Fresh air and the beautiful, faithful first signs of spring epitomised by drifts of glorious snowdrops are a reminder of the changing seasons and the promise of what’s to come. What better way to shake off the winter and to celebrate the exciting gardening visiting year ahead than with the National Garden Scheme’s 2022 Snowdrop Festival. These glorious harbingers of the wonderful life of gardens to come can be viewed in 100 National Garden Scheme gardens throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland during January, February, and March.
On a wintry day there is nothing better than visiting a garden gleaming with one of the earliest flowering plants of the year. Whether you enjoy carpets of naturalised white in woodlands* meticulously grown rare varieties of snowdrops** or gardens boasting a colourful mix of snowdrops, hellebores, and other early spring flowers – there is something for galanthophiles and garden enthusiasts alike.
George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, says:
“Following the restrictions of 2020 and 2021 there has never been a greater need to start the new year with the beautiful freshness of the first blooms of spring. But garden visiting at this time of year isn’t just for galanthophiles who are looking to discover a rare variety of snowdrop in gardens they may never otherwise find. Snowdrops are the perfect antidote to the winter blues and spending the afternoon at one of our 100 Snowdrop Festival gardens is the ideal opportunity to get outside and enjoy some spectacular scenes at an otherwise gloomy time of year.”
Snowdrop Festival Facts
- 100 gardens are opening for the National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival in 2022.
- Many of the gardens feature Galanthus, hellebores and other early spring flowers.
- 38of the snowdrop gardens are also open and open by arrangement for groups of 2 – 50.
- **Among the gardens opening many are owned by snowdrop experts including: Copton Ash, Kent; Higher Cerubeer, Devon; Knowle Hill Farm, Kent; Pembury House, East Sussex; Hollyhocks, Oxfordshire; Spring Platt, Kent.
- *Other stunning displays can be found at Welford Park, Berkshire; East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Somerset; Chawton House, Hampshire; Blakenham Woodland Garden, Suffolk; Gatton Park, Surrey; Walkern Hall, Hertfordshire.
- For romantics, 27 snowdrop gardens open over the Valentine weekend (12th-13thFebruary) with Little Court, Hampshire open on Monday 14th
- A list of all snowdrop gardens is available via ngs.org.uk/snowdrops from December 8th
- The festival runs between 1st-28th February; however a few gardens are open for snowdrops in late January and early March too.
- Originally launched in 2016 to mark the Year of the English Garden, the National Garden Scheme has been championing the Snowdrop Festival ever since, creating a wonderful taster for the garden visiting year to come
- The snowdrop gardens attract high visitor numbers. The uncomplicated visitor experience – often accompanied by a warming bowl of soup or hot drinks – fresh air and the beautiful, faithful first signs of spring are a reminder of the changing seasons and the promise of what’s to come
To find your perfect snowdrop garden visit ngs.org.uk/snowdrops (live from December 8th) or download the National Garden Scheme app.
For more information and snowdrop garden videos see Snowdrops Archives – National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk)
