It’s almost that time of year when we can finally get out into our gardens.

And for those with a penchant for all things floral, the National Open Gardens Scheme provides the perfect platform to visit other people’s gardens and savour the beautiful blooms while gleaning some green-fingered inspiration.

Set up in 1927, the scheme’s origins are closely connected with nursing in the UK. William Rathbone, a Liverpool merchant, employed a nurse to care for his wife at home leading to the development of district nursing throughout the country and, subsequently, the establishment of the people opening their gardens to train and support nurses.

By 1931, a network of volunteer county organisers had been launched and more than 1,000 gardens were open. A handbook was produced with information about the participating gardens.

In 1980, The National Gardens Scheme Charitable Trust was established as an independent charity, and four years later Macmillan Cancer Support joined the list of beneficiary charities, including Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads (now Carers Trust).

Over the years the National Gardens Scheme has donated more than £40 million to its beneficiary charities, of which nearly £25 million has been given in the last ten years.

Many local gardens participate in the scheme. Roger and Christine Lambert will once again be opening their garden gate on Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20, at High Hall, St Stephen’s Road, Steeton, for visitors to view their two-acre arts and craft garden. To find out more, call (01535) 657070.

Visitors can also view the fruits of Kim and Stephen Roger’s efforts after spending 16 years lovingly nurturing their third-of-an-acre garden at Dove Cottage Nursery Garden in Shibden Hall Road, near Halifax.

The garden, which boasts a mix of late summer perennials and grasses, has already been profiled in Gardens Illustrated and on the BBC Great British Garden Revival. The grounds are open from 10am until 4pm every Friday from June 6 until September 26.

For more information, call (01422) 203553 or visit dovecottagenursery.co.uk.

Also in Halifax is Warley House Garden, Stock Lane, Warley. Visitors can savour the beautiful transformation of this two-and-a-half acre site when it opens on Sundays May 11 and July 13 between 1pm and 5pm. For more information, visit warley housegardens.com.

Ilkley, Beacon Hill House Langbar LS29 OEU, with its seven-acre ‘intake’ steeply sloping but gardened since 1848, is open from 1.30pm until 5pm on Wednesday, May 14. Visitors are also welcome by appointment until June.

The garden has been part of the National Gardens Scheme for 21 years. Its current owners have cared for the garden for 37 years. Among the beautiful blooms are early rhododendrons, magnolias and bulbs, roses, an established liriodendron, pterostyrax, hoherias and several species of eucryphia.

Admission is £3.50, children are free and part of the proceeds will be given to Riding for the Disabled. For more information, call (01943) 607544 or e-mail humphrey@ humphreyboyle.co.uk.

Brookfield, in Jew Lane, Oxenhope, near Keighley, is a one-and-a-quarter acre garden with pond, island and mallards. It has a terraced garden featuring trees and shrubs.

The garden opens from 1.30pm until 5pm on Sunday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 4. Visitors are also welcome May to July by appointment.

Admission is £3 with free entry for children. For more information, contact (01535) 643070.

Butterfield Heights, at 4 Park Crescent, Guiseley LS20 8EL, opens from 11am until 5pm on Wednesday, August 13. Visitors are also welcome by appointment in August for groups of eight and more. Described as a ‘Hardy plantswoman’s garden’, the restoration of a dark, damp plot uncovered a 1930s landscape on three levels linked by steps. Boasting views towards Otley Chevin, the garden boasts unusual herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees as well as a secluded Japanese corner.

Admission is £3 and free entry for children. For more information, call 07852 163733.

Continuing the Japanese theme, Lower Heugh Cottage Garden in Eastby, near Skipton, features a Japanese garden designed by Professor Fukuhara. His Emperor Garden forms part of a 90-minute conducted tour giving a taste of the Orient.

Bountiful herbaceous borders boasting unusual species, mini-meadows and water features can be seen in the four-acre grounds of The Grange in Carla Beck Lane, Carleton, near Skipton.

Restored by its current owners over the past two years, the garden opens on Wednesday, July 23, and August 6 and 13 from 12.30pm until 4pm. Visitors are also welcome by appointment July to August for groups of more than 20. Admission is £5, free entry for children, and includes a guided tour and refreshments.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice. For more information call 07740 639135.

New to the National Gardens Scheme is The Jungle Garden, 76 Gledhow Wood Avenue, Leeds LS8 1NX. Open from 11am until 5pm on Sunday, July 27, and also by appointment July to September, the garden is multi-level with jungle-style planting and accents of hot tropical colour.

It also features boardwalks and bark paths and crown-lifted trees creating an overhead canopy. There is also an elevated ‘Jungle Lodge’ and aerial walkway with views over the garden.

Admission is £3, with free entry for children. For more information, call 0113 266 5196.

To find out more about the National Gardens Scheme, visit ngs.org.uk.