Since my last slightly concerned post about my teeny ‘collection’ of the White Gold they have finally begun to spring forth to much excitement and daily watching, although this fails to assist them in growing any faster, for a week or so it will entertain me at least! No flowers yet but nice healthy looking leaves.
I realise there won’t be such a great showing of snowdrop-ery so am planning visits to gardens with an overabundance. As a public service announcement I thought I might also announce some of the Snowdrop days I’ve found. Of course there will be other things to spy in the gardens now such as Hellebore and look out for Hamamelis and Daphne too.
For opening times please check the garden website, they usually open on reduced hours at this time of year due to light restrictions.
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge – 23-26 Feb, follow their blog to find out upto date info
Bennington Lordship, Stevenage – 4th-26th Feb (4-10 free for RHS members!) 100’s of varieties.
Brandy Mount,Hampshire – National collection holders for snowdrops and Daphne and in it’s final year of opening to the public, open days are on 8, 11,12,19th Feb
Chelsea Physic garden – 4th-12th Feb, normally closed to the public
Colesbourne, Gloucestershire – all weekends in Feb and first weekend in March
Coton Manor, Nothants – mor for Hellebore than Snowdrops but they do have Snowdrops!
Easton Lodge, Essex – 19th Feb, Snowdrop Sunday
Easton Walled Gardens, Lincolnshire – 18-26th Feb, there is also a photographic workshop for those keen on capturing these beauties on film (or digital!)
Hodsock, Nottinghamshire – 4th Feb – 4th March, in 2012 celebrating 25 years showing off their snowdrops.
Heale Gardens, Somerset – 5, 12th Feb for a snowdrop extravaganza
Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum, Essex – Snowdrop weekends 10-12th Feb, 17-19th Feb, 24-26th Feb, Hamamelis and hellebores
Painswick, Gloucestershire – Mid Jan- end Feb
Rodmarton Manor, Gloucestershire – 5, 12, 16 and 19th Feb
Snape Cottage, Dorset- 25-26th Feb, 100’s of varieties
Steve Owen – A new national collection holder is having his first open day, Saturday 25th February, 127 Stoke Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2SR.
Waterperry Gardens, Oxford – Snowdrop event 18/19th Feb and 25/26th Feb
Welford Park, Berkshire – 26th Jan-4th March
And for more on Hellebore events an old article from the Telegraph identifies some great places to see them – beats cutting out newspaper clippings to store in an old file !