An innovative new website aimed at garden lovers described by Monty Don - one of the UK�s best-loved TV gardeners - as encompassing �an extraordinary array of natural and horticultural riches�, launches on 20 February.

MyCapitalGardensUSA.co.uk will highlight a rich and diverse collection of the best �secret� and historic gardens on the eastern seaboard, along with the chance to win a �flower power� trip for two to the Capital Region USA.

The new website which has been developed by the Capital Region USA, in association with the National Gardens Scheme (NGS), features the �pick of the bunch� of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC�s botanical gardens, National Parks, wineries and farmers� markets. These include Jefferson�s Monticello, featured in Monty Don�s very personal expedition �Around the World in 80 Gardens� broadcast by the BBC and described by him as being �perhaps the most famous garden in the whole region - if not the whole of America.�

�There is a wide range of spectacular gardens to visit in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC,� said Monty. �Many are loaded with history, as well as being exciting examples of the most modern ideas about contemporary garden design. �I made my pilgrimage to Thomas Jefferson�s Monticello in autumn, when the fall colours were at their best,� adds Monty, �but I long to return in spring and see it again - and many of the other gardens I missed first time round such as Dumbarton Oaks, Ladew Topiary Gardens and the fabulous arboretums in this region.�

Said Valerie Caldwell, Deputy Chief Executive of the NGS: �We are excited to work with the Capital Region USA to open up a new world of opportunity for garden visiting. There is a tremendous synergy between the aims of our organisations. We both wish to raise the profile of the beauty and potential of our gardens to the enthusiastic visitor. Our highly popular and famous Yellow Book plays a unique role in attracting garden visits within the UK and around the world. We believe this new website will prove an inspirational and invaluable source of reference for travellers to Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.� Visitors to MyCapitalGardensUSA.co.uk will have the chance to win a truly memorable 11-night holiday for two to visit these fabulous gardens and national parks in a prize draw offered by The Capital Region USA and its specialist travel partner, America As You Like It. This brand new �Vibrant Cities, Secret Gardens and Magnificent Mountains� itinerary, features a circular �garden route� tailored for visiting distinctive gardens and the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. It includes scheduled flights, accommodation and car rental. The free prize draw is open to website visitors until 31st May 2009 (subject to terms and conditions fully detailed on www.MyCapitalRegionUSA.co.uk). The website also features a selection of �Garden Getaway� recommendations by local tourism experts and road and rail options from Amtrak and Reston Limousines.

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Media enquiries:- Eugene Roberts or Kylie Whitfield at KBC PR on 01825 76 36 36 Eugene.roberts@kbc-pr.com / kylie.whitfield@kbc-pr.com

Notes to editors:

What is the Capital Region USA? The Capital Region USA is a tourism marketing organisation representing Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland. This region of America combines the big city excitement of Washington, DC with spectacular outdoor scenery, National Parks, historical sites and gardens, wineries and culinary delights, world class shopping, small town treasures and lots of opportunities for family fun. Your holiday can take you from the stunning fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sunny shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

About Monty Don Author, broadcaster and writer, Monty Don designed his first garden in the early 1980�s. Prior to being appointed lead presenter on BBC�s flagship gardening programme, Gardeners� World in 2002, Monty had already gained 14 years� experience presenting gardening and other programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. He has been gardening correspondent for the Observer and, currently writes a weekly column for the Daily Mail. Monty has written 12 books including Around the World in 80 Gardens, which was a companion book to the ambitious international gardening TV series screened in 2008 by the BBC. The series featured Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia and James van Sweden�s Garden on Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.

About The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) www.NGS.org.uk The NGS, publisher of the famous annual �Yellow Book�, was founded in 1927 to raise money for the nurses of the Queen�s Nursing Institute by opening gardens of quality and interest to the public. Its success can be attributed to the clever idea of combining a nation�s obsession with gardening and natural curiosity for what�s happening on the other side of the fence, with raising money for charity. The NGS has raised almost �45 million for charity through garden admission charges and tea, cake and plant sales, together with book sales. The 2009 Yellow Book features more than 3,600 private and publicly-owned gardens and beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads � Caring for Carers.

About America As You Like It www.AmericaAsYouLikeIt.com USA specialist tour operator, America As You Like It offers tailor made fly-drive holidays across the USA, including the Nation�s most popular destinations as well as some of the �roads less travelled� and more unique areas of the country. Clients have the flexibility of arranging their own holiday itinerary, whilst being able to rely on America As You Like It�s in depth knowledge of the USA. Much of the accommodation featured by America As You Like It includes small inns, bed and breakfasts, characteristic of the local area, as well as more main-stream family friendly resorts and hotels.

About Amtrak - www.Amtrak.com Amtrak passenger rail serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states; its 21,000-mile system connects many city centres and its 18 iconic routes across the US provide unparalleled panoramas of America.

Reston Limousines - www.restonlimo.com/ToursPackages Reston Limousines handle the driving and you can drink in the scenery. This specialist ground transportation company conducts private and public tours of Virginia�s most acclaimed wineries. Your driver will be your host for the day, escorting you to the wineries in a van or bus. All you need to do is sit back, enjoy the scenery, and get ready for a truly special experience.

Eug�ne Roberts Account Director KBC PR & Marketing

Suite 3, Falmer Court, London Road, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1HN Tel: +44 (0) 1825 76 36 36 Email: eugene.roberts@kbc-pr.com Website: www.kbc-pr.com