Gardens open in February...

The National Garden Scheme has other chances to see snowdrops this month. They include Yew Tree Cottage, Penshurst, where there are seats and secret corners, plus some unusual plants and special perennials, as well as a small pond. It will open on Sunday, February 18 and again on Wednesday, February 28. Admission is £3, with children free, and light refreshments available. Call 01892 870689 for more details. The six-acre 19th century Mere House in Mereworth has increasing areas of snowdrops and daffodils and extensive lawns with herbaceous borders, ornamental shrubs and trees with year-round foliage. It will be open on Sunday, February 18 and Sunday, February 25. Admission is £5, with children free and refreshments in aid of Mereworth Church. Details at merehouse.co.uk. Ten-acre Doddington Place Gardens, Doddington, has woodland with azaleas and rhododendrons and a recently renovated Edwardian rock garden and a new gothic folly. It opens between 11am and 4pm on Sunday, February 18. Admission is £7, with children £2. Call 01795 886101, email enquiries@doddingtonplacegdns.co.uk or visit doddingtonplacegardens.co.uk.

And Copton Ash, Faversham, has a collection of rarities and newly-introduced species raised from wild seed. There are woodland flowers, snowdrops and hellebores with flowering trees and a small alpine nursery. It will be open on Sunday, February 18 between noon and 4pm. Admission is £4, with children free. Homemade soup is available. Call the owners on 01795 535919, email coptonash@yahoo.co.uk or go to coptonash.plus.com.