Great gardens are Easter treat

Keen gardeners have the chance to visit a variety of locations over the Easter weekend – with an arboretum, botanical gardens and a private garden available for enthusiasts.

Many people flock to the Bodenham Arboretum and Earth Centre at Wolverley, near Kidderminster, to enjoy bulbs, blossom and the unfurling leaves of the huge tree collection.

The trees are planted on the hillsides and along the many pools in the valley just up the road from Wolverley village – in a collection which has won national acclaim and awards. Run by David Binnian and his family, it is a Mecca for many people who are interested in giving the family a taste of the countryside, exotic plantings and poolside walks.

It has many attractive spring flowering trees and shrubs and many daffodils throughout the huge site.

A section of the attraction is a working farm with spring lambs, interesting fowl and other animals to see. A few miles away, at Whitlenge Gardens at Hartlebury, near Kidderminster, Keith and Francesca Southall have created a stunning multi-interest garden, which is improved year after year.

The garden has over 600 varieties of trees and shrubs and has excellent gravel gardens and water features.

It also has a plantsman's garden with an adjacent nursery which specialises in large specimen shrubs.

Also open over the weekend is the Birmingham Botanical Gardens where there are special children's events to celebrate the Easter holidays. Gardens open and worth a visit during the holidays include:

* Bodenham Arboretum and Earth Centre, Wolverley, near Kidderminister. Open Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11-5pm. Admission £5, children £2.

* Whitlenge Gardens, Whitlenge, Hartlebury, near Kidderminister. A garden full of interesting trees and shrubs. Admission daily, open for the National Gardens Scheme, from 10-5pm.

* Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston. Open 10am-5pm daily.