Signs of spring

Snowdrops seem to cause controversy among gardeners. While some enthuse about the slightest differences, others dismiss them rather scathingly as being all the same.

The picture of the small vase picked in my garden will hopefully prove to the cynical that there are differences in shape, markings and stature between some of them at least!

But one thing is certain whether you are a galanthophile (that is a snowdrop lover) or not, just a small clump of them will cheer the spirit of anyone who sees them braving wintry weather.

Botanists have always wondered whether our common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is native or introduced. However it's now thought to have been introduced, brought to Britain perhaps by the Romans or some other group. One thing is clear, snowdrops must have had some religious significance because large colonies of Galanthus nivalis often appear on the site of monasteries, churches and abbeys. Sometimes they are single, sometimes double.

One of the best examples is Welford Park near Newbury, an estate owned by James and Debby Puxley. It was once the site of a Norman monastery and millions of snowdrops grow in the water meadows underneath hazel trees, creating a spectacle that brings lots of visitors to the garden throughout February. There are also large colonies at Walsingham in Norfolk and at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridge.

The monks must have cultivated snowdrops in great numbers to decorate church altars at Candlemas, a candlelit festival held on February 2nd to honour the Virgin Mary. The snowdrop symbolises Mary's purity. Interestingly Candlemas is exactly forty days after Christmas and it still marks the beginning of Easter and the end of Christmas in the Church calendar. However it also falls exactly between the shortest day and the spring equinox - suggesting an earlier pagan significance.

The snowdrops at Welford Park are thought to have been planted in the Middle Ages, but the site does have Roman origins and the colony may be even older. Generally snowdrops were not grown in gardens until the mid-19th century, when other species of snowdrop were introduced. These hybridised accidentally and enthusiasts began to deliberately breed new varieties too.

One of the best collections, featuring lots of different named varieties, can be seen at Colesbourne Park which is midway between Cirencester and Cheltenham. Colesbourne is now owned by the Elwes family and Henry Elwes ( 1846-1922) , who once boasted the largest collection of bulbous plants in Britain, originally began the collection. Galanthus elwesii, a robust grey-leafed snowdrop, was named after him.

Oxford has its own famous galanthophile in the late Primrose Warburg (1920-1996) who lived at South Hayes near Botley. I never met Primrose, but I did get to visit her garden shortly after her death, before her collection was distributed among botanic gardens and enthusiasts. It was a glorious February day and the snowdrops basked and danced in the sun. At the end of the day, I was given five varieties by Primrose's horticultural executor, John Grimshaw. Primrose ( though very kind) could be brusque and didn't suffer fools gladly. I've taken great trouble to keep them in good heart, following Edward Augustus Bowles' famous advice to stir them up' regularly. I split them up after they've flowered every three years.

Snowdrop Openings

Waterperry ( near Wheatley)

  • Snowdrop Days February 11th, 12th and 18th,19th between 9.00pm and 5.00pm
  • refreshments available
  • Web: www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
  • Tel: 01844 339226

Welford Park (off the B4000 from Newbury)

  • Welford Park is open from 1st February until 2nd March from 11.00pm - 4.00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
  • adults £4.00 concessions £ 3.00 children under 12 free
  • Tel. 01488 608203
  • also open every Sunday for a local charity refreshments available

Colesbourne Park

  • Open every weekend in February from 1 pm (last entry 4pm)
  • Groups tours by arrangement
  • refreshments available
  • also Special Snowdrop Study Days will be held on February 16th and 23rd (Tickets £35.00 limited to 30 )
  • Web: www.colesbournegardens.org.uk
  • Tel: 01242 870264

Rodmarton Manor ( between Cirencester and Tetbury)