To encourage children to have a love of all things green, there really is nothing better than experiencing flowers, plants and trees at first hand, and a good place to start is Greenways, the home of Jenny and Roger Lloyd at 82 Knutsford Road, Alderley Edge.
Their 1.5 acre garden will be open from 2-6pm, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July; admission £4, children free.
Visitors will be able to see over 400 named varieties of plants. "I'm a self-confessed obsessive plant collector," says Roger, "and the garden is very much a personal collection of the unusual and familiar".
As in previous years, there is a children's quiz. This year the children are given a map of the garden with a list of cryptic clues to hidden objects which they mark off on the map when found. For example, "where can you find a dinosaur egg", "a fish out of water" or "frogs on tap". There is a treat for every child who has a go.
Homemade afternoon teas are available and there will be an exhibition of African granite art, displayed in conjunction with Chique Afrique, of Mobberley.
There are many other NGS gardens that cater for children. Visit the 'Gardens for children's page' on the NGS website to download a Garden Activity Sheet featuring the CBeebies television characters, the Numberjacks.
Greenways is a member of the National Gardens Scheme. From entrance money at the garden gate, the NGS supports many nursing and caring causes including Macmillan Cancer Support and Carers Trust.
George Plumptre, NGS Chief Executive, says "We are looking to entertain many young visitors to NGS gardens over the summer holidays, and hope that by doing so we will be helping to create the next generation of gardeners and garden lovers."
Guest post by Graham Beech.
