Snowdrops in England - England's Winter Flower

Snowdrops (Galanthus) have been cherished in English gardens since the 16th century, though they aren't actually native to Britain, having been introduced from Europe. These resilient flowers, often called "February's Fair Maids" or "Candlemas Bells," brave the coldest months to become one of the first signs of spring in English gardens, woodlands, and churchyards. They typically flower between January and March, creating carpets of delicate white blooms that have inspired generations of gardeners and poets alike. Several notable English gardens and estates are famous for their snowdrop displays, including Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire, Painswick Rococo Garden in Gloucestershire, and Hodsock Priory in Nottinghamshire. The passion for collecting different varieties of snowdrops, known as "galanthophilia," became particularly fashionable during the Victorian era and continues today, with some rare bulbs selling for hundreds of pounds.