With thanks to our resident gardener Stephen Lee
Heralds of Spring
From the early part of the winter the common snowdrop begins is growth. Roots been sent in to the soil from dormant bulbs and the noses of leaves begin to show above the soil in December. They continue to grow and the flowers spring forth, single or double white flowers glisten in the winter light and their scent carried on gentle winter breeze.
The snowdrop known, as Galanthus. These bulbous plants primarily live in the Europe and western Asia and consists of around 20 species. The snowdrop closest to us is the common Galanthus nivalis. Which we find in hedgerows usually opposite or near housing or growing in woodlands and gardens of lager estates. The common snowdrop sadly isn’t native as once thought but you don’t find snowdrops growing in ancient woodlands like other British native bulbs.
There are many gardens length and breath of the UK, that open up their gardens during February for scores of people to visit and see the amazing sway of snowdrops. One of the most popular gardens and said to be the home of snowdrops is Colesbourne in Gloucestershire. The National trust garden Kingston Lacy is also awash with drifts of snowdrops, along with many other gardens. And a bit closer to home not, a garden but a snowdrop festival in Shepton Mallet on the 20-22nd February. Which is quite and eye opener to see the many thousands of different hybrids around. Shepton Mallet had its own 19th century snowdrop breeder James Allen. To learn more about this man and his hybrids then attend the snowdrop festival in February.
The snowdrop has been bred extensively and now there are literally thousands of hybrids all from around 20 species. Mostly all snowdrops have 3 white outer petals and 3 smaller white petals inside. Inside there is green on the lower half on the inner petals. The same applies to double snowdrops just more petals. In some hybrids the outer petals had green on them as well as the inside petals and are referred to as green snowdrops. Some have instead of green they have yellow/gold and are referred to as gold snowdrops. Some ovaries at the top of the flower are green as well as lime and gold as well. In some hybrids all the petals are the same length and some are completely whit with now colour at all. And it’s not just the flowers that have changed with all the breeding. The leaves have changed from green to grey, wide or narrow, tall and short.
Most of the snowdrops we see are in the mid to late winter flowering however some flower late autumn/ early winter such varieties would include Galanthus Peter gatehouse and Remember Remember.
These plants are a true wonder to behold and lift our souls on a cold bright winter day swaying gently in the breeze.
Below is a gallery of pictures relating to February
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