THE St Michael's Hospice Open Gardens season is in full bloom, and next weekend (June 10-11) sees its busiest period to date.

More than 20 gardens will be open to the public as two Herefordshire communities, in Dorstone and Bosbury, welcome visitors.

The two-day Dorstone Open Gardens event features a range of attractive and unusual plots, from those looking out onto rolling Herefordshire countryside, to one whose property featured in the Domesday Book.

Dorstone resident Ernest Morgan is 94 and will open his garden for St Michael's for the first time.

He is rightly proud of his patch of land, which was carved out of a field and lovingly tended to by his late wife, June.

'June died two years ago,' said Ernest.

'She loved the garden. It was her life. She was a real perfectionist.'

A neighbour asked Ernest if he would be interested in opening it up as part of the Dorstone Open Gardens weekend.

'I thought it could be called The Lost Garden of Dorstone,' he joked.

'I'll enjoy it because I like chatting to people.'

Ernest is a former schoolteacher and headmaster who taught both in Herefordshire and Northumberland over many years.

'It's great to be doing something to help St Michael's,' he added.

'I know all about the Hospice. I've visited many friends who have been there.'

Also on June 10 it is Bosbury Open Gardens between 11am - 6pm.

The gardens of a former cider house, and historic Bosbury House, are among those opening their gates during the one-day event.

• Dorstone Open Gardens 12pm - 5pm - June 10-11.

• Bosbury Open Gardens 11am - 6pm - June 10.

For full details, visit st-michaels-hospice.org.uk

And as if that isn't enough, the annual Hellens Garden Festival is held across both days of the same weekend.

Plant stalls, artisan crafts, live music and demonstrations are just some of the attractions at the picturesque rural venue in Much Marcle. The event raises funds for St Michael's.

Visit hellensgardenfestival.co.uk