Nurturing a new-found passion for snowdrops
SIR – One of the joys of moving house three years ago was discovering that my garden had massed snowdrops, flowering in the subsequent winter (“Milder winter and bulb auctions mean bumper year for snowdrops”, report, February 1).
I have since become a committed galanthophile, annually adding to my collection, and visiting many spectacular snowdrop gardens, most of which are privately owned and open under the National Garden Scheme. It isn’t easy to pick a favourite, but Colesbourne Park, Gloucestershire, and Benington Lordship, Hertfordshire, rank highly for the quality and abundance of their collections, as well as enjoying magnificent locations that complement their displays.
At Welford Park, Berkshire, the largest and probably the oldest woodland collection in Britain, the Norman monks planted snowdrops in the local churchyard to sanctify the souls of the departed. They also used them to decorate their church for Candlemas on February 2, by which date we must assume that they were already flowering in the 11th century. Philip Duly
Haslemere, Surrey
SIR – Admirers of the recently demolished wisteria at RHS Garden Wisley (report, February 3) could take heart that a new plant could be cultivated from the stumps during the imminent growing season, to be retained within the proposed new planting of this area.
It is an eye-catching colour, and a variety with a strong constitution. But it may well take three or four years to start to flower. I know – I have done it myself.
Alan Page
Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire
SIR – Cutting down the wonderful Wisley wisteria is an act of vandalism. These people are professional gardeners and must know that some plants are “difficult to manage”. This is simply health and safety gone mad. Duncan Rayner
Sunningdale, Berkshire