Snowdrops tend to be the first flowers to bloom in England every year — according to the Woodland Trust, 26 January is the average date of the first snowdrop flowering. If you’re desperate to see something bloom against the bleak winter backdrop, here’s where you can get in on the snowdrop action in London.
Snowdrops at Kew Gardens
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This famous botanical garden is the obvious place to get your snowdrop fix — almost all of the 20 known varieties can be seen here, and Kew researchers discovered a new species as recently as 2019. You’ll find most of Kew’s snowdrop collection in the Rock Garden, and neighbouring Davies Alpine House in the north-east corner of the gardens.
Snowdrop sale at Myddelton House Gardens
Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield has a reputation for its snowdrops, which usually start emerging in mid-January. Head to the Alpine Meadow area to marvel at a carpet of snowdrops and crocuses, swiftly followed by daffodils as the temperature rises. The garden was designed by renowned botanist Edward Augustus Bowles, who lived in Myddelton House from 1865 to 1954.
And if you want to recreate the snowdrop experience in your own garden, visit Myddelton House on 28 January 2023, when several nurseries gather for a snowdrop sale, selling common and rare varieties of the plant. In previous years, they’ve sold out pretty sharpish, so we’d recommend getting there early (it opens at 7.30am…).
Myddelton House Gardens, snowdrop sale on 28 January 2023.
Snowdrops at Chelsea Physic Garden
Chelsea Physic Garden reopens after its winter break on 22 January 2023, when it’s hoped the extensive display of snowdrops will be ready for viewing. On that Sunday, George G. Brownlee gives a talk on his 2021 book ‘A Passion for Snowdrops: a personal perspective’.
There aren’t specific snowdrop days this year, perhaps due to the unpredictability caused by warmer weather, but there is a snowdrops tour led by a member of the gardening team on 26 January. Various snowdrop varieties are usually available to buy in the garden’s shop if you fancy recreating the experience at home.
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Chelsea Physic Garden, from 22 January 2023.
Willing to travel further afield for your snowdrops? National Trust has a guide to snowdrops at its properties across the south-east, including Cliveden in Buckinghamshire and Bateman’s in East Sussex.
