'Truly exceptional' snowdrop season, say gardeners

8 hours ago

Lisa YoungSouth West

News image — Organisers say visitors could see more than 400 different types of snowdrop during the festival, including the Galanthus elwesii

John Richmond A clump of snowdrops, variety Galanthus elwesii, in bloom. The flower heads are delicate and made of three white petals while their centre is white and green. — Organisers say visitors could see more than 400 different types of snowdrop during the festival, including the Galanthus elwesii

Gardeners at one of the UK's largest snowdrop collections have said they are expecting "a truly exceptional" season.

Staff at the The Garden House near Yelverton said "a perfect alignment" of weather conditions and establishment of a private bequest would lead to the "finest display" to date.

The garden featured more than 400 named varieties of snowdrop and in 2020 became home to part of the late plant hunter Colin Mason's Fieldgate Collection.

Head gardener Nick Haworth said a hot, dry summer and mild autumn had combined with Mason's snowdrops reaching maturity in the 10-acre (4ha) garden.

John Richmond A close-up photo of a pair of Galanthus Cornish Phil in bloom. They have rain drops on them and their petals are white with green markings. — Galanthus Cornish Phil is one of the varieties bequeathed to The Garden House by plant hunter Colin Mason

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Colin Mason was a specialist snowdrop grower and breeder from Kenilworth, Warwickshire who also travelled extensively across the world to acquire new varieties.

Mr Haworth said: "The conditions this year have created the perfect environment for Colin's snowdrops to multiply.

"Visitors will see many of his quirky, characterful and hard-won varieties at their absolute best."

The garden opened a snowdrop festival on Friday which is set to run until from Saturday until mid-March.