GREEN-FINGERED residents in Teignbridge with gardens they want to show off are being sought by a Devon hospice charity.

This summer will once again see Hospiscare teaming up with local residents who open their gardens in support of what is now a favourite event in the charity’s calendar.

Hospiscare Open Gardens will take place from the start of May and registration is now open for local gardeners to join the programme and show off their horticultural skills and share their outdoor spaces with others. The charity would also like to hear from anyone who would like to run a plant stall, conduct private garden tours or sell their surplus vegetables and flowers for a donation.

Community fundraiser, Susie Healey, said: ‘We already have 20 gardens signed up for this year’s event and would obviously love more to join in.

‘Last year’s event was, for obvious reasons, a challenge to say the least. We had to implement numerous changes that involved virtual tours and plant sales, alongside some gardens opening to the public later in the season.

‘However, despite the challenges that 2020 brought ,the gardens raised an amazing £23,662 for patients living with a terminal illness and their families.’

The local hospice charity for Exeter, Mid and East Devon, cares for more than 2,000 patients and their families every year. Hospiscare relies upon the support of its community through events such as Open Gardens in order to raise the funding needed to provide their vital care at no cost to the patient.

A huge share of the appeal of Open Gardens lies in the variation that can be found from one garden to the next, allowing visitors with different tastes to find something they love and can potentially aspire to.

From the grandeur of a country estate to the smaller, but equally well cared for, urban gardens on display, Hospiscare Open Gardens lets keen gardeners show off their flora to a knowledegable and appreciative audience.

Susie added: ’We are looking forward to the return of many beautiful gardens this summer year and to welcoming new supporters wishing to open their garden gate to help local patients and their families.’

If you would like to join Hospiscare Open Gardens for 2021, please call 01392 688020 or email [email protected].