FIVE gardens in the friendly village of Dinas Powys will open for the National Gardens Scheme on Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27.

All with something different to offer the garden at 1 Ashgrove is a plantaholic's garden based on permaculture principles, with many unusual perennials growing together with fruit, vegetable, a pond, woodland garden.

Brookleigh is a large garden, many specimen trees, three colourful herbaceous borders, plus a large established pond and a bog area.

18 Mill Road is an urban garden created six years ago, from what was substantially a vegetable garden. Completely replanted, although still work in progress (isn't that always the case) it is reaching a very pleasant state of maturity.

30 Millbrook Road is a large beautiful family garden developed over 25 years with established pond plus several seating areas to relax in. Planting in sun and shade, mature trees and shrubs. Carport for rain refuge.

32 Millbrook Road is a large garden consisting of many 'rooms' with quirky design features, including a caravan playhouse.

Gardens are open noon-5pm, admission £4.

The National Gardens Scheme opens thousands of outstanding gardens throughout Wales to raise money for nursing and caring charities. Most of the gardens are private and never otherwise open to visitors.