Snowdrop Study Day
Snowdrop Study Day
The Snowdrop Study Day at Colesbourne Gardens is an instructive and informative deep dive into snowdrops and winter/spring gardening.
Attendees will meet other enthusiasts, learn more about snowdrops and their companion plants in the winter garden from experts and enjoy a private viewing of the Colesbourne snowdrop collection.
We hope to arrange a Study Day for the 2027 season, details to be confirmed towards the end of the year.
To give you an idea of the day, see below itinerary for our last Study Day which took place in February 2026 :
10.30 am
Assemble for coffee
10.45am
Welcome & Introduction by Sir Henry Elwes.
11.00 am
Talk by a guest speaker – His Honour Judge Ernest Cavallo, An American from Long Island “Tips & Tricks – What I Learned Growing Snowdrops”.
12.00 pm
Tour of the Garden with Katie Reynolds, Head Gardener.
1.00 pm
Lunch break Please bring your own refreshments or order at the nearby Colesbourne Inn.
2.15 pm
Talk by guest speaker – Helen Barbour, Third Generation Garden Owner of Old Court Nurseries, Malvern “Launching & Growing a Snowdrop Collection”.
3.00 pm
Plant sales & informal tour of garden
3.30 pm
Tea & Depart
Numbers are limited to 35 participants.
Price : 2027 details to to be confirmed towards the end of the year.
Email: hwg@colesbourne.net
Telephone: 01242 870264
Typical Itinerary
10.30am
Arrive for coffee.
11am
Talk: Guest speaker. Our guest speakers are hand-picked to present on a wide range of interesting horticultural subjects, offering insightful advice from both personal and professional perspectives.
12.00pm
Tour of the garden to view the Snowdrop collection lead by Head Gardener Katie Reynolds.
1pm
Lunch break: bring your own, or pre-book lunch at the nearby Colesbourne Inn.
2.15pm
Talk: Guest speaker. Another specially selected guest speaker.
3pm
Plants sales and informal tour of garden and opportunity to ask the guest speakers and Sir Henry questions.
3.30pm
Tea and depart.
Guest speakers in previous years:
Dr John Grimshaw
Dr John Grimshaw was Gardens Manager at Colesbourne Park 2003-2012 and worked with Sir Henry and Lady Elwes to restore and develop the gardens, adding many new features and plantings. These included the Spring Garden with a diversity of plants to accompany the snowdrops, lakeside planting with hellebores and coloured stems, and the addition of crocus and cyclamen between the snowdrops.
Naomi Slade
Naomi Slade is a journalist , author, designer and consultant. She works extensively within the gardening and lifestyle media as a writer and broadcaster and lectures on a range of specialist subjects. A biologist by training, naturalist by inclination, and with a lifelong love of plants and winter gardening, she is the author of the critically acclaimed “The Plant Lover’s Guide to Snowdrops” (Timber Press) and has presented on the subject on BBC Gardeners’ World. Naomi is also an award-winning designer of show gardens and other exhibits.
Colesbourne is a library for beauty and hard work. The study day is such a wonderful treasure of annual anticipation.Visitor 2018