JUNE has been a great month for the National Garden Scheme in Powys, with a host of gardens across Radnorshire opening their gates to visitors this weekend.

The NGS have had gardens open each weekend, raising thousands of pounds for nursing and health charities as well as enabling hundreds of people to enjoy being outdoors surrounded by wonderful countryside.

It is well known that gardens are good for you and in Powys there are gardens of many different styles, from formal grand gardens to cottage gardens to naturalistic wild gardens and some gardens that manage to include a whole range of styles – so, whatever your preference, there is something for you.

This is especially true when there are a village of gardens like at New Radnor this coming weekend.

The garden at The Hymns, reclaimed from the wild using locally grown plants and seeds, is designed for all the senses so enjoy the sights, sounds and scents as you wander through this garden that has inspired artists and soothed souls.

The garden is in Walton, Presteigne (LD8 2RA) and is open on both Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26, from 10.30am to 5pm. Admission is £5 for adults, children free.

Neighbours at 1 Ystrad House and No2 The Old Coach House in Church Road, Knighton (LD7 1EB), invite you to explore their gardens this weekend. 1 Ystrad House is a garden of calm and timelessness where formal areas merge into riverside woodland whereas the Old Coach House boasts borders of colourful perennials and an archway of clematis.

The gardens are open on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Admission is £5 for adults, children free.

A group of gardens in the Conservation Village of New Radnor (LD8 2SP) will be open on Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Almost all gardens have been long established, but present owners have re-planned the spaces, adding specialist roses, cordon fruit bushes, shrubs, perennials, garden ornamentation, seating areas and vegetable plots.

Included for the first time this year is a garden about a quarter of a mile walk away with magnificent views and a wonderful bonsai collection. These old gardens are forever new and havens for wildlife. Admission £6 adults, children free for entry to all the gardens.

The money raised from these garden openings will go to fund nursing and caring charities supported by the National Garden Scheme, including Macmillan, Marie Curie, the Queen’s Nursing Institute, Hospice UK and Carers Trust.