Snowdrops

Snowdrops

The first snowdrops burst through in our garden today. All week I have been watching them with clear signs that something was about to happen.
Maybe there is still wintry weather to come, but I always regard the first snowdrops as the first welcome indication that brighter days are on the way. It's still a while before daffodils will herald the first days of spring, yet snowdrops coming into bloom tell me those more welcome days are on their way.
So this weekend I will look no further than snowdrops. Their formal name is Galanthus, and when in full bloom they are surprisingly varied in height, flower size, shape and even colouring.
The gardeners in the family tell me that with a moist soil they will multiply and provide plenty of plants to share with neighbours.
No more than half a dozen small clusters of flowers like this at present, but for me it is convincing reassurance that spring is heading our way.