Carpets of snowdrops are currently delighting all eyes at The Garden House near Yelverton.

The Snowdrop Festival is now underway at the garden celebrating these white beauties in all their variety. It runs until mid-March.

Of note this year, the unusual collection of snowdrops inherited from the estate of snowdrop collector Colin Mason have really come into their own.

This, coupled with 2025’s hot dry summer followed by a mild autumn has prompted a wide range of snowdrops across the garden to divide and thrive.

“The conditions this year have created the perfect conditions for Colin’s snowdrops to multiply,” said head gardener Nick Haworth. “Visitors will see many of his quirky, characterful and hard-won varieties as their absolute best.”

Find out more at www.thegardenhouse.org.uk

January flowering clump of the glaucous leaved hardy giant snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii
January flowering clump of hardy giant snowdrop Galanthus elwesii. Picture: John Richmond. (John Richmond)
Snowdrops on the banks and borders of the Long Walk. House in background
Snowdrops on the banks and borders of the Long Walk, the house itself in the background. (John Richmond)
Galanthus Phil Cornish. Picture: John Richmond.
Galanthus Phil Cornish. Picture: John Richmond. (John Richmond)
Close up, the difference can always be observed. Picture: John Richmond.
Close up, the differences in each variety can be observed and appreciated. Picture: John Richmond. (John Richmond)
Snowdrops on the bank leading down to the Walled Garden
A drift of delicate snowdrops. Picture: John Richmond. (John Richmond)
Snowdrops in the birchwood with Betula 'Festowii' in the background
Snowdrops in the birch woods in the garden. Picture: John Richmond. (John Richmond.)