CUTTINGS

Just published is the new Yellow Book (NGS pounds 3.50), listing the 3,500 gardens open this year under the National Gardens Scheme. Early openings to catch displays of snowdrops have become an increasingly popular. Among gardens open either this weekend or next are:

Bucks Great Barfield, High Wycombe (01494 563741), home of the snowdrop king, Richard Nutt. Open next Sunday (2-5pm). Admission pounds 1.

Cambs Anglesey Abbey, Lode (01223 811200) a fine National Trust garden where 50 different kinds of snowdrop re-emerged after undergrowth had been cleared. Open this weekend and next (11am-4pm). Admission pounds 3.20.

Devon Little Cumbre, Pennsylvania Rd, Exeter (01392 58315), Dr and Mrs John Lloyd's half-acre garden with snowdrops, hellebores and small trees chosen for their bark. Open next Sunday (2-5pm) Admission pounds 1. Yonder Hill, Colaton Raleigh (01395 567541), part of a four-acre smallholding with snowdrops (and rheas). Open next Sunday (11am-5pm). Admission pounds 1.

Glos Minchinhampton Gardens, Minchinhampton. Two gardens, Lammas Park and St Francis (01453 882188) with giant snowdrops and trough gardens. Open tomorrow (11am-4.30pm). Admission pounds 2. The Old Rectory, Duntisbourne Rouse, nr Cirencester, described brilliantly by owner Mary Keen in her

recent book Creating a Garden (Conran Octopus, pounds 25). Winter flowers a speciality. Open Monday 24 Feb (11am-3pm). Admission pounds 2. Cinderdine Cottage, Dymock, nr Newent (01531 890265). A huge collection of snowdrops, both species and hybrids. Open tomorrow, and 18 and 20 Feb (12-5pm) Admission pounds 1.

Hants Little Court, Crawley, nr Winchester (01962 776365), peaceful, sheltered garden with a new spring woodland walk. Open tomorrow, and 17 and 18 Feb (2-5.30pm). Admission pounds 1.50. Kent Goodnestone Park, Wingham, nr Canterbury. Jane Austen stayed here amongst the spring bulbs. Open tomorrow (12-6pm). Admission pounds 2.30.

Kent190 Maidstone Rd, Chatham, snowdrops, aconites and a scree garden. Open next Sunday (2-5pm). Admission pounds 1.50.

Lincs 21 Chapel St, Hacconby (01778 570314). Hellebores and snowdrops are to the fore at the moment. Open today and tomorrow, and next weekend (11am-5pm). Admission pounds 1. Manor Farm, Keisby, a plantsman's half-acre garden with good collections of snowdrops and hellebores. Open next Sat and Sun (11am-4pm). Admission pounds 1.

London Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield (01992 713838), the famous gardens created by the Edwardian plant enthusiast Edward A Bowles. Open next Sunday and Monday (2-5pm). Admission pounds 1.25.

Norfolk Rainthorpe Hall, Tasburgh, south of Norwich (01508 470618). Snowdrops and hazel coppice just beginning to swing with catkins. Open next Sunday (1-4pm). Admission pounds 2.50.

Notts Hodsock Priory, Blyth, (01909 591204). Thousands of aconites and snowdrops. Open daily (10am-4pm) for four weeks during Feb and March (check with the Priory for start of show). Admission pounds 2.50.

Oxon Broadwell House, Broadwell, nr Lechlade (01367 860230), good topiary and early spring bulbs. Open tomorrow (2-4pm). Admission pounds 1.50.

Shropshire Erway Farm House, Dudleston Heath, nr Ellesmere (01691 75479), rare and interesting plants including many different kinds of snowdrop. Open next Sunday (1-5pm). Admission pounds 1.50.

Surrey 9 Raymead Close, Fetcham opening for the first time next Sunday (12-4pm). Admission pounds 1.50.

Wilts Lacock Abbey Gardens, Lacock, carpets of aconites and snowdrops at this National Trust property. Open today and tomorrow, and next weekend (2-5pm). Admission pounds 1.50.

Worcs Dial Park, Chaddesley Corbett, (01562 777451). Collections of snowdrops in this recently developed garden. Open 19 and 20 Feb (1-5pm). Admission pounds 1.