Britain's largest winter garden rolls out the white carpet ready to show off an estimated 600,000 flowering bulbs. Clusters of over 100,000 double and single snowdrops and 20,000 narcissi bloom beneath the trees at Dunham Massy Garden, heralding the first signs of spring and providing a haven for honey bees.
It's that time of year when the oak walk at Ickworth Park erupts in a carpet of winter white snowdrops and the bright yellow glow of aconites - whilst the scent of honey wafts from the large Galanthus's arnott snowdrops that grace Geraldine's and Erskine's walks. Once you've indulged all your senses, warm up and feast in the west wing restaurant.
With the promise of spring in the air, Nymans 20th century garden is almost ready to erupt in a kaleidoscope of colour. First comes white, as drifts of snowdrops lie under displays of early magnolias and camellias, under-planted with another pinnacle of spring, the daffodil. The bulb meadow within the walled garden is also full of early narcissus and snowdrops. And by Valentine's Day, over 150 different types of plant will be flowering.
Lose yourself within this beautiful 323 hectare World Heritage Site. Explore the exquisite Georgian water garden and the abbey ruins, surrounded by porcelain-white snowdrops. The highlight has to be the sight of snowdrops planted in the 19th century by Earl de Grey, spelling out his name along the banks of the river Skell.
Anglesey's 114 acre garden has one of the finest collections of snowdrops in the country, boasting over 240 varieties. Throughout February join the gardeners for a Snowdrop Tour at 2pm on weekdays. Either pre-book or try your luck on the day, but bear in mind its first come, first served.
February marks the first sight of spring at Kingston Lacy, when thousands of bulbs burst through the soil and transform the garden under a dazzling white carpet. With 8,500 hectares to explore, the Japanese Garden is worth a wander, complete with an authentic tea house.
Wrap up warm and enjoy a peaceful walk among the drifts of snowdrops that decorate Kailzie Gardens. Standing 700ft above sea level on the south bank of the Tweed, you can enjoy stunning views over the Leithen Hills. The estate's northerly outlook means only the hardiest plants survive here, which is perfect for the gloom-loving snowdrop – who thrive in the cold.
Set within glorious grounds in the heart of Hampshire, Mottisfont Abbey sits alongside one of the finest chalk streams in the world, the River Test. Its famous walled garden houses the National Collection of old-fashioned roses, but come February the first of the 60,000 spring bulbs break up through the frozen ground. Guided woodland walks are available, allowing you to enjoy the early snowdrop dappled landscape.
Spring has come early at RHS Rosemoor. The enchanting 65-acre garden, located in rural North Devon, has been covered in a carpet of winter-white flowers since mid January. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, the snowdrops are three weeks early due to the period of cold weather which occurred before Christmas, followed by mild weather which caused them to flower and bloom.
The award-winning, 20-acre, Marwood Hill will be opening the informal, private garden and Tea Room early for their annual ‘Snowdrop Sunday' on 17th and 24th February 2013. This delightful, family-friendly garden has three lakes and three national collections of Astibe, Tulbaghia Bog and Japanese.
Families can follow the pretty white snowdrop trail through the historic castle grounds, interspersed with early blossoms of camellia and quince. From Monday 16th – Sunday 24th February, Lady of the Wildwoods will be running spring-inspired storytelling and workshops, delighting young visitors, whilst parents can kick-back with a cup of coffee.
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