They're a reminder that spring is on its way. Banish the winter blues with a glimpse of snowdrops springing up. Here's where you can see them in Kent this week:

SNOWDROP WALK, HEVER CASTLE

Follow the white floral pathway of some 80,000 snowdrops throughout the grounds of Hever Castle, beside the moat and along the Sunday Walk on Saturday, February 9, for two weeks. And on Tuesday, February 12 for the first time the National Gardens Scheme will also come to the castle. Duncan Leslie, Hever chief executive, said: “We are very happy to be involved at the start of the exciting NGS 2019 programme which sees people open their gardens of all sizes - from back yards to huge estates.”

Head gardener Neil Miller added: “Gardeners really enjoy the NGS days - there’s nothing better than mooching around gardens that are only open once or twice a year.”

Gardens only entry is £14.95, and £9.40 for five to 15s. Details at hevercastle.co.uk

HOLE PARK GARDENS, ROLVENDEN

The award-winning Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden has a snowdrop and plant fair roadshow coming on Sunday, February 10. Plant enthusiasts will bring together a range of small nurseries from the area to create the roadshow, which is also heading to other county venues including Canterbury Cathedral in May and Cranbrook in August. The plant fair, which will run from 1am to 3pm and costs £4 for entry, is part of a programme of events scheduled for the year which includes its first proms spectacular and ABBA revival weekend in late August. The gardens themselves do not open to the public until Saturday, March 30. For more details go to holepark.com

COPTON ASH GARDEN FAVERSHAM

Grown out of a love and fascination for plants, the garden at Faversham has been developed on 1.5 acres of former cherry orchard.

The family-owned garden, which has been cultivated since the late 1970s, features a wide collection of rarities and newly-introduced species raised from wild seed, with woodland flowers and Mediterranean plantings to adapt to a warming climate.

The garden will be open as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) on Sunday, February 10 between noon and 4pm, with homemade teas and homemade soup available. Entry is £4 with children free.

The garden is also open as part of the NGS open days on Sunday, March 17 and again on Sunday, March 31, between noon and 5pm both days. For more details go to ngs.org.uk

YEW TREE COTTAGE, PENSHURST

The small, romantic cottage garden with its steep hillside entrance will be opening as part of the National Gardens Scheme on Wednesday, February 13 between noon and 5pm for £3 each. It has plenty of seating areas and secret corners tucked away plus some unusual plants. There will be light refreshments available. There are other NGS dates for the garden this month, March and April. For more details go to ngs.org.uk

IGHTHAM MOTE

Some 5,000 snowdrops have been planted in the grounds of the historic National Trust property, so there should be a heavenly display.

The house is closed this time of year but the gardens are open between 10am and 4pm daily.

Snowdrops are one of the earliest flowering plants and they’re also good for wildlife too, including insects.

Though the dates can never be predicted 100%, it’s fair to say if you head to Ightham this weekend, you’re sure to see some showing themselves - a few even sprang up in late January.

For more details and for entry fees go to nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote