Trio of gardens open gates to the public this Sunday

In Berwickshire, Netherbyres, half a mile south of Eyemouth, boasts its own trio of unique features: an elliptical walled garden (thought to be the only one in the world); a rose, Rosa Kiftsgate, which scrambles 40 feet into nearby trees (and is possibly the largest in the county); and a pear tree planted in 1740 which may well be the oldest fruit tree in the county. Over the years, Netherbyres’ garden openings have supported nearby Gunsgreen House, a Grade A Georgian mansion, on the harbour side of Eyemouth. Open 2pm-5pm. Admission £5 (concessions £4), children free.

A mile from Coldstream, Lennel Bank is a terraced garden overlooking the Tweed, consisting of wide borders packed with shrubs and perennial planting, some unusual. The water garden, built in 2008, is surrounded by a rockery and uses the slope to end in a pond. Since opening her garden in 2010, Honor Brown has raised a phenomenal £4,211 for the British Heart Foundation. Open 10.30am - 5pm. Admission £5.

Over in Roxburghshire, perched on a hillside on the Jedburgh side of Bonchester Bridge, is Easter Weens which its current owners are opening for the first time. The formal garden, which now features an intricate knot garden within the former stable courtyard, and the informal grounds surrounding it, were designed for the owners’ grandparents by renowned landscape designer, Percy Cane in 1958. Visitors can also enjoy the vegetable garden and woodland walks. Open 2pm-5.30pm. Admission £5 (children £1). As well as Scotland’s Gardens’ beneficiaries, monies raised also go to the Lavender Touch and Hobkirk Church.

Each of these gardens also welcomes well behaved dogs on leads.

See www.scotlandsgardens.org for further details.