A Farewell to Snowdrops

There are still snowdrops in flower in the garden, in full flower and in good condition, but they are the last stragglers at the end of a long season which started here with the first flowers of Galanthus reginae olgae 'Rachel Mahaffy' at the end of September. While the first flowers were prized and a …

A Touch of Winter

Yes, we've had a few days with a touch of winter. We're not really into winter here in Ireland; we don't have the dramatic changes of season experienced in countries further north or in central Europe; it's not something we want to experience but it is a good source of grumbling material, something to complain …

Just being Miserable!

I'm good at it; very good at it, I'm told - at being miserable, that is! I put it down to practice and, as you have heard, practice makes perfect so, yes, I am perfectly miserable! The flu came on the 20th of December and, though the dramatic misery has passed, it now lingers with …

A Gardener’s Guide to Snowdrops

The almost wildfire enthusiasm for snowdrop not only continues but is growing – a genuine galanthomania where amateur enthusiasm and commercial opportunism lead to a constant stream of newly named snowdrops – and it is a daunting challenge for any author to attempt a comprehensive listing of all cultivars. Indeed, it has frustrated others as …

Winter Whites.

A change of colour is good for the soul so why settle for the blue when you can have white – and this is the season to be white; not the white of the heavy snows causing havoc in central Europe at the moment but the white of snowdrops in the garden. The unusual weather …

‘Barnes’ is the first!

The first snowdrop of the year is always awaited with excitement and anticipation. Yes, I have already had snowdrops in flower in the glasshouse, as early  this year as the end of September, but those in the garden are the ones most valued and appreciated for they show the wonder of the snowdrop - a …

Brushing up the New Year.

  Yes, it is practically imperative that we move forward in a positive and buoyant manner. It is demanded of us to be happy and upbeat but I find all such carry-on just too energetic. However, I am happy and delighted with news of progress in a project in which I am involved. The Irish …

Snowdrop Time is with us again!

The major event of the snowdrop season is the open week at Altamont Gardens in Co. Carlow. The gardens are open to the public completely free of charge and Paul Cutler, the head gardener, gives a guided walk of  the garden twice each day pointing out the various cultivars grown in the garden and telling …

More Than Just a Pretty Flower

Growing snowdrops has become a particular interest of mine over the past twenty years and while I would not wish to be labelled a “galanthophile” I do enjoy them very much. The term “Galanthophile” when originally introduced by E.A. Bowles meant, very simply, “a lover of snowdrops” while nowadays the term has come to signify …