THREE couples have created three garden havens on the edge of Worcestershire. Together Saranacris, number 24 Braces Lane and Oak Tree House, just north of Bromsgrove in Lower Marlbrook, make up the Marlbrook Gardens.

The trio open to the public just a few days a year and offer an attainable tranquillity, not to mention varying gardening styles, a wide range of plants and water features.

Janet and John Morgan own Saranacris, a challenging terraced garden in an old sand quarry, on Braces Lane.

The couple began landscaping their garden a decade ago and it now boasts a roof garden, Koi pools, herbaceous borders and mature trees. “I can’t say gardening has been a lifelong hobby,” said Mr Morgan, “but I’ve certainly been interested since I was young.

“We started seriously about 10 years ago, after the children had all grown up. We met our neighbours, Alan and Lynn Noaks, in 2003 and realised we both had ambitions to open our gardens to the public.”

Mr Morgan described his neighbour, Mr Noaks, as “the catalyst”. They soon joined the National Garden Scheme (NGS) and, in 2006, were joined by Mr Morgan’s brother Dave and his wife Di Morgan.

The Noaks’ garden, 24 Braces Lane, is gently sloping with mediterranean patio and a stream. Dave and Di Morgan, who live just around the corner in Birmingham Road, own Oak Tree House, described as a wellstocked plantsman’s cottage garden on two levels.

“There has to be a certain amount of ego about it,” said Mr Morgan.

“Even if you don’t like to admit it, you want to show off. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t work so hard to perfect the garden.

“I think I speak for us all when I say we all desire to share something and we all believe our gardens are worth sharing.”

All money from entry fees and plant sales are donated to the NGS charities, plus County Air Ambulance, and Christ Church Catshill Restoration Appeal.

On Sunday, August 17, in partnership with Number Nine The Gallery in Brindley Place, Birmingham, a handful of artists will exhibit sculptures in the gardens.

In September, the Marlbrook trio will open from 6pm to 10pm and will be illuminated at dusk.

“We did it for the first time last year,” said Mr Morgan. “Visitors often spend a few hours wandering through all three. They’ll do them all during daylight and again once the sun has set.”

For more, go to marlbrookgardens.com.

GARDEN TO VISIT

Red House Farm, Flying Horse Lane, Bradley Green, B96 6QT redhousefarmgardenand nursery.co.uk or 01527 821269. Admission £2, children free. Open Thursday, August 21 between 10am and 5pm. Paths wind through borders planted with mature trees, shrubs, roses, climbers, herbaceous perennials and spring bulbs.