Usually around early January, pools of colour begin to emerge from the bare ground in the garden surrounding this beautiful Grade IIlisted thatched cottage near Long Marston. That said, Margaret Noakes has noticed that climate change is altering the experience of winter and early spring in the garden, affecting the timing of the appearance of the snowdrops and early bulbs. First to appear are Galanthus plicatus ‘Three Ships’ and Galanthus elwesii, followed by groups of other unusual snowdrops, as well as Cyclamen coum and the winter aconite, eranthis. They begin to form a bejewelled carpet, which continues with fritillaries, irises and camassias.
John aimed to go out every day while the early bulbs emerged, as they lifted his spirits on a damp winter’s day, providing a welcome injection of colour. The couple amassed a significant collection
