Plan a snowdrop spectacular
Snowdrop lovers are spoilt for choice, with many RHS Partner Gardens offering special snowdrop openings and events. We've put together 10 suggestions to help you make the most of these much-loved winter favourites. RHS members enjoy free or discounted entry to most listings.
Join a snowdrop event
Six prominent snowdrop growers will be giving advice and selling rare snowdrops, including Galanthus authority Matt Bishop, Avon Bulbs and Glen Chantry. Learn to propagate and grow snowdrops, and discover how to have snowdrops flowering from October to April.
Members £2, non-members £2.50
Join an informal introduction to these much loved flowers, looking at suitable situations for snowdrops, simple identification and propagation by twin-scaling, followed by a guided nursery and garden walk.
Members £8, non-members £10 (includes tea/coffee, homemade cake and scones)
In the company of Head Gardener Ross Barbour, see the Winter Garden and more than 50 cultivars of snowdrops. Ross will give a talk and Q&A session at 1pm, providing ideas and advice on choosing and using plants for winter interest.
Members £4, non-members £5
Join owner Catherine Erskine for a brief history of how she began her renowned snowdrop collection, followed by suggestions on which snowdrops to choose when starting. Catherine will also cover how to increase stock and develop your collection.
Members: £12.50, non-members: £15
The morning features a talk (ticketed) by nurseryman and Galanthus enthusiast Ian Christie, followed by a look at Norfolk’s best snowdrops with bulb enthusiast Richard Hobbs. In the afternoon, buy plants from leading snowdrop growers at the free Snowdrop Fair (12.30–3pm).
Entry to afternoon fair: FREE.
Morning lecture: members £9.50, non-members £12
Snowdrop openings - 17 and 24 February
Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire
This charming early 20th-century garden will open to visitors for special snowdrop days from 11am-3pm. See the first signs of spring around the grounds, especially along the Oak Walk.
More about Kelmarsh Hall
Admission: £3 (children free)
Visit a snowdrop garden
Appreciate and compare these winter favourites up close in Rode Hall’s new snowdrop ‘theatre’, housed in the Italian Garden. Outside in the Repton landscape, there are more than 50 snowdrop cultivars to see.
Open for snowdrops 2 February - 10 March daily (12 noon - 4pm, excl Mon). Free entry for RHS members
Admire a collection of some 80 snowdrop cultivars including Galanthus nivalis ‘Margery Fish’, named for the celebrated plantswoman who began the garden. By March, hellebores take centre stage alongside narcissi, anemones and dog’s tooth violets.
Free entry for RHS members 1 Feb–31 Mar and 1 Sept–31 Oct.
This garden is deservedly famous for its snowdrops – see 140 cultivars carpeting the surrounds of a ruined Norman castle. New to the labelled borders this year are distinctively-marked G. ‘Lapwing’ and large-flowered G. ‘George Elwes’.
View our slideshow of snowdrops blooming at Benington Lordship
Free entry for RHS members 2–8 Feb (12noon–4pm)
Banish the winter blues with a walk around Minterne's woodland garden, carpeted with delicate snowdrops. The snowdrops flower alongside showy early rhododendrons including pink and cream Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer'.
Open for snowdrops daily from 16 February; free entry for RHS members