Gardeners at one of the UK’s largest snowdrop collections have said they are expecting “a truly exceptional” season.
Staff at the The Garden House near Yelverton said “a perfect alignment” of weather conditions and establishment of a private bequest would lead to the “finest display” to date.
The garden featured more than 400 named varieties of snowdrop and in 2020 became home to part of the late plant hunter Colin Mason’s Fieldgate Collection.
Head gardener Nick Haworth said a hot, dry summer and mild autumn had combined with Mason’s snowdrops reaching maturity in the 10-acre (4ha) garden.
Colin Mason was a specialist snowdrop grower and breeder from Kenilworth, Warwickshire who also travelled extensively across the world to acquire new varieties.
Mr Haworth said: “The conditions this year have created the perfect environment for Colin’s snowdrops to multiply.
“Visitors will see many of his quirky, characterful and hard-won varieties at their absolute best.”
The garden opened a snowdrop festival on Friday which is set to run until from Saturday until mid-March.
