Where to get your SNOWDROP KICKS
Nosing their way above the ground during the coldest months of the year, snowdrops are diminutive gems reminding us that warmer weather is on the way.
And with so many publicly accessible gardens in County Carlow featuring these delicate white and green blooms peeping through the ground, their arrival is celebrated by a dedicated series of events during the region’s annual February snowdrop festival.
These are six of the gardens taking part in the festival that you can visit – some of them are open daily, others at weekends. While some feature specimens of highly prized specialist collections – others showcase the simple pleasure of woodlands carpeted with swathes of the cheerful early spring flowers.Details can be found at carlowgardentrail.com; contact the gardens for more information.
Altamont Gardens
Turn your gaze upon Tullow during Snowdrop Month (February 1-29) to see this unique collection.
Established by green-fingered former owner Corona North and further nurtured by the OPW over the last 20 years, it’s amongst Ireland’s largest with 150+ varieties.
Guided tours are at 2pm MonFri throughout the month; group tours available by appointment.
And there’s plenty to see at this 40-acre estate on the banks of the River Slaney: formal, informal and wild. The gardens are open daily for general viewing 9am-4.30pm.
Sugar and Spice Café (located in the Walled Garden) serves up hot drinks and delicious cakes. heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/ altamont-gardens
Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven
In Leighlinbridge, you’ll find a specialist snowdrop programme for February in Arboretum’s Inspirational Gardens.
Arboretum’s founder, Rachel Doyle, created the space in 2010. She likes to say the snowdrops wake up the gardens, being the first to flower every year; and then there is something different to enjoy every month after that.
There are a few thousand snowdrop bulbs in the gardens: Galanthus ‘Flore Pleno’, with its dainty fragrant double-white flowers, and the pure-white ‘Mount Everest’, a large, strong variety perfect for naturalising. The garden centre’s shop has an array of potted snowdrops including ‘Mount Everest’ and the common snowdrop ‘Nivalis’ — recorded in cultivation in Ireland as far back as the 16th century. arboretum.ie
Huntington Castle and Gardens
Listed as one of the top six gardens to visit in Ireland’s Ancient East, the 17th century grounds in Clonegall feature a delightful collection of snowdrops and crocuses in an historic setting.
Along with the snowdrop collection, you can view the French limes on the avenue, the sweeping lawns to the side of the house, the fish ponds, and Yew Tree Walk.
After the gardens head back to the castle, where a guided tour provides a window into both its intriguing past and the lives of the family who call it home today — or simply take a break and a snack in the tea rooms.
To get the full Huntington experience, consider a stay in one of their beautiful castle rooms or self-catering cottages. huntingtoncastle.com
An Gairdín Beo
This beautiful two-acre community garden project in Carlow Town centre — where people garden together — is a new addition to the snowdrop calendar. The Craft and Coffee event on Saturday, February 24th from 10am-1pm celebrates the snowdrop through various art forms. angairdinbeo.org
Shankill Castle
In Paulstown, another extensive snowdrop collection awaits each weekend throughout February, with spectacular early spring bulbs and a carpet of snowdrops. shankillcastle.com
Burtown House and Gardens
Meanwhile, just over the border in Athy, Kildare, Wed–Sun during February, Burtown House showcases its snowdrops, aconites, hellebores and early bulbs.
Hearty brunches and lunches using produce from the organic kitchen garden will be served at The Green Barn Restaurant — booking is recommended.