Tuesday 6 February 2018

Galanthus......

More usually known as Snowdrops

It's a very good year for snowdrops, we didn't know how many there would be here but seems there are several clumps on the other side of the lane and a few on the house side too.





The word Galanthus is derived from the Greek words gala (milk) and anthos (flower). It has always been a symbol of purity and hope and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was often called Candlemas bell. It was considered unlucky to bring them into the house before Candlemas.

I looked on the National Gardens Scheme website and there are gardens open all over the country on Snowdrop days which are mainly in the middle of February. Plus the National Trust have woods full of snowdrops at many of the houses they own.


Not quite enough for an Open Gardens event!!
Snowdrops don't grow very well from bulbs and it's better to buy them "in the green" - a small  pot-full in flower will soon spread when planted out.

It seems that many poets have waxed lyrical about the Snowdrop, The Famous



http://www.grubbylittlefaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/tennyson-the-snowdrop-poem.jpg

 and William Wordsworth

TO A SNOWDROP

          LONE Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they
          But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
          Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
          Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,
          Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay
          The rising sun, and on the plains descend;
          Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend
          Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May
          Shall soon behold this border thickly set
          With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing                
          On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers;
          Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,
          Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
          And pensive monitor of fleeting years!

 And the not so famous.............. this was in a children's poetry book

SNOWDROPS
I like to think 
That, long ago
There fell to earth
Some flakes of snow
Which loved this cold,
Grey world of ours
So much, they stayed 
As snowdrop flowers
By Mary Vivian


  Back Soon
Sue

27 comments:

  1. I'm too for Mary.

    Joan (Devon)

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    Replies
    1. A sweet little poem from a childrens poetry book

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  2. Such a wonderful post, it was a joy to visit today.

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  3. Love snowdrops. I agree I´m for Mary xcx

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  4. They're lovely. We seem to have an abundance of them this year. At the moment they are just poking their little heads through the snow. X

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    1. They have been flowering for several weeks now

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  5. These also grow well on the eats coast of Australia. I remember singing "Snowdrops and crocuses, heralds of spring...." in infant school.

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    1. Don't know that song, but it sounds right for spring

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  6. I walked into the paddock the other morning and went to pick up one of the dog's balls from the middle.. When I reached it it was a clump of snowdrops! Heaven knows how it got there. As soon as the flowers are finished you can move and transplant snowdrops (I know that you knew that)
    Gill

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  7. So much beauty in such a tiny little thing.
    I love snowdrops.
    Hugs-x-

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  8. to in the darkness of winter, it is always lovely to come across a clump of snowdrops.

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  9. The poems are wonderful. Snow drops, along with crocus are the first flowers we see here in the spring.

    God bless.

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  10. There, you have Snowdrops.

    Here we have;
    ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM WEDNESDAY TO 4 AM EST THURSDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 11 inches are expected.

    :-)))

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    1. That sounds a wee bit cold! Whereabouts are you....USA or Canada.
      I've hopped over to visit your blog, you have found some lovely illustrations. Saw your post about Agatha raison books I've not read one, when I tried one I thought it was rubbish!

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  11. I've been admiring banks of them today too...they fill me with such hope!
    Arilx

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  12. We've got wonderful displays of Snowdrops here this year. I didn't realise we had so many.

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  13. Oh, they are very beautiful indeed! Meg:)

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