THE gates to around 20 colourful gardens, including one created by the late Boxford lily specialist, Jenny Robinson, will be flung open to the public this summer.

The 16th annual Boxford Gardens Open Day – scheduled to take place on June 2 – is being organised by garden designer Angela Tolputt, who lives in the village.

She said the specimens grown by Ms Robinson at her Chequers home were so important that when she died three years ago at the age of 94 and her house went up for sale, some of her plants were taken to be preserved in Kew Gardens. Ms Robinson’s floral expertise also featured in a book called An Englishwoman’s Garden published in 1980.

Also on show during the event will be the courtyard Swan Street garden of Maggie Thorpe, former chairman of Suffolk Plant Heritage. Among many other fine specimens, the garden features a climbing Rosa ‘Veilchenblau’, the wonderfully-scented honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum ‘Belgica’ and beds brimming with delphiniums.

Mrs Tolputt said: “We are delighted to have between 15 and 20 gardens that will be open for public view. Their owners are working very hard now spring is finally here. All the gardens are beautiful to explore, and we find we get visitors coming year after year to see them.” The event runs from 11am to 5pm and a £4.50 fee for the whole event will go to St Mary’s Church fund.