Gardens to delight in all shapes and sizes

YOU don’t have to go far at this time of the year to spot a yellow “Garden Open” sign by the roadside.

These point the way to some of the 500 gardens of all styles and sizes that are open in aid of charity.

Their owners will have spent weeks of weeding, watering, hedge trimming and mowing to ensure not a single blade of grass is out of place on the one day of the year when they throw open the garden gate and invite in the public.

It may be hard work, but going by the numbers of gardeners who do it year after year, it’s also fun.

Last year one beneficiary, Perennial, received £42,000 out of the total raised by all the tickets sold and by the teas that are an essential part of the garden-visiting experience.

This money has allowed the UK’S only charity dedicated to those working in the horticultural industry to keep a caseworker on the road in Scotland and to help fund the debt advisors and other support staff who provide assistance during times of difficulty.

I can’t resist a Garden Open sign and over the years I’ve seen astonishing small plots, sweeping estates, city gardens and suburban spreads that are all testament to their owners’ love of gardening.

Usually I come home with ideas and a few pots from the plant stall and I’ve had my eyes opened to several new styles and the latest thinking on gardening for wildlife.

Would I do it myself? Well I might if my garden is ever finished and provided that visitors don’t mind negotiating a steep slope.

And it would be nice if I could persuade a few of my neighbours to do it, too.

Some of my favourite openings have been in villages where lots of garden owners have come together to welcome in visitors on the same day.

In recent years an increasing number of allotments and community gardens have joined in and these are often vibrant, lively spaces that are great fun to visit.

To find out if there are open gardens near you then just keep your eyes peeled for those yellow road signs.

You can also visit scotlandsgardens.org

And there’s a guidebook which appears in February and carries listings of all the gardens open across the year.

And you could even open your own garden. It doesn’t need to be huge, in fact small gardens are some of the most popular with visitors. Just be warned – it can be addictive.

“Every time I do it I collapse into bed that night vowing that that’s the last time,” one owner told me.

“Then around November I start thinking that it would be a good idea again. Before I know it, my name’s in the book for the following year.”

So if you are out and about this summer then why not visit a few open gardens on your travels? You are guaranteed to be delighted and inspired.