Expert's choice - Snowdrops

There is a huge range to choose from, with varying sizes, markings and prices

- By Graham Rice. Photographs by Emma Crawforth and Sarah Cuttle

When is a snowdrop not a snowdrop? When it costs £50 or more for one bulb? Then, it’s either self indulgence or an investment – or it’s an infectious addiction! For there’s far more variation among snowdrops than first appears and snowdrop collectors will pay large sums of money for a special new variety. £1,390 per bulb? Yes, really.

Some varieties flower so early that by now they’re already over, while some flower so late they extend the snowdrop season well into spring. Some are fully double, some have all six petals the same length. Some have unusually large flowers, others have inner markings or outer petals with green flashes, and a few have yellow markings, instead of the usual green.