Over the past week I’ve managed to get to several places to try and get the perfect snowdrop image. Including Kingston Lacey near Wimborne which has some pretty good views and with the good weather lots of people even during the week enjoying the spectacle. Compton Valence further west was worth a trip as it is only a short drive. How they cope with lots of visitors I have no idea as the roads are quite narrow. Still a pretty good display along the verges and banks that someone must have established at some point. As it was a weekday I was the only person wandering around. Then last of all the churchyard at Turners Puddle near Bere Begis. Here a few bright yellow aconites were flowering.
One thing common to all was how early the snowdrops are this year. For places in Dorset that are advertising special snowdrop days in mid February I would think they will be past their best by then. The ones I saw were probably at their best last week. However some in our north shaded garden are only just coming into flower whilst ones in sunnier places seem past their peak now.
And lastly with the mild winter the slugs were having a feast in some places meaning the perfect image close up can be hard to find without the wee beasties appearing in the pictures.
One thing I think many people forget is how snowdrops are not native, being an introduced species and for the best displays need a little or lot of help to maintain the displays. The best time to do this is when they are just finishing and can be transplanted to new spots in the green so to speak Although they do seed as Four mentions and spread this way, splitting existing clumps is perhaps the fastest way to increase them.
Originally Posted by: NMA