A Welcome Type of Snow - Snowdrops.
By david
33 comments
I can scarcely believe that January has all but gone – already. Been busy with the plant catalogues, garden planning, etc. In fact, January has become my favourite month, as it gives me time to do all this, and all by a warm fire, with hot drinks, snacks, etc., to boot!!
Have been making entries in my diary for the forthcoming "Scottish Snowdrop Festival 2010, (1 Feb – 15 March this year).
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Snowdrops pictured during the Festival in 2007
There are so many places to visit, collections to see, and special events here in Scotland. I always fill my new diary with"dates", but never manage to fulfill a fraction of them! I hope to improve upon my personal record, this year (but will wait and see). “Time management” is what I need to concentrate upon!
This year, am tantallised by the various “Snowdrops by Starlight” tours – evening tours, with light and sound" – , and the audio tours now available.
There is even going to be a woodland/community park presentation of Lewis Carrolls’s “Alice in Wonderland” presented (not our new garden theme, but one on our “list”).
I do hope that we can get to this one!!
Meantime, the snowdrop is the one early bloom I love. It was my Gran’s favourite, and, reminds me of her “pearl drop” earrings, too. She died early March 1973, and we (then kids) made a huge bouquet of snowdrops for the funerall.
Not that I am at all “sentimental” – I always look forward!!!. This is the only flower I know (until others “go”), which has fond memories.
Glad to see on GOY, that some are appearing, somewhere!!
PS Galanthus nivalis .can exhange hands for so much money! Would never grow our own. Always wanted G. “Augustus” for our “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” themed garden, but not available.!!
If you like snowdrops, check out the “Snowdrops” page on GOYpedia! :-))
- 22 Jan, 2010
- 24 likes
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Comments
Many Thanx, Pips! I do think that this is more common than we think. Have seen this on Goy, too. I rememeber growing plants years ago, which meant nothing to me, but reminded my ex-wife's grandparents (then in their 909s) of gardens, events, people, etc.
It is all very interesdting, and amazing how many memories are actually linked to plants and plant scents, regardless of whether we garden, or not. :-))
22 Jan, 2010
Pretty pics, David.
I hope you'll be adding this blog to GoYpedia Snowdrops :o)
22 Jan, 2010
Just remembereed to do, Tt!! LOL! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
PS. Why I always prefer seeing the flowers closed, as opposed to fully open. Some stunning pics here on GOY, however. Love them all!! :-)) :-))
22 Jan, 2010
Lol. Well done...:o) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
22 Jan, 2010
Now, I just have to get out to those events, Tt!!!!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXX :-))
22 Jan, 2010
nice to see the snowdrops.........
22 Jan, 2010
Can't wait. They really are the first herald of Spring to come, even if it is quite a way off. They are so lovely, and to me a very hopeful kind of flower.
In your case David, a very touching and significant flower. Lovely pics.
22 Jan, 2010
Enjoyed your blog and photos...
22 Jan, 2010
Thanx, Mad! :-))
Also, to you, Clarice! (Am still envious of your gr8 organisation with your cuke and tomato seed sowing, though) :-))
22 Jan, 2010
David it seems you overfill your calendar, lol, mind you I think if we`re honest it`s a very contagious trait. Love the Snowdrop pics, I have a look every day to see if mine are out yet, this time last year they were but quite pleased really that they have waited for the snow to go.......
22 Jan, 2010
Just adore snowdrops David, love the blog. I have a clump in flower at the moment. Has anyone been to snowdrop valley on Exmoor, Devon? I believe if you google snowdrops at Wheddon Cross Exmoor, you'll get the information. It's a huge valley of white (snowdrops)
22 Jan, 2010
~ I have a bowl full and all the little shoots are there about 2 inches~they are always later in pots though!
22 Jan, 2010
It is nice to see your snowdrop photos. Mine are very slow but I think the wild ones are much firther on.
22 Jan, 2010
love your blog David.....it is nice that they remind u of your gran....my memory flower for my gran is magnolia...it was her favorite and was in flower when she died. we wanted the florist to use it for the cross on her coffin. but they said they couldnt get any whole sale as the flowers were so short lived. my gran had eight children and forty grand children. some of us went out knocking doors of people with huge magnolias in their garden telling of our plight.......all were only to pleased to help....the florist was amazed when we turned up with black bags full of flowers..the cross was wonderful and smelt georgous....her name was Stella and i now have a magnolia stellata in my garden..i am going to look for snowdrops tomarrow. ill be thinking of peal earings...
22 Jan, 2010
That's lovely Sandra :o)
22 Jan, 2010
thanks for this David...snowdrops a favourite.They seem to send out such hope and promise.Lovely story about your Gran............
22 Jan, 2010
We have several Snowdrops walks going on in this area David ... I hope you manage to get to as many places on your agenda as possible , I love the snowdrops they are so welcome after a long winter and the promise of spring round the corner :o)
22 Jan, 2010
Snowdrops really are a blessing, aren't they!
We really should make the effort to get to Exmoor to 'Snowdrop Valley' - we haven't got there yet!
22 Jan, 2010
Many Thanks, everyone, for the feedback! :-))
Yes, Lincslass, I used to be guilty of filling up my entire diary for the coming year by end of January, and, even worse, posting a blog about my plans here on GOY!! Have learned not to do these things now, as most never "come off". Am not going to dare venture beyond March, at the mo, haha!!
Pam, have heard of Snowdrop Valley, Exmoor. In fact, I seem to recall you, Spritz, mentioning this place in a comment under a blog I wrote this time in 2008 - and you've still not been??????? :-)) (time does "fly", doesn't it?)
Amy - nice to hear that you also have snowdrop walks n your area. I really have no excuse, as we have the home of the UK National Collection of snowdrops here in Fife, at Cambo Estate, practically on our doorstep. Have just made plans to visit this place, and will "report back". :-))
Sandra - What an amazing plant connection story you've told us - I agree with you, Hywel, it is wonderful!, and, yes, the wild ones seem to be ahead of those in the gardens. :-))
Arlene - often thought of having even a bowl or pot of snowdrops, but just never got around to this. Will keep in mind on my visits and aim to buy enough for a container, for future. :-))
22 Jan, 2010
Lovely blog David with a lovely memory, the pictures of the snow drops are wonderful, the meaning of snow drop means movement, in my flower book, the first flower of spring.
22 Jan, 2010
Defo our "First lady", Sixpence (always want to write this as 6d) - hehe!! :-))
23 Jan, 2010
You have my permission David you have the right 6d not 6p lol or even tanner lol.
23 Jan, 2010
Many Thanx! Would never have dreamed of calling you an "Elsie Tanner" !!!!
"Oh, I've got 6d.
Jolly, jolly 6d!!!
I've got 6d, to last me all my life!
I've got 2d to spend, and 2d to lend,
and 2d to send home to the ex-wife!!
LOL!!! this song always comes to mind, sorry! :-))
23 Jan, 2010
Spritz & others, It really is worth going to Exmoor, we have travelled from Cornwall for about the last three years. The website is www.wheddoncross.org/snowdropvalley and it has this park & ride scheme because its a protected area. A little mini bus takes you down to the valley or of course if feeling fit one can walk it. The period of time this year for going is 30th.Jan - 21st Feb. I have pics somewhere, will post some if found.!!
23 Jan, 2010
Lol David it made me laugh, also I was going to have tanner, but said exactly what you said Elsie Tanner haha I knew thats what people would call me, so I went for 6d.
23 Jan, 2010
The reason we didn't get there last year was the snow - we had it planned, then the 'white stuff' came and the local paper told us that it was 'difficult' as no buses could get there, and you could walk, but it was a long way on a slippery path. MUST try this year, all being well!
23 Jan, 2010
The buses were running towards the end Spritz, we went, but you could only just see the snowdrops in places popping through the snow. The snow & scenery was spectacular. There is a pub right next door to the car parking & a village hall selling crafts & refreshments. One year a chap from a local nursery was set up selling named snowdrops.
23 Jan, 2010
glad you settled for 6d, - 6d!!!!!!!
Named snowdrops, Pam?? I can spend hours studying variety names, searching and writing down interesting ones!!!! Once, at a show, a stranger stopped me and remarked how much I looked like a plantaholic version of a punter in a bookies, studying "form". LOL!!!!
24 Jan, 2010
u a plantaholic David....as if....lol
24 Jan, 2010
Snowdrops by starlight sounds lovely but maybe a bit chilly~has all your snow gone yet?~ I have ordered some Sam Arnott in pots to put with some of my black grass~apparently slightly bigger and scented so really looking forward to those arriving~ Galanthus Augustus ~£6 buy it now on ebay!
24 Jan, 2010
:-)) Sandra!
Arlene, Many Thanks for the tip on G. "Augustus". Your "Sam Arnott" sounds really good! yes, snow all gone now. Was hoping to get out there and tidy up a bit today, but my decking's awash (it's raining heavily now). :-(
24 Jan, 2010
Oi!! You didnt tell me about the snowdrop walks!! Lol! Are there any up here?
28 Jan, 2010
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Galanthus Nivalis (Common Snowdrop Bulbs)
£2.49 at Crocus -
Anemone Sylvestris (Snowdrop Anemony, Snowdrop Windflower)
£7.99 at Crocus -
Galanthus Nivalis (Snowdrop In The Green)
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Snowdrops 50 Bulbs
£10.99 at Jersey Plants Direct -
Galanthus Nivalis
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Enjoyed the blog. It seems to me that when you have a sentimental connection with a plant or tree it makes you appreciate them even more :~)
22 Jan, 2010