Time to celebrate our beautiful, dainty white flower that brings joy at this time of year

Snowdrops, snowdrops everywhere. In the garden, along the lanes, in the wild, down by the stream.....so, so beautiful and NOW they are at their peak. I hadn't realised it before - but I'm a Galanthophile - it sounds as if I've turned into a weird creature, but all it means is that I'm a lover of Snowdrops. Maybe you are too.

Here in our corner of Somerset we are so lucky that the little white flower feels very at home and has continuously brought joy to so many as it emerges year after year. When I arrived in Somerset, over 40 years ago I was amazed and delighted by the sheer quantity of snowdrops emerging along the country lanes. It's so at home, thriving and spreading every year. Just going by the snowdrops in The Cottage Beyond's garden - we planted a few clumps and now they have turned into a beautiful white carpet by the edge of the lawn.

It's also wonderful to see random clumps of snowdrops on the farm along by the stream. We haven't planted them - they've just appeared. Presumably bulbs or seeds have travelled along the stream and landed on suitable ground, or maybe transported by birds or animals?

They are incredibly tough little plants. Blooming at the end of winter, often pushing their way through challenging soil conditions. They're trying to get ahead of the game and all the competition of other plants that wait for better conditions. Even at this time of year there are solitary bumblebees or flies that have also braved the conditions and out looking for whatever pollen they can find - and the snowdrop is waiting for them. They've cleverly built their own weather defences too - their leaves are waxy, protecting the delicate tissues inside from freezing and the petal arrangement protects the reproductive organs from rain and snow.

We're very lucky as we're surrounded by so many. However If you're not so fortunate and in need a snowdrop fix - check the World Wide Web and find one of the many Snowdrop Festivals near you.

Locally we have the famous Snowdrop Valley up on Exmoor, near Wheddon Cross, Dunster Castle the national trust property, Snowdrop month is being held at the Bishop's Palace & Garden in Wells and there is the annual Shepton Mallet Snowdrop -Festival , all with something special for us galanthophiles!