Snowdrops are such a welcome sight in the last weeks of winter. They offer the promise that winter is nearly over, the days are lengthening, and it won’t be long until we can enjoy the blooms and warmer sunshine of spring.
In his short poem, Alfred Lord Tennyson calls the snowdrop ‘A February fair maid’ and ‘a solitary firstling…. Prophet of May’. They symbolise hope and renewal.
There are some wonderful places to see snowdrops in Devon. They can be seen on Dartmoor and around the country lanes, including the ones around us here in Beaworthy. They are often to be found in churchyards too, including the church of St Alban which is next door to our house.
There are also plenty of gardens and properties to visit if you want to see beautiful snowdrop displays. Stone Lane Gardens, in Chagford, a five-acre woodland garden on the edge of Dartmoor, showcases spectacular displays and has run special volunteer days of snowdrop bulb planting if you want to get more involved. Killerton House – a National Trust estate – also offers spectacular displays of snowdrops and later spring flowers and is well worth a visit.
The annual snowdrop festival at the Garden House, near the village of Buckland Monachorum, showcases over 300 varieties. The festival runs until 12 March 2023. With so many varieties of snowdrops on display, the garden is worth visiting more than once during snowdrop season because of their differing flowering dates.
If you are one of those people who enjoys learning a new word, you may wish to add this one to your personal lexicon – Galanthophile – an enthusiastic collector and identifier of snowdrop (Galanthus) species and cultivars.
Spring is nearly here – it’s the perfect time to visit us in Beaworthy
Snowdrops are just the beginning of our spring flower displays. Every day, new signs of hope and renewal are appearing. You can check for available dates here or speak to me (Ian) on 01409 221501.
