Go stir-crazy for snowdrops at one of the many galanthus gatherings happening all over Ireland in the coming weeks.
At Ballykealy Manor, in Ballon, Co Carlow on 1 February there are lectures by snowdrop gurus Richard Hobbs and John Massey, and you can search out snowdrops in their natural setting at snowdrop weeks at Huntington Castle, Clonegal (10-16 February), and Altamont Gardens, Tullow (10-16 February), one of the largest collections in Ireland with 100 named varieties on show.
And there's a whole month of snowdrop celebrations throughout February at Burtown House in Athy, Co. Kildare with dozens of varieties of snowdrops scattered throughout the gardens and woods.
If all that's whetted your appetite, look out for snowdrops 'in the green' (still with their leaves) on sale in our garden centre. These delicate little bulbs settle in really well when they're planted fresh, so take your pick of varieties.
Of course the natural, wild form Galanthus nivalis is the one to start with, but you'll soon get the bug and want to try more. Good ones to start your collection with include 'Atkinsii', with its elegant, elongated flowers, 'S Arnott' with relatively large, scented blooms; and delightful 'Wendy's Gold' with butter-yellow markings on the petals.
