Gardening diary for march.

(From Leicester Mercury)

Visitors to gardens in Leicestershire and Rutland which opened their gates in 2008, helped to raise GBP20,134 for National Gardens Scheme charities, and a further GBP1,663 for local charities too.

The 2009 edition of the famous Yellow Book, the NGS directory of open gardens all over Britain, and the garden visitor' s "bible'', lists 37 gardens in our two counties, including a number of new venues, open between March and October this year.

Many are open on specific dates, mainly at weekends. Others such as Barnsdale, Belgrave Hall, Leicester University Botanic Gardens, Long Close in Woodhouse Eaves, and Whatton Gardens are open to the public at various times throughout the season, while a number of private gardens open by appointment only, and often cater for group visits.

Village garden openings never fail to represent good value for visitors, with several gardens on view, often offering a wide variety of styles and planting. Gilmorton, South Kilworth, Barleythorpe, Burbage and Walton are established favourites, while Lyndon in Rutland and Owston, in east Leicestershire are holding NGS open gardens events for the first time this year.

Lyndon will have two south facing gardens open, and also the village 12th century church, for an evening event on June 24. Parsons Orchard is a half acre plot with shrubs, mixed borders, scented and old-fashioned roses and peaceful corners, while The Post House is a small, stylish contemporary garden designed with emphasis on foliage and year round interest.

In Owston, there is also an evening opening, on Saturday, July 18. The two gardens open will be Brickyard Farm, which has an alpine and conifer walk and a small arboretum, and Little Butt, an evolving garden with a paved courtyard based on Islamic traditions. ...