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Beautiful snowdrops

  • Writer: Kate
    Kate
  • 10 hours ago
  • 2 min read

Have you seen the stunning display of snowdrops down Whitlingham Lane, just past the White House, within the woods?


Every year, the woodland banks are covered in this beautiful winter carpet, mimicking snow and reminding us of the hope of bright yellow daffodils and spring time to come.


📷 Could this be the perfect opportunity for a beautiful woodland shot to enter our photography competition?


I tried my best with the images below taken on a rainy day - but if and when the sun shines, these snowdrops will be extra glorious!



Where can I see these snowdrops at Whitlingham Country Park?

Head down Whitlingham Lane to where the white star is on the right of the map below. There are large clumps to the left of The White House as you look at it from the lane. Please respect all property and fences when viewing or photographing the snowdrops.


Google Maps aerial image of the south side of Whitlingham Country Park, A white star on the right of the map shows the location of large clumps of snowdrops.
Google Maps image of the south side of Whitlingham Country Park showing Whitlingham Lane.

Galanthus nivalis - the common snowdrop - many dark green stems with snowdrop white flowers dropping down from the tops of the stems. They have three white petals each and they are slightly open to reveal a lighter green centre.

What do you know about snowdrops?

  • The Latin name for the common snowdrop is Galanthus Nivalis


  • The name Galanthus covers all species of snowdrop and is said to come from "milk flower of the snow" in Greek. It is also thought the name relates to a popular style of pearl earrings from the 16th and 17th centuries rather than the snow we associate this species with


  • We love seeing these flowers here in the UK, but did you know they are not native to these parts? They actually originate from the Middle East and mainland Europe. There are around 20 species and well over 2,000 named varieties within those. Wow!


    Here are four of the different snowdrop varieties. As you can see, they vary in appearance quite a lot.



  • With beautiful white flowers, it is not surprising that they are associated with purity, hope and new beginnings as they appear, as if from nowhere, near the start of each year. Snowdrops are small but mighty. They have natural anti-freeze proteins and tough leaf tips to push up, even through frozen ground!


  • Snowdrops typically flower between January and March. As an early blooming flower, they provide an important source of food for bees to keep them going until spring


  • An incredible thing to discover is that snowdrops contain galantamine, which is used to manage Alzheimer's symptoms


  • Did you know that it is illegal to remove wild snowdrop bulbs? This rule applies to all wild plants under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in England, Scotland, and Wales, and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Just enjoy their beauty wherever they pop up!


We can't wait to see your beautiful snowdrop photos - Please send them in to us at


admin@whitlinghamcountrypark,com

 
 
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