Charity-conscious gardeners throughout the region have been working flat-out to save their gardens after plants were almost drowned in the wettest June on record.

Sixteen garden owners open their gates to the army of garden visitors in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Worcestershire this weekend in a bid to raise cash for their favourite charities.

But for some it is a race against time to sort out their colourful creations in time for the openings tomorrow and on Sunday.

Read the full story in today’s Express & Star.Charity-conscious gardeners throughout the region have been working flat-out to save their gardens after plants were almost drowned in the wettest June on record.

Sixteen garden owners open their gates to the army of garden visitors in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Worcestershire this weekend in a bid to raise cash for their favourite charities.

But for some it is a race against time to sort out their colourful creations in time for the openings tomorrow and on Sunday.

They agreed to opening dates many months ago and therefore have to open whatever the weather.

Two gardeners in the Penn district of Wolverhampton open for the local church, St Bartholomew’s, and hope that the weather will hold off for visitors tomorrow and Sunday afternoons.

John Botfield (pictured) has created an attractive garden with lots of fine shrubs and good perennial plantings at his garden at Church Hill.

And around the corner in Vicarage Road Ann Quigley opens her professionally designed back garden full of fine plants to help church funds.

The two gardens are open as part of St Bartholomew’s Flower Festival. There are many other gardeners working flat-out for weekend openings.

At Westacres at Prestwood on the Wall Heath-Stourton road Joyce Williams opens her garden for the National Gardens Scheme for the first time. She has collections of ferns, hostas and many other plants.

Click here to compare mortgage rates