IN THE GARDEN
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL Sally Petitt welcomes a little winter cheer into January, as snowdrops prepare to bring a sense of spring optimism to gardens across the region
Images HOWARD RICE
J anuary can often feel like the gloomiest and longest
Understanding snowdrops When discussing snowdrops, gardeners often come across three ways they are described: species, cultivars and hybrids. A species snowdrop is one that’s found naturally, such as Galanthus nivalis or Galanthus elwesii . A cultivar (short for cultivated variety) is a plant selected by gardeners or growers for a particular trait, maybe unusual markings, double flowers or an early bloom. Hybrids occur when two species are crossed by either nature or humans, producing plants that blend features of both parents. The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is home to a diverse collection of approximately 40 snowdrop species, hybrids and cultivars that visitors can
enjoy throughout winter. Some are grown in small numbers, such as cultivars ‘Kite’ and ‘Anglesey Abbey’, while others, such as Galanthus ‘Magnet’, thrive and produce carpets of nodding white blooms that flutter in a breeze. The humble, common species ( Galanthus nivalis) is naturalised in the Botanic Garden’s wilder areas, but it is frequently found in woodlands across the UK. With a native range stretching from the Pyrenees to Ukraine, Galanthus nivalis has been grown here since the 16th century, though some accounts suggest it may have been introduced by the Romans. Such is the appeal of this diminutive winter-flowering species that there are estimated to be up to 2,500 different
of months, with the Christmas hubbub over and a diminished sense of optimism. Even for the
hardiest, most enthusiastic gardener, the idea of spending time outside can wane, but winter flowering plants such as mahonias and viburnums are able to brighten even the darkest days. For me, though, it’s hard to beat the sense of cheer provided by delicate snowdrops – or Galanthus to give them their botanical name. From the moment that their slender leaves pierce the soil in the depths of winter, there’s a sense that things are on the up. The emergence of their first flowers instantly lifts the spirits.
84 JANUARY 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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