The Gardens of Easton Lodge in Little Easton are reopening to visitors from Thursday, April 6 - just in time for daffodil season.

The gardens will be open to the public every Thursday until the end of October, with one Open Sunday a month.

By April daffodils are fully in bloom in the gardens' Lime Wood, with a mix of hybrid varieties that were likely planted in 1902, when Harold Peto redesigned the gardens for the Countess of Warwick.

In 2003 the International Daffodil Register recorded the different varieties present - and the now-retired registrar Sally Kington returned to the gardens last week to help the trustees identify the varieties still thriving in the wood.

Dunmow Broadcast: Sally Kington and trustee Sue Gilbert with the Telamonius Plenus in the Lime WoodSally Kington and trustee Sue Gilbert with the Telamonius Plenus in the Lime Wood (Image: The Gardens of Easton Lodge)

The oldest variety Sally found in 2003, which can still be found in the Lime Wood, is the Telamonius Plenus - first recorded in England in 1629.

The Telamonius Plenus is a 'double' daffodil with grey-green leaves, and the 'double' flower a mix of deep yellow and paler yellow. 

This along with 20 or so other hybrid varieties developed in the 19th century would have been on the market to be planted in 1902.

Throughout April cowslips and violets pop up all over the gardens, and the tulips bring a burst of colour - particularly in the Italian Garden. There will also be bluebells by the end of the month, and the magnolias will flower.

In the walled kitchen garden blossom will emerge on the fruit trees, following on from the plums, peaches and nectarines, which start to flower in late March, to the cherries, quinces and the first apples and pears, which flower by the end of April.

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The trees also grow leaves throughout the month - with the acer tree the most prolific variety.

On open Thursdays the gates open at 11am, and the trust's volunteers will be hard at work until closing time at 3pm.

The archive room will also be available for anyone who wants to browse through the history of the gardens and estate.

Hot and cold drinks and homemade cake will also be available.

To find out more visit www.eastonlodge.co.uk.