Passion for snowdrops
For many people the arrival in the garden of galanthus nivalis, better known as the snowdrop, signals the start of spring.
This little pearl of light that breaks through the dark winter nights is a welcome sight and one that draws countless people to well-known snowdrop sites in their area.
Head gardener at Kelmarsh Hall, Esther McMillan, has already prepared the beds where the snowdrops flower in time for snowdrop weekend (today and tomorrow)
She said: "I think people are keen to get out of their homes after being stuck inside all winter, it is a sense of hope that spring and warmer weather is on its way.
"There are many different kinds of snowdrop, single and double and with different markings.
"Keen people, galanthuphiles, can get really soppy.
"They will get down on their hands and knees in the snow to look at them more closely, almost to the point they will use a magnifying glass.
"They will gently turn them over to study the markings underneath.
"At Kelmarsh we only have the common variety of snowdrop, but they still attract a lot of people."
Growing and caring for snowdrops is relatively easy.
Once a small clump is planted nature tends to take over and further flowers can be expected in future years.
Snowdrops should be planted in an area where the grass is not too strong and where there is a reasonable amount of shade.
At Kelmarsh the snowdrops are planted alongside an oak tree lined
walkway where the dappled shade is an ideal setting.
In winter you need to rake off any fallen leaves where the snowdrops grow and maybe put down a little mulch as soon as the shoots start to show, but after that you need do nothing but step back and admire the flowers.
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Weather for Kettering
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
