I know I’ve mentioned them already, but this year’s crop of snowdrops has been quite astonishing. Maybe they weren’t quite such a feature of our local landscape in France. Maybe when we last lived in England, because we were in town, we saw them only tucked into quiet corners of suburban gardens, or on occasional weekend sorties. Perhaps snowdrops round here are always this special. But for us, this year has been a real treat.
Snowdrops have been almost the first thing we see as we set foot outside the house. They’ve been in dense groves in nearby woodland. They’ve been on sheltered verges. At first slender, pointing their sheathed leaves upwards in search of light, now they’ve opened their petals into blowsy bells and flattened their leaves gently towards the ground beneath. This is the sure signal that they’re on the way out. Gardens are displaying the first of the early crocus, and even daffodils are opening in more sheltered spots. I think snowdrops prefer to be the centre of attention, prepared to share the woodland only with occasional patches of aconites. Now that spring is really on its way, and the birds are honing their voices in preparation for their courtship rituals, the snowdrops are preparing to allow their flowers and leaves to wither and die, as the bulbs enjoy their long and nourishing hibernation below ground.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
As I have already said they arrived here after yours but they also have been spectacular. Primroses are slow as well also daffodils and hellebores in my garden. Not that I blame them it’s been much wetter than they are used to.
LikeLike
I’m so glad they’ve arrived, and are as wonderful as our displays here. Yes, the ground is dispiritingly wet and soggy, isn’t it? Ah well.
LikeLike
I am almost speechless with envy. Those pictures are so lovely and I am so ready for any sign that this winter might end!
LikeLike
Oh dear. We hear you still have a bit of bad weather to come. But it WILL end.
LikeLike
Gorgeous photographs! We do have snowdrops but the lack of woodland means they hide in the hedges, we have to look a bit harder. I do have a wonderful display of sunshine yellow crocus though -right in the middle of the herb bed so I can see them from the dining table 🙂
LikeLike
Crocus? Now I’m jealous. Ours are hardly beginning, and the rain is keeping them firmly tucked up.
LikeLike
Lovely little harbingers of spring – winter has a long way to go here so thanks for sharing these great shots. I can almost smell the damp woodland earth.
LikeLike
Oh, I’m feeling quite sorry for those of you over the pond. Your winter is clearly a long and dreary one this year.
LikeLike