Le Manoir, which grows 70 different varieties of apples and 12 types of pear.

Mr Blanc said: “It was wonderful to see the Prince so engaged with the gardeners.”

Commenting on the heavy rainfall during the visit, Prince Charles said: “Just the day for planting trees”

David Love Cameron, 40, who has just completed a gardening scholarship at Le Manoir, said: “I was worried about talking to Prince Charles because he is so knowledgeable about gardening.

“It was a great experience.”

View our picture gallery of Prince Charles’ visit here

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