SPRING has sprung early at one of Sussex’s best-loved gardens.

Not only are the daffodils out at Borde Hill Gardens but also the primroses, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias.

The gardeners have even reported tulips and the cherry trees in blossom along with the anemones which are normally not out until the end of April and beginning of May.

Owner Andrewjohn Stephenson Clarke, who lives at Borde Hill, near Haywards Heath, said the floral display was most likely down to the mild winter and spring we have had.

He said: “We’re amazed at the profusion of plants that are flowering here at Borde Hill at the same time and so pleased that our Easter visitors are already enjoying them and we hope that nature balances itself out in the months ahead.”

Grade II listed Borde Hill is set in 200 acres of parkland with views across the Ouse Valley.

The first record of the estate dates back to 1534 with the Tudor home constructed in 1598 by Stephen Borde.

In 1893 it was bought by Colonel Stephenson Robert Clare, who created the garden from seeds gathered by the great plant hunters of the early 1900s.

The award-winning garden is regarded as one of the finest in the South of England and is renowned for its rare shrubs and trees.

It is arranged in what gardeners call outdoor rooms with each room showing off a certain variety of plant.

Borde Hill opened to the public at the start of this month with a number of activities planned over the Easter weekend.

On Good Friday there will be party games, dancing, music and magic at an event called Tomfoolery.

There will be timed shows in a garden marquee at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm.

On Easter Sunday there will be a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party featuring games, songs and stories from 11am.

This will be followed on Easter Monday by a themed arts and craft event in the gardens. For more details visit bordehill.co.uk.