Tim Jelley (62) of The Tithings, Kibworth, said his wife Rose did not know the difference between a flower and weed, and so he decided to teach her.

Two years on, and the Jelleys' back garden is a colourful flourishing oasis. Mr Jelley said: "I love gardening and now my wife enjoys it too.

"She has done such a good job, even if she does sometimes pull up the wild pansies because she mistakes them for weeds!"

Their garden includes a pond with about a dozen goldfish, a canary aviary, as well as an array of flowers including sunflowers, money plants and Aloa Veras.

They also have a greenhouse where Mrs Jelley is busy growing tomatoes, courgettes, peppers and chillies.

Mr Jelley, who is a bowel cancer survivor, said the pair use the garden for parties and barbecues with their five grown-up children.

The international trade advisor said: "It's an absolute pleasure to be in our back garden. We are always outside either on the bench or in the hot tub."

The couple moved to Kibworth from Gumley in 2001. Mrs Jelley works as a tax specialist in Kibworth and enjoys rock climbing with her husband and their children.

Mrs Jelley said: "It's lovely that Tim has entered me. It's been a pleasure learning to garden by his side, although he does get cross when I pull out a plant which I think is a weed!

"Our garden is looking at its best ever; the colours are so vibrant we have lots of pinks and reds, it's superb."