Colourful gardens reopening as part of the National Garden Scheme
Colourful gardens across the West Midlands and beyond have been put on display for visitors amid coronavirus.
Green spaces which are part of the National Garden Scheme are allowing visitors in – but only if you have a pre-booked ticket.
It comes as part of measures drawn up to help minimise the spread of the pandemic – but also allowing people to see the colourful gardens.
People living in Staffordshire will be able to visit Yew Tree Cottage, on Long Lane, in Haughton, on July 16 from 10.30am to 4am.
It will allow visitors to feast their eyes on a garden brimming with unusual plants – including Meconopsis, best known as blue poppies.
Trilliums – also known as birthroots – also features in the green space which has been developed by a member of the Hardy Plant Society.
The space has previously been covered on BBC Gardeners' World. Tickets cost £3.50 for adults with children going free.
Elsewhere, in Stourport, in the Wyre Forest District, a tropical garden is opening up on July 19 – with an additional viewing the following day.
The green space features palms from around the world – along with tree ferns and other strange and unusual plants for warmer climates.
The centrepiece of the garden, based on Oakhampton Road, is a pond and small waterfall alongside the plants normally considered difficult grow in this country.
Two more viewings are available on August 30 and the following day, with all visits carried out between 10am to 6.30pm. Tickets cost £4.50 for adults.
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A garden on the edge of Catherton Common in Shropshire, close to the border with the Wyre District, will be unveiled this Sunday.
The Upper Marshes green space features herbaceous borders, a vegetable plot and a herb garden – leading down to a spring-fed wildlife pond.
People can book in advance – with tickets costing £5 for an adult and children visiting free when accompanied by one adult. Timeslots are available at 11am, 12.45pm and at 2.30pm.
Ruthall Manor at Ditton Priors, near Bridgnorth, features a country garden with many interesting shrubs and trees, beautifully planted and colourful.
It will open up on July 11 and July 12 – with visitors also able to stop in at Sambrook Manor near Newport on July 19 and enjoy its elegantly planted garden with lots of roses, oriental garden, arboretum, sweeping lawns.
Gardens will not offer teas or other refreshments, but people will be allowed to bring their own picnics at certain gardens.
Buildings will be closed and access to toilets will only be provided in an emergency, as long as it does not involve access to a house.
Money raised through gardens reopening will go to the National Garden Scheme's Help Support Our Nurses campaign.
For more information, visit ngs.org.uk/product-category/garden-tickets/
