A SEVEN-FOOT high snowdrop is taking centre stage at the Rococo Garden in Painswick where the gates are open to welcome visitors to the spring extravaganza.

Garden director Paul Moir said: “The very mild autumn means that the early snowdrops are now out.

“That’s very early, and the main display is just a few days away rather than the weeks we’d normally expect.

“The displays, especially on the sunny banks, are looking superb and we’ve also got a couple of mosaic sculptures in the gardens, plus the giant snowdrop, which was created by Malvern artist Victoria Harrison and is on show until the end of March.”

The Garden is open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm, and provides a welcome sign that, as cold as the weather is, spring is just around the corner.

Besides seeing the snowdrops, visitors can enjoy a fascinating step back to a flamboyant and sensual period of English garden design, when gardens were almost theatrical sets used as a backdrop to decadent garden parties. There are also magnificent views.