Snowdrops are known as the 'harbingers of spring' at a time when there
is little else in flower in the garden to brighten the dull winter
months. No-one should be without these dainty white gems which can
symbolize innocence, purity and hope. The author describes all known
snowdrop species, the cultivation of garden-worthy varieties and their
naming as well as their history in early European and English
literature. He includes the earliest reference to the English word
'Snowe Dropps' in 1615, preceding the previous earliest reference to
'Snow drops' in 1633. For novice gardeners and those who have never
grown snowdrops before he describes how to grow just a few reliable
varieties, with advice on buying, planting, dividing, looking after
snowdrops, labelling, diseases and companion plants. He also dispels the
myth that snowdrops are difficult and don't survive well in gardens,
giving advice on all aspects of snowdrop culture. For galanthophiles
varieties are recommended to extend their collection. This advice is
based on personal experience from growing over 100 different cultivars
in his town garden in Oxford. The sequence of flowering of different
snowdrop varieties from October to March is described, including the
autumn-flowering Queen Olga's snowdrop. This diary format of their
emergence will help gardeners learn how there can be snowdrops flowering
for six months of the year. The book is illustrated with a stunning
selection of close-up images of different varieties of snowdrops to help
aid identification of these dainty flowers. Included in the chapter on
snowdrop art are many historical images from the earliest-known snowdrop
woodcut in Dodoens' European Herbal, 1568 to more recent 19th century
images. No other author on snowdrops has attempted such an extensive
description of snowdrop art over the centuries, including advice from
Jacquie Hibbert on how to paint snowdrops, or has described the
evolution of this art form for snowdrops. The book concludes with a
useful index of all 22 recognized species and over 100 varieties with
reference to international collections.
