NICK wrapped up warm and hit the Snowdrop Trail last week ( Hitting the Snowdrop Trail (hardysplants.co.uk) ) , visiting Little Court in Crawley and Welford Park near Newbury. Rapidly becoming an amateur galanthophile he is planning more this weekend.

We asked him to give us the low down of what he had seen and things not to miss.

He writes,

'We may not have had much snow locally this year but there are certainly carpets of snowdrops, giving the same effect.

If you like visiting established gardens full of spring flowers you would be hard pressed to improve on the 3 acres of Little Court or the huge expanse of Welford Park in Berkshire, well known to viewers of The Great British Bake-Off as it was the programme's home from 2014 to 2019.'

Little Court

'Look out for the carpets of crocus in the orchard that seem to mirror the outline of the canopy above. There are so many, you have to step carefully at times. Apparently the owner Patricia Elkington started with ten Crocus tommasinianus bulbs sixty years ago and now has thousands. They must love her chalky alkaline soil.

Mirroring with bulbs is a very clever effect and so easy to do in your own garden. Allowing them to naturalise in your grass is an attractive and very low maintenance way of adding colour to the garden in late winter. And it is a good excuse to hold off on the mowing too.

Some impressive topiary too, neatly clipped balls and playful layered forms that look like pepperpots. The contrast of neat conformity and wild spring flowering bulbs is really striking.'

Little Court, Crawley, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 2PU

Snowdrop Open Days 12th, 14th, 20th and 21st February - advance booking possible

Visit a garden in your area - National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk)

Welford Park

'Although the snowdrops are slightly late this year, the beech woods with their carpet of snowdrops as far as the eye can see is simply stunning and not to be missed. I was lucky enough to go on a sunny day which made it even more special. Quite a few people but it never felt crowded. This has the WOW FACTOR!'

Welford Park, Welford, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8HU

Open from 2nd February until the 6th March.

For more details click Home | Welford Park

Snowdrop Gardens open in February

Chawton House

This 15 acre garden had delights all year round but hosts Snowdrop Sundays throughout February including one for the NGS.

Chawton House, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1SJ

National Gardens Scheme Snowdrop Sunday 6th February National Gardens Scheme Snowdrop Sunday - Chawton House

Snowdrop Sundays Sunday 13th and 20th February Snowdrop Sundays - Chawton House

Advance booking possible

The Down House, Itchen Abbas, Hampshire

A 2 acre garden laid out in rooms overlooking the Itchen Valley, adjoining the Pilgrim's Way. In winter, see the snowdrops, aconites and crocus, plus borders of dogwoods, willow stems and white birches.

The garden opens by arrangement from February - March for groups of 6 or more. Please contact the owner via their website to discuss your potential visit.

http://www.thedownhouse.co.uk

If you want to know more about Galanthus or Snowdrops check out our article noting their medicinal benefits in the 'News From the Nursery' Newsletter coming out this Friday. If you would like to subscribe to it follow this link, scroll to the bottom off the page and 'Join the Mailing List' You can of course unsubscribe at any time.