Snowdrops - heralds of spring

snowdrops

We often speak about the flowers that herald the arrival of spring and yet what about snowdrops?  This is the flower that is known to herald the end of winter. Snowdrops tend to start flowering in January around here, a month we can sometimes get snow….. so really the name ‘snowdrops’ is very apt!  Right now they are beginning to bloom in our borders and along the roadsides. What a welcome sight they are during the long, dark and dull days of January!

Fair Maids of February

Yes, lovely snowdrops. They are more commonly called, most appropriately, the ‘Fair Maids of February’ or the ‘Flower of Hope’. With their grey green sword like leaves and drooping bell shaped snow white flowers they create a pretty display in our gardens.

In the cold and wet weather of February snowdrops push their way through the frozen earth to create swathes of white carpet in woodlands, meadows and gardens. Its Latin name ‘Galanthus nivalis’ means ‘milk flower’ and ‘nivalis’ meaning ‘of the snow’. If you want snowdrops in your garden next spring.  plant the bulbs are early as you can in the summer or early autumn (August even). If you are lucky enough to have clumps in your garden already, you  can move them ‘in the green’.  That is, dig up the clump while it is in leaf/flower, divide it and then replant.  This has the added advantage that you can actually see the plants, which you can’t do for most of the year, once it’s died down!

Although this lovely plant naturalises very easily once established, it can be tricky in its early days. It requires a moist environment to truly thrive often preferring damp woods and shady gardens. so avoid planting where the soil might dry out over the summer. Need advice? Call our Garden Centre in Titchfield where one of our staff will help you.

Did you know that Snowdrops are not native to the UK, although no one quite knows when they were introduced.

And did you know that they produce a naturally occurring substance called galantamine which is used to help treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?  The bulbs themselves are poisonous, though, so don’t try to eat them!

These and more interesting facts about Snowdrops courtesy of the National Garden Scheme website here.

Further reading to get you through the dark winter months:
Jobs in your garden in January
Jobs in your garden in February
What to plant in January
What to plant in February
Enjoy an established garden in the summer months
Join us as we reminisce about gardening over the years

Testimonials

Hambrooks

Testimonials

N. Haggard 20 September 2022

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how delighted I am with my new garden.

Jon, my designer, listened to my ideas and delivered on everything I asked for. I wanted something different to any garden I’d had before, no lawn, no landscaping but packed with plants. He designed such a lovely secret garden, around a statement tree. And I have to commend him for his unwavering patience! I changed my mind a hundred times but never did he give me the impression that he was losing patience with my endless indecision. And my confidence in him led me to place an order for over £10k.

My landscaping team, Blade and Tony, were exceptional, from their work ethic, skill and knowledge, to the way they dealt with me, the customer. My standards are very high and I couldn’t fault them.

All in all, a very professional team of people. And it showed that they all care. I’m over the moon with the finished result. I will send you a before and after photo. Thank you so much.

A delighted customer.

G. Gray. May 2022

My front garden has been transformed by Andy and Bradley who both worked incredibly hard and I am delighted with the result. Andy had the vision and skill to turn my idea into reality and I can't thank him enough.

C. Haig Sept 2021

We recently had our garden landscaped by Hambrooks and I just wanted to pass on my thanks, not just for the outcome - which is superb - but for the professionalism of all the staff involved on the job who are all a credit to you company. Mike, Dave, Les and Adam.

H. Sharp Sept 2021

I just wanted to let you know how delighted I am with my new garden. Melanie was a delight to work with and the ideas she had have worked perfectly. Also Sheldon laid the patio beautifully and him and Dave were a pleaseure to have at my house. Quiet workers and polite.

B. Rendell April 2021

I would like to say how delighted we are with the work carried out. Mel, Paul and Tony all worked very hard, they totally took on board the specific need relating to safety as well as the general garden issues. Paul and Tony were excellent at consulting and discussing with me what I felt best in terms of the brief and adjusting if and as necessary, constantly pleasant and polite to deal with. Mel had picked up on particular issues from the first consultation and offered valuable advice. The outcome means a great deal less worry for me going forward.
Altogether a very positive experience and outcome which I would not hesitate to recommend to others.

Stephen March 2021

Dom and Adam's work (garden maintenance) is greatly appreciated. Dom really listened to everything we discussed very carefully and went out of his way to understand and then act upon that discussion. We are extremely pleased with the work done - both to the pond and pyracantha.

Marsha

We have been coming to Hambrooks for years and it's our favourite garden centre because of its friendly helpful staff and a great selection of plants and trees and the garden design ideas.

“We wanted to write and say how pleased we are with our low maintenance garden makeover. We are very impressed with the attitude of your staff who were prepared to listen to our requirements. Your team John and Rick brushed up and left everything tidy at the end of the day. We now have a garden we can manage and it looks great. THANK YOU HAMBROOKS.”

Mr & Mrs Venables, Southampton. April 2019

“Dear Josh & Mike We just want to say you both did a brilliant job of designing our garden along with the guys who did the work who were amazing. A few weeks on its looks even better now some of the plants are blooming. Thank you!!”

Mr & Mrs Gazzard, Winchester July 2019

“To James, John & Rikki. Thank you so much, we are delighted with our new garden. We really appreciate the attention to detail, the high quality workmanship and the standard of the finished project. We are amazed at how John & Rikki resolved the difficulties of the site and by the quality of their craftmanship. It was a pleasure to work with them and thank you for making our ideas into something we will enjoy for years to come.”
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