ON May 23 Gordon Malt, a retired tree surgeon and experienced gardener will be giving an illustrated talk on structure in the garden.

Structure is a key element in any garden, however wild or formal the design. How each part relates to the other, through features, vistas, or in the use of creative planting, gives a garden its own character. Getting it right can be tricky. For all those who've craved a little guidance, this could be the talk for you.

In his own half acre garden, near Shifnal, which he and his wife open for charity, Gordon manages to combine his love of growing vegetables with flowing flower borders, one streaming seamlessly into the other. He describes his own style as 'controlled relaxation'. As a finalist in the 2015 Daily Mail National Garden Competition Gordon is well placed to share his gardening and design knowhow. Hopefully we can all take away some interesting ideas for our own gardens.

This talk is free to members of South West Shropshire Gardening Club; visitors are also welcome at £5 per person including refreshments.

The talk will be on Wednesday, May 23 at 7.30pm in the Lydbury North Village Hall.

Any further queries should go to chairman, Sandy Burton 01588 680454 or please look at the website gardeningshropshire.co.uk