CELEBRITY gardener and author, Alan Titchmarsh, is urging Worcestershire people to take advantage of an open garden event, where the stars will be New England asters.

The cultivated plant conservation charity, Plant Heritage, is treating garden lovers in Worcestershire to an opportunity to visit a unique garden, home to the National Plant Collections of "Aster novae-angliae", based at Callow End.

Mr Titchmarsh, the Plant Heritage President, said: “This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for garden lovers in Worcestershire to discover some of the beautiful and diverse plants held in their local National Collections.

“Plant conservation is as much about passing on the knowledge as it is about growing the plant. This is the first time the collection will be opening solely in support of the charity.”

The collection, owned by Dr Margaret Stone, will open on Sunday 5th October from 2pm to 5pm at Brockamin, Old Hills, Callow End

Dr Stone will be on hand to answer queries throughout the afternoon,

Refreshments will be available and plants from Dr Stone’s garden will be on sale.

Entrance will be £3, with proceeds being donated to Plant Heritage.

The National Plant Collections Scheme is the flagship of Plant Heritage and is the prime mechanism for ensuring the survival of cultivated plant species and cultivars.