The Norfolk National Gardens Scheme is encouraging visitors to “sit on a NGS garden seat this spring!” It is an opportunity for garden enthusiasts to down their own garden tools and admire other people’s hard work, involved in creating these private gardens. Since 1927 gardens of quality, character and interest have opened to raise money for the nursing, caring and gardening charities of the scheme. This year seventy five gardens in Norfolk, with fourteen new ones for 2010, all of which have the wow factor, are open, inviting you to sit back and enjoy the view.

Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Association, chairman Richard Hobbs opens his garden, 16 Witton Lane, Plumstead as the first new Norfolk NGS garden on the 11th April 2010 (11 – 4). (The Old Cottage, Colby Corner is also open). It is a small but full garden with a wide range of plants, many rare and unusual. In spring there are species tulips, daffodils, scillas, dogtooth violets and many more bulbs. Woodland plants such as trilliums and wood anemones abound. Winter flowering shrubs, climbers and evergreens provide structure for the garden which has been featured in ‘The Garden magazine’. An opportunity to share information with a member of one of the oldest horticultural societies in the country.

Richard Hobbs said “It is a great honour for any gardener to have a garden accepted for the NGS. The Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Association aims to share knowledge, promote competitive shows and encourage excellence in horticulture. This is an excellent way of achieving this while raising money for worthwhile charities”.

Norfolk NGS County organiser Anthea Foster said “Norfolk has such a diverse selection of gardens open this year. It provides a garden trail across the county, from urban to rural, formal to quirky and allotments. The garden owners work extremely hard, not only in the garden but promoting them too, providing refreshments and offering gardening advice. So sit back and enjoy the view in someone else’s garden this spring while supporting the NGS.”

Visit your local Tourist information or garden centre, nursery or open garden to pick up a Norfolk NGS Garden Guide or visit www.norfolkgardens.org. If your garden is of high quality, character and at least forty-five minutes interest visit the Norfolk NGS Team on Saturday at the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Association Spring Show, The Presidents Pavilion at the Royal Norfolk Showground on April 10th/11th 2010