Spring bulbs: Galanthus. The arrival of Snowdrops en masse is the classic sign that a new year of new growth is underway. As I mentioned last week the beginning of February is Imbolc the ancient celebration of the beginning of spring. So I think we can say that Snowdrops are a spring bulb though the stems start to poke through as early as Christmas.

 Needless to say our Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is the most common but Victorian plant hunters introduced numerous species common to other parts of the world. This had the effect of encouraging various deliberate and accidental hybrids. I think 'Sam Arnott' (said to be G. nivalis x plicatus) is the one that proliferates in my garden as seen above. [see also entry dated 31st. January]