THE four-acre garden of Skipwith Hall, Skipwith, near Selby, is opening twice this summer in aid of the National Gardens Scheme, first on June 17 from 1pm to 5pm, then on August 29 from 11am to 4pm.

This month the garden is filled with roses and peonies, while in August the show will be dominated by salvias and dahlias.

Over the winter months special attention has been paid to the front of the walled gardens to the Grade II manor house. The ancient mulberry now sits within recreated formal borders with yew.

The woodland and the orchard can be explored by following paths cut from the swathes of grasses and meadow flowers. The pear walk is bordered by fruiting wild strawberries and the espaliers and fans on the orchard walls, after careful nurture over the winter, are laden with almonds and apricots as well as peaches. The kitchen garden with its cutting borders and maze of herbs is just coming into flower.

At each NGS day, a plant stall will be provided by Rona Ashworth, of Mount Pleasant Plants, of Leavening, selling a wide selection of herbaceous perennials.

Homemade teas will be available, in aid of St Helen’s Church, Skipwith, and entry is £4 for adults, free for children.

This year’s garden fete at Skipwith Hall in aid of St Helen’s Church will be held on June 23 at 2.30pm and will be opened by the Reverend Richard Kirkman.