Snowdrop

My favourite early Spring flower has always been the Snowdrop or Galanthus Nivalis.

Now however, according to the RHS, the common snowdrop is apparently becoming more and more scarce in the wild. A study carried out by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature looked at many species globally which are in danger of extinction. A team at Kew Gardens used this data and has revealed that certain plants, including Galanthus Nivalis, although once common, are now more threatened in the wild than was thought.

However on a more positive note, there is always a good show of snowdrops in the garden at the end of the Thicket path coming into Houghton which I am really pleased was kept when the house was converted into flats for the over 55's.

Snowdrops need moist soil and light shade and mature clumps can be divided after flowering and then replanted. Bulbs can be planted around September/October time but hopefully we still have time to plant some more now and increase their presence in the coming Spring.

I for one would hate to see them disappear but perhaps we can do our bit to help them survive.

Anne