22 Feb 2012

Perthshire Snowdrops

by | posted in: Photography | 34
The first of the Perthshire snowdrops are now in bloom with the carpets of white from the native Galanthus nivalis Scottish wild flowers. Early one morning as the sun was burning off the thick mist I went down to the river bank to capture the first rays warming up these wildflowers.  There are many places on the Perthshire Snowdrop Festival Route to see spectacular drifts. However many grow wild and free along the banks of the River Almond.
snowdrops along River Almond Perthshire Scotland
sun shining through the mist and warming up the Perthshire snowdrops –  Galanthus nivalis
at the edge of the River Almond Perthshire
 down by the river
Perthshire Snowdrops Galanthus nivalis
Then as the temperature increased they slowly started to open their petals.
Perthshire snowdrops along River Almond
Much later I went back along the riverbank to capture the flowers being illuminated by the sunset in among the sand and shingle. It’s an area that does be under water frequently.

Perthshire Snowdrops Along the River

Perthshire snowdrops Galanthus nivalis at sunset along the River Almond
other photos from morning and evening

Here’s where Colour gets expensive…

I doubt I’ll ever find something similar to Galanthus woronowii ‘Elizabeth Harrison’  lurking along the river bank. But I’ll never give up looking!  If you’ve never heard of the ‘Elizabeth Harrison’ snowdrop bulb before  it was a newly discovered seedling in a Scottish garden a few years ago. It has very distinctive yellow ovaries and apical markings. Furthermore it was given the title of the worlds highest price paid for a bulb. In fact Thompson and Morgan bought it for £725.10 last week on ebay. Cheap at the price when you think of the worldwide publicity they’ve gained through their purchase!
But you know what I still prefer our  little common snowdrop arrayed in her lovely green ultra violet stripes. It’s the perfect colour for bees as it leads them to a stash of nectar and pollen.
Colorme weekly Galanthus nivalis snowdrop with ultra violet markings
 You might also be interested in these posts about Snowdrops:
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Photography Tutor and Gardener

Rosie is a garden photographer, writer and nature lover. She enjoys soaking up nature and is easily distracted from doing the weeding by anything that flutters, flies, buzzes, creeps or crawls! She enjoys sharing the beauty of creation through her photography. Rosie has been featured on TV on BBC2's The Beechgrove Garden and she uses the outdoors as her natural light studio. Her work can be seen at one of Scotland's only photography galleries - Close Gallery, 4b Howe Street, Edinburgh.

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34 Responses

  1. Ellie
    |

    Snowdrops are so pretty aren't they? Your picures are lovely. I really like your first one with the sunlight shining on them.
    The Elizabeth Harrison' snowdrop bulb is lovely and most unusual with the splash of yellow.

  3. Andrea
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    I love everything here Rosie, of course you already know how i adore your photographs. That mosaic is also very lovely, but that 3rd photo which i think you already edited is most loved. Snowdrop has the elegance it deserves in that photo, even if it doesn't have the yellow ovary as that most famous variety. I don't think you will still find it, if you do plant it in your backyard for multiplication. LOL.

  6. Deanna
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    These images are stunning. Not only the beauty of the wildflowers but the light is amazing.

  7. Connie Smiley
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    It's hard to imagine a place so lovely that snowdrops grow wild! Your photos, with the early and late light, are simply gorgeous!

  11. Carol
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    How lovely to see these sweet snowdrops. Beautiful photos!! What a fabulous setting. It is hard to believe . . . but here in Western Massachusetts we are seeing some of our snowdrops at the southern base of an old Rock Maple popping up. I am sure there must be some in bloom down in the valley. Enjoy the weekend! Carol

  14. Janet
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    The light behind your snowdrops is magical and I do love collages. Great spot. Perthshire is a wonderful part of the country.

  17. Vilmantas
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    Amazingly beautiful pictures!
    Galanthus woronowii 'Elizabeth Harrison' is just a little bit expensive :))

  20. Pia Gustafsson
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    This is my favoritspringflowers. Love the smell of them and just becaus itss the very first in my garden. Lovley pictuers. / Pia

  21. Miranda Bell
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    Really stunning pictures Rosie – looks like there's quite a lot out up your way… take care and will visit again soon Miranda x

  24. Melanie
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    How wonderful to have wild snowdrops growing right outside your door. The only snowdrops I've seen grow in peoples gardens.

  25. deb duty
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    Such beautiful little flowers and you captured them perfectly as you always do. Thank you for sharing!

  26. Alistair
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    Beautiful pictures of Nivalis in the countryside Rosie. I have to say Elizabeth Harrison does look totally unique. Pity I missed it. joking!

  27. shirl
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    Hi again Rosie, what a delightful spot highlighted by your wonderful images. I'm not familiar with the Almond but perhaps we should take a stroll down that way 🙂

  28. The Garden On Loch Ness
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    Thank you for the link Rosie – Very appreciated.
    Maybe one year we will be lucky enough to stock Elizabeth Harrison in the nursery.
    You have such lovely photos, a beautiful soft light.

  29. Caroline Gill
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    How delightful to see the snowdrops, Rosie. We took a snowdrop walk around Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire some days ago and felt so uplifted by early signs of Spring. Your photographic captures continue to amaze and delight! Beautiful soft lighting!

  31. Gail
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    Your little common snowdrop is exquisite… and your photos are a delight. The fourth one from the top is my favorite. xogail

  32. Gardens at Waters East
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    I just stumbled upon your Blog. I so like learning from others around the world and so I much enjoyed my visit today. Would like to follow but can not figure out how, maybe I will. Here on the shores of Lake Michigan it is exceptional in beauty and I try to use the lake as a backdrop whenever I can. Look over some past postings and you will see what I mean. Will see you soon again. Jack

  33. Lyn
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    Hi Rosie, lovely photos as always. Because we don't have the cult of Snowdrops in Australia, I didn't even know they looked like that inside! That last picture is my favourite.

  34. Anna
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    Great photos as always Rosie showing snowdrops in the environment that suits them best – a shady riverbank. 'Elizabeth Harrison' is a beautiful snowdrop but I think that it will be many years before us mere mortals will be able to grow her. The bees will be just as happy with the common version 🙂