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.
We are currently planning our next study day which will take place in February 2026. 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.
An example of a previous itinerary for the day :
10.30 am
Assemble for coffee
11.00 am
Talk by a guest speaker. (In February 2025 the speaker was Val Bourne, an award winning garden writer and hands on Galanthophile – “My Spring Cottage Garden”)
12.00 pm
Tour of the Garden with Katie Reynolds, Head Gardener and Sir Henry Elwes
1.00 pm
Lunch break. Please bring your own refreshments or order at the nearby Colesbourne Inn.
2.15 pm
Talk by guest speaker. (In 2025 the speaker was Susan Alexander, a well known author who has lectured widely throughout Europe on British naturalists – “The Rugged Life of a Victorian Plant Collector”)
3.00 pm
Question and Answer session.
3.30 pm
Tea and biscuits. Sales table open.
Numbers are limited to 35 participants.
Price : to be confirmed for 2026
To book your place please email: hwg@colesbourne.net
Telephone: 01242 870264
Typical Itinerary
10.30am
Arrive for coffee, tea and biscuits.
Sales table open.
1pm
Lunch break: bring your own, or pre-book lunch at the nearby Old Rectory Restaurant or Colesbourne Inn.
3.30pm
Tea and biscuits. Sales table open.
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.
2.15pm
Talk: Guest speaker. Another specially selected guest speaker.
12.00pm
Tour of the garden to view the Snowdrop collection lead by Sir Henry Elwes and Head Gardener Katie Reynolds.
3pm
Q & A session : The opportunity to ask the guest speakers and Sir Henry questions.
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