These cheery plants tell us that spring is on its way and so it’s unsurprising that they have traditionally been the symbol of hope. It's great seeing them appear in gardens, giving an early source of food to pollinators on a warmer winter day but they are truly stunning when you see carpets of them through our woodlands, adding to a sense of wellbeing on a frosty, sunny winter walk. The purists may say that they are not a native species but they were first recorded here in the 1770s, so they’ve been residents for quite some time.

Where to see snowdrops

However, the Matts and Aidan all stress that snowdrops look a lot better in situ, so please don’t be tempted to pick them or dig them up as they are endangered. It’s unlawful to uproot any part of a wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier (that’s us), and even worse than that is the traditional belief that if snowdrops are picked and brought into the house they can bring bad fortune, or even death – don’t say you haven’t been warned.

Did you know?

Here are a few more fun facts about snowdrops:

• Galanthomania is a term coined to describe the passion felt by devoted fans of these plants. The more derisive term Galanthobore can be used to describe those that can talk about little else between January and March.
• A good way of cultivating snowdrops in your garden is to dig up any clumps, gently divide them and replant.
• They have traditionally been used in healing remedies for headaches but in more modern medicine a compound in the bulb is being used in the development of treatments for dementia.  
• However, snowdrop bulbs don’t make good snacks as they are poisonous.

I’ll stop before I risk becoming a Galanthobore.