Secret gardens celebrated in Liverpool

16:38 24th June 2008

Some of the most picturesque private gardens in Liverpool are to be opened up to the public for the first time.

This Sunday (June 29th), some of the city's hitherto hidden gems - along with 90 allotments and their greenhouses - will be exposed for scrutiny as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

The event has been organised by Christine Ruth, a former Granada Television producer, who is keen to display the people of Liverpool's gardening prowess in the year in which the city is Europe's capital of culture.

"We wanted to do something to celebrate a very different side of the Capital of Culture year," she told the Liverpool Echo.

"Liverpool has some superb gardens tucked away that very few people ever get to see."

Ms Ruth has identified Parkmount, a merchant's house and garden overlooking Sefton Park, as a particular highlight.

"Parkmount is spectacular," she confirmed.

"Jeremy, the gardener there, has worked wonders. I think people will be surprised."

Next year, the title of European Capital of Culture will be shared by the Austrian city of Linz and Vilnius in Lithuania.