THE gloriously scented and colourful combination of lavender and roses are cornerstones of many gardens and June is the month to enjoy them.

This weekend there are six Powys gardens open for the National Garden Scheme from Llanymynech in the north to Brecon in the south; so whether ‘dad’ is an allotment ace, a horticultural hero or simply a cake connoisseur, why not treat him to a garden visit over Father’s Day weekend – children go free?

On both Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, Tremynfa and Church House are open. Tremynfa in Carreghofa Lane, Llanymynech, SY22 6LA is open from 1 until 5pm on both days, admission is £4, children free.

This sloping one acre garden has been developed around an old railway cottage. Arches support roses are in profusion and the patio and other seating areas allow enjoyment of different vistas including Llanymynech Rocks.

New to the National Garden Scheme, Church House at Llandefalle, Brecon LD3 0ND is an acre garden skilfully landscaped in the 1980s to provide terraces and generous borders more recent additions include a pond, herb garden and a rill. The garden is open from 2 until 5.30pm, admission is £4.

On Sunday, June 16, there are four more gardens for you to enjoy. Simon Cain at Hurdley Hall says "Roses and lavender are just coming into flower and will be at their best on Sunday".

This wonderful two acre garden is set around a 17th century house and has an additional 18 acres of wild life meadow, orchards, pastures and woodland. Adjoining the Roundton Hill National Nature Reserve, Hurdley Hall is 2m east of Churchstoke at Hurdley (SY15 6DY). The gardens are open from 10.30am until 5pm, admission is £5.

New to the National Garden Scheme is Cwm Carnedd Isaf at Dolfach, Llanbrynmair, SY19 7AF. A quiet country garden, with scenic views, surrounded by pasture land and near to Glyndwr Way, surrounds a recently renovated barn.

Enclosed in the stone walls you will find herbaceous and mixed borders, a gravel garden with pots, fish pond, raised vegetable beds, soft fruit cage, and paddock with orchard and fernery. The garden is open on Sunday from 1.30pm to 5pm, admission £4.

An old favourite, Tyn y Cwm at Beulah, Llanwrtyd Wells, LD5 4TS, is open from 2pm until 5.30pm on Sunday, admission £4.

A gravel path through a pergola covered in roses leads to the summer house where you can sit and admire the raised beds filled with mixed vegetables, fruit and flowers.

Also open on Sunday is Hill House Farm off the A4113 4m from Knighton (LD7 1NA) a 5 acre south facing garden developed over 50 years, set in magnificent hilly countryside. Mown paths lead through shrubs, roses and specimen trees down to the half acre Oak Pool 200ft below. Open from 2 to 5pm, admission £5.

There are also gardens which will open by arrangement providing visitors with an exclusive opportunity to explore wonderful gardens set in stunning locations, all you need to do is contact the owner and arrange a time to suit you.

Remember that when visiting a garden open through National Garden Scheme you not only have an opportunity to enjoy a great garden and great cake, but you are also helping to raise funds for Nursing and Health charities such as Hospice UK, Macmillan, Marie Curie and our new guest charity Mind.

GARDENS OPEN BY ARRANGEMENT:

Apr-Aug: ABERNANT, Garthmyl, SY15 6RZ Mrs BM Gleave: 01686 640494, john.gleave@mac.com

Apr-Jun: GORSTY HOUSE, Hyssington, SY15 6AT Gary & Annie Frost

01588 620953 frostiesuk@msn.com

Apr-Nov: HEBRON, Knighton, LD7 1HP Kevin Collins & Anita Lewis

01547 529576 kd.collins@hotmail.co.uk

All Year: LLYSDINAM, Newbridge-on-Wye, LD1 6NB

Mary Elster: 01597 860190 llethr@outlook.com

Apr-Nov: PLAS DINAM, Llandinam, SY17 5DQ

Eldrydd Lamp, 07415 503554, eldrydd@plasdinam.co.uk

Apr-Sep: PONT FAEN HOUSE, Farrington Lane, Knighton, LD7 1LA

Mr John & Mrs Brenda Morgan, 01547 520847

May-Sep: 1 CHURCH BANK, Welshpool, SY21 7DR Mel & Heather Parkes

01938 559112, melandheather@live.co.uk

May-Sep: TRANQUILLITY HAVEN, Whitton, LD7 1NJ Val Brown

01547 560070 valerie.brown1502@gmail.com

May-Sep: WHITE HOPTON FARM, Sarn SY16 4EN Claire Austin

01686 670342 enquiries@claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk

Jun-Jul: HURDLEY HALL, Churchstoke, SY15 6DY Simon Cain & Simon Quin

07958915115 simon.cain@westbourneconsulting.com

Jun-Jul: THE HYMNS, Presteigne, LD8 2RA E Passey

07958 762362 thehymns@hotmail.com

Jun-Sep: 1 YSTRAD HOUSE, Knighton, LD7 1EB John & Margaret Davis

01547 528154 jamdavis@ystradhouse.plus.com

Jun-Aug: TYN Y CWM, Beulah, LD5 4TS Steve & Christine Carrow

01591 620461 stevetynycwm@hotmail.co.uk

Jun-Sep: THE NEUADD, Llanbedr, NP8 1SP Robin & Philippa Herbert

01873 812164 philippahherbert@gmail.com

Jul: BRONIARTH HALL, Guilsfield, SY21 9DW Mrs Janet Powell

01938 500639 janet09br@hotmail.co.uk

Ends

For more information, high resolution images or to interview a spokesperson, please contact Helen Anthony (Publicity Officer) by emailing powys.ngs.publicity@gmail.com or calling 01686 941795

NOTES TO EDITOR

About National Garden Scheme

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors we have donated a total of £58 million to nursing and health charities, and made donations of £3.1 million in 2018. Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, we are now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK and our beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – we are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. We fund projects which promote gardens and gardening as therapy, and in 2017, we launched our annual Gardens and Health Week to raise awareness of the topic.

To find your perfect garden, visit ngs.org.uk, download the National Garden Scheme app or purchase the National Garden Scheme’s Garden Visitor’s Handbook, which is published annually and available via ngs.org.uk/shop and at all good book retailers.