Monty's month

The snowdrops at Longmeadow are at their very best in the first two weeks of February.

They all originate from one small clump given to us by a friend 30 years ago, which we planted in the Spring Garden.

Gradually these have spread, both by seed and by division, lifting each clump every few years, dividing and replanting so that now we have most of the Spring Garden covered, as well as the grassy area between the Cottage and Damp Gardens, and also flanking the path of the Writing Garden. Unlike most bulbs, snowdrops are happiest in fairly damp soil and will tolerate light shade, so the fact that these parts of Longmeadow regularly flood does not bother them at all. In fact, I often find the flowers blooming under a foot of water for days on end!

As long as they last, I like to keep a few small posies of the delicate little flowers in the house - not too many as I want them to spread by seed - but enough to delight in their beauty and fragrance.

Plant lily bulbs