Flower power on show near Clovenfords this weekend

The garden of Laidlawstiel House will be a riot of rhododendrons and azaleas when it opens for charity on Sunday under Scotland’s Gardens initiative.

Dozens of owners of castles, stately homes and other properties with gardens of note are opening to the public, including Berersyde and Harmony House, both near Melrose, and Floors Castle, close to Kelso.

And all the proceeds raised will go to good causes, including the National Trust, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres and the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland.

Near Clovenfords, the garden at Laidlawstiel House offers views down to the River Tweed.

Laidlawstiel’s current owners garden organically and grow a mixture of flowers, vegetables and fruit. It is just one of the gardens in Berwickshire, Ettrick & Lauderdale and Roxburghshire, that are opening their gates on specific dates over the summer.

The herbaceous borders in the walled garden will also be bursting into life alongside an orchard and vegetables in raised beds. Full details of all garden openings, including admission charges and opening hours are on Scotland’s Gardens’ website, www.scotlandsgardens.org