Visit an Open Garden in June and get snapping! The National Garden Scheme annual photography competition in association with BBC Gardener’s World is underway, and amateur photographers and garden enthusiasts are invited to take photographs at National Garden Scheme garden openings taking place up to 28th August. There are six categories to enter, including Garden Wildlife, Beautiful Garden Views and BBC Gardener’s World Magazine: Fantastic Flowers, from which the winning image will appear in the magazine’s 2019 calendar. To enter visit www.ngs.org.uk/photo. Here are the local gardens welcoming visitors in June:
Ossington Gardens
Hopbine Farmhouse and Ossington House NG23 6LJ
Sunday 17th June
2.00pm to 5.00pm
Two gardens set in the village of Ossington; Hopbine Farmhouse is a small but full garden with interesting and unusual plants with collections of salvia, clematis and cranesbills, diamond bed with unusual colour combinations and small walled garden. Ossington House is a lovely mix of formal and informal gardens, with poolside planting, orchard, kitchen garden, terraces and yews, together with grasses, ferns and herbaceous perennials. Plants for sale, teas, parking, wheelchair access.
Bolham Manor
Bolham Way, Retford DN22 9JG
Sunday 24th June
12.00pm to 4.00pm
Much loved three-acre garden with mature specimen trees and wildflower borders, magnificent climbing roses and interesting terraced planting, croquet lawn, ponds and cave. Plants for sale, wheelchair access, teas.
Norwell Gardens
Newark NG23 6JX
Sunday 24th June
1.00pm to 5.00pm
Wednesday 27th June
6.30pm to 9.00pm
Altogether eight gardens, including a nursery and fabulous allotments to explore, in this English countryside village. A plethora of breath-taking village gardens showing the diversity of a cottage garden. The medieval church will also be open. Plants for sale, teas, wheelchair access, parking.
Askham Gardens
Markham Moor, Retford NG22 0RP
Sunday 24th June
2.00pm to 6.00pm
Variety of pleasant English village gardens with a flower festival in the church, including a plantsman’s garden, a cottage garden and a large village garden. Plants for sale, teas at Manor Lodge, dog friendly.
The Old Vicarage
Halam NG22 8AX
Saturday 30th June
1.00pm to 4.30pm
An artfully planted large garden on hillside, planted for design, texture and colour with unusual plants. The 12th century church will also be open in village with a rare 14th century glass window. Plants for sale, parking, teas and dog friendly.