11:36am Monday 15th February 2010
SNOWDROPS – those plucky little plants that are the first heralds of spring – are out, pushing through the sodden borders and flattened grass after all that nasty winter weather.
The delicate-looking white blooms above small, strappy leaves show that life can survive the depths of winter.
They’ve been a little late emerging this year because of all the snow but now they are brightening gardens, always looking their best when glimpsed in drifts, creating a carpet of nodding white heads under trees.
The most popular type, Gallanthus nivalis – the common snowdrop – has narrow green leaves and dainty white and green fragrant flowers.
Double snowdrops, such as G.
nivalis f. pleniflorus Flore Pleno look best at the edge of paths, while other good varieties include G S Arnott, a tall variety with large, scented flowers.
Snowdrops should be planted in early autumn and they prefer semishade in a moist, rich soil.
However, you’ll need to plant an awful lot to achieve a naturalised effect quickly.
It’s when the first snowdrops start to appear that you really begin to believe that winter is finally coming to an end.
So what better way to celebrate the change in seasons than by visiting one of the many gardens which will be opening to the public through the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) during February.
As well as blowing away the winter cobwebs, you’ll be helping good causes, too, because these gardens are expected to raise more than £100,000 for charities, which include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads Cares. What better way to start the new year?
Valerie Caldwell, head of marketing at the NGS, said: “The gardens that open early in the year are really popular, attracting more than 35,000 people. With an average entrance fee of less than £3, and most gardens admitting children 16 and under free, a garden visit is excellent value for money – and the best part is that the money raised goes to such good causes.”
From sprawling woods to romantic cottage gardens and even churchyards – Birlingham, near Pershore, and Burford, near Tenbury Wells, are good examples – seeing snowdrops is the perfect way to gain inspiration for your own plot or to simply while away a winter’s afternoon.
DID YOU KNOW?
Victorian soldiers were so enchanted by snowdrops that they brought them back to Britain from the battlefields of the Crimean War and planted them in their gardens.
Where to see Snowdrops: National Garden Scheme gardens open to the public:
CLOSE TO HOME
Dial Park, Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster, DY10 4QB.
David and Olive Mason. Telephone 01562 777451 or e-mail olivemason 75@btinternet.com. Open Wednesday and Thursday, February 17 and 18, 11am to 4pm. About three-quarters of an acre in rural setting. Large collection of snowdrops. Small collection of country tools and bygones. Tea.
Admission £2.50, children free.
Ivy Croft, Ivington Green, near Leominster HR6 0JN.
Sue and Roger Norman. Telephone 01568 720344 or ivycroft.freeserve.
co.uk. Open until Thursday, February 25, 9am until 4pm. Admission £3, children free.
Barnard’s Green House, Hastings Pool, Poolbrook Road, Malvern WR14 3NQ.
Mr and Mrs Philip Nicholls.
Telephone 01684 574446.
Visitors welcome by appointment.
Teas. Admission £3, children free.
FURTHER AFIELD
Edward Jenner Museum, Church Lane, Berkeley, Gloucestershire GL13 9BN.
Telephone 01453 810631, e-mail info@edwardjenner.co.uk or jenner museum.com. Sunday, February 28, 11am-4pm. Admission £2.50, children free.
Home Farm, Newent Lane, Huntley Gloucestershire GL19 3HQ.
Mrs T Freeman. Telephone 01452 830209/10 or e-mail torill@ ukgateway.net. Open tomorrow.
Admission £3, children free. Visitors also welcome by appointment.
Springtime garden in elevated position with exceptional views. Onemile walk through woods and fields.
Stout footwear advisable.
Kempsford Manor, High Street, Kempsford, Gloucestershire GL7 4EQ.
Mrs ZI Williamson. Telephone 01285 810131 and kempsfordmanor.com.
Open tomorrow and Sundays February 21 and 28. Admission £3.50, children free.
The Old Rectory, Duntisbourne Rous, Gloucestershire GL7 7AP.
Charles and Mary Keen. mary@keen gardener.com. Monday, February 15, 11am - 5pm. Admission £5, children free.
Trench Hill, Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire GL6 6TZ.
Celia and Dave Hargrave. Telephone 01452 814306. E-mail celia.
hargrave@btconnect.com. Open tomorrow, 11am- 5pm. Homemade teas. Admission £3, children free.
Visitors also welcome by appointment.
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