I had a real treat last Wednesday, I took a day off work to go and photograph a garden which opens for the National Garden Scheme.

White Barn in Ringwood is owned by Marilyn and Barrie Knight and is an absolutely beautiful garden. They very kindly open their garden for the NGS every Wednesday, 10.30 to 5, from May until the end of July.

The garden which measures ¾ of an acre, is beautifully laid out with focal points around the garden and views of the country side. The garden nestles perfectly in its tranquil surroundings, on the edge of the New Forest National Park.

The borders and beds are burgeoning with cottage garden favourites and at this time of year, the roses and clematis, of which there are 250 plus, are looking amazing, with the hollyhocks just about to look their best.

The garden has been planted so that there is always something new in flower to look at and many people, who visit the garden, make several visits during the open season to enjoy the wide variety of plants, from the spring bulbs and flowers in May, to the hundreds of summer shrubs and perennials in June and July.

Marilyn, Barrie and their helpers, make you feel most welcome and are only too happy to show you around the garden and point out the plants which are looking their best.

They serve refreshments during the day and I can highly recommend the cake.

So if you have a free Wednesday between now and 27 July, do pay them a visit, you won’t be disappointed, it truly is a lovely garden.

You can find details of this and other local gardens open for the National Garden Scheme, on the NGS website and in The Yellow Book.