VISITORS can enjoy glorious gardens in the Herefordshire village of Putley on Saturday, May 12 and there's every chance they will find the place "pretty in pink."

Gardeners are already busy preparing for the fourth annual Open Gardens in the idyllic village near Ledbury. A sixth garden will be joining in this year, adding to the variety which includes a garden laid out in the 1920s, with its stunning rhododendrons and azaleas; a lovingly-tended cottage garden; a beautifully laid-out quarter-acre plot with themed borders; gardens with a proliferation of roses, wisteria and clematis and some with their deliberate "wild" corners with bluebells and cowslips. Putley is surrounded by orchards, so an additional treat may well be the sight of the cider apple trees covered in a marvellous mass of pink blossom.

The event attracts garden enthusiasts from far and wide and benefits from the happy coincidence of being held over the same weekend as the Malvern Spring Festival. "Last year, we were absolutely delighted to discover that many of our visitors were staying in the area for the Spring Festival and, as we are only a 25-minute drive away, they had added our little village's Open Gardens to their itinerary. It's a happy coincidence we weren't prepared for," said organiser Tim Beaumont. "But we're hoping it might be repeated!"

Visitors to Putley Open Gardens are also encouraged to explore delightfully-situated Putley Church. The carefully tended churchyard warrants a visit, with its unusual oak and teak War Memorial, a very fine medieval Preaching Cross, specimen trees, the possibility of emerging wild flowers and entrancing views over the adjacent duck pond.

The gardens and church are accessible by well-marked footpaths through the orchards and pastures, providing a chance for visitors to experience Putley's beautiful countryside, wild flowers and wildlife as well as the gardens themselves.

The event is being held to support the upkeep of the parish hall and church and everything starts (and finishes) at Putley Parish Hall, HR8 2QN, where there is car parking, tickets, teas, tombola and plant sales. Gardens are open from noon until 5.30pm; entrance is £5 per person; children under 15 are free. Dogs are not allowed in the gardens.

For more information visit putleygardens.org.uk. Follow Putley Open Gardens on Facebook at facebook.com/putleyopengardens/