Visitors can see beautiful snowdrops in bloom during February open days at the Gardens of Easton Lodge.
The gardens will be open for two 'Snowdrop Sundays' - February 18 and 25 - and two 'Snowdrop Thursdays' - February 22 and 29.
After a cold snap in January, and the recent storms, the Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust are optimistic that the snowdrops will be at their best for visitors to enjoy.
The snowdrops - usually the first sign that spring is on the way - are located all over the gardens, including in the kitchen garden, around the glade, near the World War I practice trenches and around the elephant statue.
A spokesperson for the Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust said: "It has been a hard winter for our volunteers, with rain, cold weather and storms, but they are working hard to complete winter jobs.
"They managed to plant new bulbs in a cold snap and a new fern rill in pouring rain. Many freshly planted shrubs in a new border didn’t last long unfortunately, as they became a playground and larder for the local deer.
"But there are more shrubs to go in and trees to be planted too. And there is fruit tree and shrub pruning underway to help them flourish.
"The new path, from the entrance, should also be finished before the gates reopen for visitors."
On Snowdrop Sundays, the trust's volunteers will provide hot homemade soup, local bacon, cheese or hummus rolls, homemade cakes and hot or cold drinks.
READ MORE
- Dunmow florist Stephanie appointed to Good Florist Guide Council
- Could you become a trustee for the Gardens of Easton Lodge?
The gardens will be open from 11am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm.
Tickets can be bought from www.eastonlodge.co.uk, through Trybooking.com or on the gardens' Facebook page.
Adult tickets are £5.50, with free entry for children under 16. Tickets on the gate cost £6.50.
On Thursdays the gardens will be open from 11am to 3pm, with last entry at 2pm. The neighbouring gardens of Warwick House will not be open for visitors, but there will still be cakes and hot and cold drinks.
Thursday tickets are £4.50 for adults and £5 on the gate.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here