February's fair maid

gardening, nature, snowdrops, spring

In recent years, snowdrops have grown hugely in popularity. Perhaps it’s because they are so pretty, perhaps it’s the Instagram effect. Perhaps it’s simply because in the dark days of winter , when clumps of their delicate white flowers start to emerge from the undergrowth, they are so welcome. Lord Tennyson, in his poem ‘The Snowdrop’ described them as February’s fair maid. And I think that sums them up beautifully.

Snowdrop days

In response to the increasing popularity of February’s fair maid, a local garden , Ballyrobert Cottage Garden has been opening its doors for ‘Snowdrop Days’. Included is a guided tour of the snowdrops in bloom followed by tea and cake. Well, flowers and cake is always a winning combination in my book. So off I popped down the road to spend a Saturday afternoon among the snowdrops, learning about the different varieties (of which there are about 19). We were also shown how to propagate them (which you do by dividing the bulb at the end of June and into July, making sure to have as much root as possible).

Planting combinations

Typically, snowdrops are associated with wonderful large drifts…

However, they are equally lovely, combined and indeed enhancing other plants in attractive winter displays such as

With daffodils and bergenia

Or with hellebores…

And my personal favourite – with purple and yellow crocus…

A few more words from Tennyson

Naively I thought just a few people would turn up. In the end the car park was full – a testament to how popular February’s fair maid has become. However, you could easily spot me in the crowd. I was the one lagging behind trying to take a few photographs.

I do love the ethereal quality of snow drops. They become almost translucent in sunlight and with their bowed heads, they are a modest little flower. As mentioned at the beginning, Tennyson describes their arrival so eloquently. Here is his poem in full.

“Many, many welcomes,
February fair-maid,
Ever as of old time,
Solitary firstling,
Coming in the cold time,
Prophet of the gay time,
Prophet of the May time,
Prophet of the roses,
Many, many welcomes,
February fair-maid!”

From ‘The Snowdrop’ by Alfred, Lord Tennyson