LINGEN Nursery and Garden has celebrated its 21st birthday by becoming one of the first tourist attractions to be given the Heart of England Tourist Board 'Quality Assured Visitor Attraction' accolade.

The nursery, which was founded by Kim Davis in 1979, has gained a national reputation, specialising in alpine and herbaceous plants, many of which are rare and not available elsewhere in the country.

The stock and display plants are housed in a variety of settings spread over two acres and Kim and his wife Maggie are continuing to develop a further two-acre garden, the Far Field Garden, which will include large out-crop, bog garden and island beds.

The gardens provide an array of colour from spring onwards. A large range of alpines, hellebores, erythroniums, primulas and auriculas in the early part of the year give way to herbaceous plants and a large personal collection of penstemons in summer.

Late colour

Crocosmias, heleniums, rudbeckia and other late-flowering plants provide a splash of colour before the more traditional autumn splendours close the year.

"Throughout the growing season we guarantee that you will see at least one plant, probably in flower, that you have not seen before," said Kim.

Throughout the season, Kim and Maggie will be hosting a series of guided walks through the garden, concentrating on plants in flower on the day and their cultivation, with an emphasis on a particular group of plants.

The next of these is on April 24 when auriculas will come under the spotlight. Places should be booked in advance by calling 01544 267720.