I love going on a snowdrop walk, a chance to see a whole carpet of their tiny white nodding heads, the first signs that spring is on its way. It’s also an opportunity to drool over new varieties, a chance to add new clumps and perfect for covering up bare soil and growing around the base of deciduous shrubs. There are so many varieties of Snowdrops to choose from, the traditional single form of Galanthus nivalis, to the double form of Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus ‘Flore Pleno’ with green tips on the petals or the supersized Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’. Some nurseries or garden centres may have a few pots left, a chance to enjoy the last of the flowers this year and revel in an abundance of flowers next year (I’m adding to mine). The probability is that there will be a better success rate at growing them on from small pots of already sprouting plants than trying to grow them from bulbs.

Often mixed in with snowdrops are winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis), lighting up the shade with their sunshine yellow flowers, no matter how grey the day they are always cheerful, a hint that spring isn’t far behind.  Another bulb that works better planted ‘in the green’, normally bright yellow but new cultivars are being introduced all the time, including the pale creamy yellow of ‘Schwefelglanz’ or bright yellow with green splashes on the petals of ’Grunling’.

The bulb at this time of year that most says to me, spring is on its way are the tiny clumps of crocuses, I also like the way they bookend the growing season starting in February with varieties such as Crocus tommasinianus and then ending the season in autumn with Crocus speciosus. Often planted in shades of purple, the most commonly seen being Crocus tommasinianus, which also comes in a darker variety ‘Whitwell Purple’ or Crocus ‘Ruby Giant’ a red-purple variety. There are plenty of alternative varieties to try, Crocus ‘Vanguard’ with pale lilac petals on the outside deepening in colour in the centre or Crocus biflorus ‘Blue Pearl’ a white variety with pretty lilac dipped petals around the edges.

They too come in vibrant yellow, Crocus chrysanthus var. fuscotinctus. However, the range of shades and hues they come in is astounding, ranging from the lemon yellow of ‘Romance’ to the cream of Crocus chrysanthus ‘Cream Beauty’ with its yellow centres. ‘Snow Bunting’ is a white variety yellow centres or mix up the yellow with purple streaks by planting ‘Advance’. Whether looking to extend current bulbs, choosing some in a favourite colour or mixing and matching there are plenty of parks and gardens full of inspiration at this time of year to visit and often culminating in hot chocolate at the end of the walk.