This morning I spent an hour organising my photos and making a folder on my computer for the shots I have taken of my snowdrops this year. They have just about finished flowering – there is still the odd clump in a shady spot, but any flowers in the sun have gone over and I know that they will all soon be retreating into the ground for another season.

2014 has been the best year for snowdrops in my garden. Since we moved here the winters have been very cold with lots of snow, so I have not been able to enjoy the snowdrops in the way that this winter has allowed. I am lucky to have moved into a garden with some very established clumps and drifts which have been breath taking this year and have weathered the wind and rain of this winter with no ill effects.

Whilst I love snowdrops I have not yet got to the stage of identifying the different varieties that I have growing in the garden. As all but my earliest snowdrops were here before me I have no background information to go on. I have, however, invested in Freda Cox’s book ‘A Gardener’s Guide To Snowdrops’ and I have at least now realised that the snowdrops in my garden are different shapes and sizes and come into flower at different times. That is quite a move on from seeing them just as singles or doubles. Next year I will have my notebook and pencil ready for their season and make a real attempt at identifying what I have. If anyone recognises any varieties in my photos please do leave a comment.

As much as I am looking forward to the season ahead I am very sorry to be saying goodbye to the beautiful snowdrops that have brought such joy to my winter garden. Looking at my photos this morning I decided that I could not let them go without a farewell feature here in my garden blog.

Clump of Snowdrops

These are my earliest flowering snowdrops – I brought a clump with me from our last home and they are always out by 10th January. These were the first to finish flowering a few weeks ago. My original clump is now four good sized clumps and I think I will split them again later this month.

Clump of Snowdrops

Snowdrops & Hellebore

I love the combination of snowdrops and the hellebores that are settling down in my borders.

Snowdrops In A Silver Bowl

This was an arrangement made for ‘In A Vase On Monday‘ in February.

Snowdrops In A Crystal Vase Snowdrops In A Crystal Vase

These two little vases formed part of my post for Garlic and Sapphire in February.

Drifts of Snowdrops

I am gradually building up the clumps of snowdops under the trees outside the greenhouse by lifting and dividing them after flowering.

Drifts of Snowdrops

I have some large drifts in the woodland behind the greenhouse. They started flowering there in February and are just going over.

Drifts of Snowdrops

Another view of snowdrops and hellebores. I think the snowdrops in the foreground are doubles.

Drifts of Snowdrops

This is the largest drift growing close to the old coach house in the front garden, where the chickens now have their home. The front garden is also home to a lot of wild rabbits and visited by the occasional deer. I have tried to grow crocus, muscari and tulips without success – something certainly treats them as a tasty meal. Snowdrops, narcissi, iris reticulata and hyacinths, however, remain untouched.

Clump of Snowdrops

A clump of later flowering snowdrops.

Snowdrops Snowdrop Vase

A final arrangement made yesterday to enjoy in the house before the last of the snowdrops go over.

So for this year it is time to say goodbye to these beautiful little flowers. Since discovering snowdrops the winter has become a season that I now anticipate and enjoy, rather than a period to retreat indoors. Whilst I am delighted to see the blossom bursting out on the cherry trees and the tulips poking up in the borders I will miss the quiet period in my garden when I can walk around with the dogs and really appreciate each individual winter flower and shrub.

I hope that you have enjoyed this last look at the snowdrops for this year.