The low-down

The weather has been so diverse these past couple of months, and it is hard to believe that in April plants were coming into flower too quickly, seed development speeded up by the hot dry conditions.

Farmland was riven with cracks and we were desperate for a good dousing of rain. Just not on a Bank Holiday Monday when thoughts of sun had encouraged plans of lawn trimming and barbecues.

Gardens have really benefited from this mild, damp weather and beds and borders are filling with lush green growth and plenty of flowers. The first rose is out in our garden. Pink Perpetue, a climber, came into bloom this week, the perfect pink flower sunning itself against the old red brick wall it grows against.

Hardy geraniums continue to make their mark in the early summer garden. Phaeum and Beth Chatto are beginning to go over, as is the amazing Spring Fling, which is such a good plant when the new growth makes a patch of pale pink, cream and green in March.

Now the low-growing Geranium sanguineum var. striatum is opening its first flowers above the mat of deeply cut, dark-green leaves. The flowers are lovely, quite large for the size of the plant and clear pink with darker veins. Mine grows in a well-drained spot at the front of a semi-shaded border, where it mingles with blue forget-me-nots.

Another low-growing plant now in full bloom is the pink and white daisy Erigeron karvinskianus, a perennial with small, slightly hairy leaves and masses of yellow-centred flowers that open white then turn pink with age. It is apparently not very hardy, but mine has survived several moves and still comes up each year, self-seeding occasionally but not problematically.

This little fleabane likes a well-drained soil in a sunny spot, although I have one self-seeded in a container in light shade. The growth is less dense and flowers not so prolific as they would be in full sun, but nevertheless it has come into bloom annually for several years.

Garden news

BRUNSWICK organic nursery and craft workshop is having its annual open day tomorrow from 11am to 4pm, at Appleton Road in Bishopthorpe.

There will be plenty for visitors to see and do with games, live music, tombola and pond dipping on offer, as well as a wide range of plants on sale. Advice on organic growing methods and pest control will also be available and home made salads, savouries and cakes will be on sale in the café.

Brunswick is a local charity running a productive workplace for adults with learning difficulties. The site in Bishopthorpe has been developed with the help of many local organisations and a grant from the Community Fund.

Recent improvements include better standing-out beds in the plant selling area, a new net sided poly-tunnel and the expanded shop, which now sells local products such as jams, juices, seeds and composts.

Plant highlights this year include dianthus, French lavender, verbenas including Peach Lanai, Laurentia and pink-flowered Gaura, as well as bedding, herbs, perennials, vegetable plants and annuals.

Weekend catch-up

KEEP tying sweet peas to their supports and snip off tendrils not needed for clinging to stop them from getting entangled in flower stems and leaves. Once they have started up their canes, sweet peas put on growth very quickly as they pull themselves up. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for slugs and snails now that the soil is damp again, especially if the plants are still small.

Gardening TV and radio

Tomorrow

8am, Radio Humberside, The Great Outdoors.

9am, Radio Leeds, gardening with Tim Crowther and Joe Maiden.

2pm, BBC Radio 4, Gardeners' Question Time. From the Hay Festival with Chris Beardshaw, John Cushnie, Bob Flowerdew and chairman Eric Robson. The gardening weather forecast is at 2.25pm.

2.45pm, BBC Radio 4, Five Gardens Of Germany. Susan Marling visits Linderhof in Bavaria.

Friday

8.30pm, BBC2, Gardeners' World. Monty plants out annual climbers, Carol looks at culinary herbs and Joe visits Barnsdale, the home of the late Geoff Hamilton.

Open gardens

Today

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Nawton Tower Garden, Nawton, turn off the A170 at Beadlam between Helmsley and Nawton village to Nawton Tower. Large garden with grass walks, slopes and steps between a collection of heathers, rhododendrons, azaleas, shrubs, bluebells and trees. Open 2pm to 6pm. Admission £1.50 adult. Also open tomorrow.

Pennyholme, Fadmoor, turn off the A170 between Kirkbymoorside and Nawton signed Sleightholmedale and cross three cattle grids. Ten-acre garden in a river and dale setting with rhododendrons and azaleas in a mature oak wood walk. Also roses, mixed border and tree and wildlife gardens. Within visiting distance of Sleightholmedale Lodge, see below. Open 1pm to 6pm. Admission £3 adult.

Sleightholmedale Lodge, Fadmoor. Hillside garden with a walled rose garden and herbaceous borders. Within visiting distance of Pennyholme, see above. Open 1pm to 6pm. Admission £3 adult.

130 Prince Rupert Drive, Tockwith, off the B1224 Wetherby-York road. Half-acre garden planted for year-round interest with gravel path connected beds, rock, bog and kitchen gardens, pergola and pond, glass and shade houses and small nursery. Many plants grown from seed. Open 1pm to 5pm. Admission £2.50 adult.

Tomorrow

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

The Court, Humber Road, North Ferriby, seven miles west of Hull. Secluded garden with a laburnum and wisteria tunnel leading to a shady woodland area, pond and waterfall, hidden seating areas, courtyards and a pretty potty patio'. Local hand-made pottery on sale. Open 1pm to 5pm. Admission £2.

Hunmanby Grange, www.hunmanbygrange.co.uk Wold Newton, 12.5miles south east of Scarborough off the Burton Fleming-Fordon road. Three-acre garden created from an exposed open field now with hedges and fencing providing shelter for a series of gardens. There are planted for year round interest with seasonal highlights. Nursery open. Open 11am to 5pm. Admission £2.50 adult. Also open on Wednesday.

Nawton Tower Garden. Details above.

Rye Hill, Station Road, Helmsley, in the centre of the town. Garden divided into compartments intensively planted with unusual plants for year round interest and colour. Tender species are kept in a conservatory and there are new projects each year. Open 2pm to 5pm. Admission £2.50 adult.

26, West End, Walkington, two miles south west of Beverley on the B1230. One-acre cottage garden with many rare plants collected over 20 years and an old wooded gravel pit still being developed. Open 1.30pm to 5pm. Admission £3 adult.

Wednesday

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Hunmanby Grange, details above.

Londesborough Cross, Shiptonthorpe, turn off the A1079 York-Hull road at the church in Shiptonthorpe. Former railway goods yard transformed into a garden with borders, scree and rock gardens, bog area, pergola and arches planted with clematis and hostas and a woodland garden with hardy ferns and other shade loving species. Open 1pm to 4pm. Admission £3 adult.

Percevall Hall Gardens, Skyeholme, off the B6265 Pateley Bridge to Grassington road. Peaceful 16-acre garden in beautiful Wharfedale with mixed woodland, terrace, rose and rock gardens, borders, tender shrubs, birds and old orchard for picnics. The tranquil setting is also home to a retreat in the grounds. Open 10am to 6pm. Admission £5 adult, 75p child. Open daily (not for the NGS) April 1 to October 31, 10am to 5pm.