The English Garden

A Breath of FRESH AIR

The most Elizabeth Cairns has spent on a snowdrop bulb is around £40. “Something like that. I do try to be sensible about it.” As any collector will understand though, it is addictive. Elizabeth grows more than 120 varieties in her Kent garden, which flower from November to March. She hosts open days for snowdrop lovers in February and regularly visits other snowdrop collections around the country where bulbs change hands like precious contraband. She’s not exaggerating when she says: “Snowdrops are big in this garden.”

“They do cheer you up,” she adds. “My husband suffers a little bit from SAD, and I’d happily skip November, December and January really, particularly when they’re grey.” As winter gloomily grips most of Kent, this little corner of the county bursts into life. leaves. They bejewel the woodland floor along with hellebores, delicate scented ‘Avalanche’, epimediums, dog’s tooth violets, crocuses and . “It’s so exciting when they do appear,” says Elizabeth. “Very cheering.”

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from The English Garden

The English Garden5 min readArchitecture
The Great ESCAPE
It would be difficult to miss Ivy Cottage. It sits in a splendid, exposed position, but the visibility is more about the colour of the house: a splendid warm ochre that sings out among the trees. When garden designer Matthew Childs and his partner mo
The English Garden5 min read
Food for Thought
Summer is here and with it an opportunity to add plants to improve your borders – although do remember to keep watering any new additions, particularly if the weather is hot and dry. One of the joys of gardening is this process of constant review as
The English Garden3 min read
TRADE SECRETS: Training Cane Fruit
Cool, damp springs are ideal for blackberries, summer- and autumn-fruiting raspberries, and their crosses, which include loganberries and tayberries. The only minor inconvenience is keeping them under control once they get growing, but making sure th

Related Books & Audiobooks