If you go down to the woods today you might be in for a bigger surprise that you think
Hunting for snowdrops is one of the joys of this time of year, and can feel like a natural treasure hunt. Seeing their little white heads poking up through the dark floor, whether you’re in the forest or even just taking a turn around the garden is a magical moment that signals the thaw of winter. And February is Galanthomania time, as Galanthophiles (snowdrop lovers) the world over hunt for new species, which, rather thrillingly, can crop up literally anywhere.
If you have a couple of different species sneaking up through the lawn in your garden, or know of some woods nearby where they proliferate, it’s worth getting your knees dirty to crouch down and check that what you’re looking at isn’t a rare or brand new species.
The current record for the sale of a single snowdrop is just under £1,400 for a ‘Golden Fleece’ snowdrop, which would certainly put a spring in your spring step. But how do you tell a (literally) common or garden snowdrop from something a little rarer?
How to spot a Special Snowdrop
Golden Fleece Snowdrops have an open look. as if they were drapped upon someone’s shoulders (hence the fleece), with splashes of lime green on the petals. Elizabeth Harrisons have a golden ‘ovary’ (the bulb bit between petals and stem) and a yellow shade to the petals. Meanwhile, Green Tears have lime green stripes on the outer petals and are a brighter green inside. You can also look out for varieties with green spots on the inside of the petals, various differences in colours, and petals that flare out or appear a different shape to normal.
What should I do if I spot Snowdrop Treasure?
You need to ask the landowner’s permission to take just a small piece of the bulb. If you get lucky and they’re in your garden, obviously it’s finders keepers. The way to make money from them is to then grow them on and be able to sell more to collectors. But we think the most magical part is simply being able to become a rare plant collector just by stepping outside your front door.
You can read more about snowdrop walks and other things to do in your lunchbreak in our feature, Make A Break For It, in our Feburary issue, which is out now.
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