The Whitest Of Winters

Jane streatfeild has created a beautiful country garden in the high weald of kent, which dazzles with dainty snowdrops at this time of year.

- Anne Esden

What is it about snowdrops that sets so many gardeners’ pulses racing? Individually these delicate little plants could easily be missed, but growing in neat clumps throughout the borders or romping away in naturalised drifts across grassy banks during winter, they are a cheery sign that the coldest, darkest months will come to an end and spring is round the corner. 

Having decided she would like to have more winter interest in her spectacular garden at Hoath House in the High Weald of Kent, Jane Streatfeild found herself falling for these hardy beauties. She has been gradually adding to her snowdrop collection over the past 10 years and now has approximately 100 different varieties. ‘You become more and more addicted as you go along,’ she admits. ‘But, saying that, I’m not such a galanthophile that if there’s a snowdrop that’s so fractionally different I must have it. I do choose them for their markings, of course, but also for whether they flower early or late to guarantee a long season.’

Jane moved to Hoath House 43 years ago when she married her husband, Mervyn, who has lived at the historic timbered property all his life. She and Mervyn have five children, so to begin with the garden wasn’t a priority. However, as the children grew and she had more time on her hands, Jane became a dedicated gardener.