Galanthophiles, otherwise known as snowdrop collectors, are among the most competitive varieties of gardeners.

Snowdrops can be sold for record-breaking sums of money (the current record stands at £1,600) and growers keep their locations secret in order to avoid their nurseries being stripped of their prized bulbs.

Joe Sharman, the UK’s leading snowdrop expert says: “Stealing snowdrops is like stealing a Van Gogh – if it’s rare, all the galanthophiles will know who propagated it and where it was stolen from.”

Joe brings his collection to Kent’s Great Comp Garden, near Borough Green, on Sunday, February 22, where they will be on display from 10am until noon.

In addition to Joe’s collection there will be several other nurseries offering choice snowdrops and early spring flowering plants. Entry costs £6 for adults and £2.50 for children over five.

Visit www.greatcompgarden.co.uk

SNOWDROP EXTRAVAGANZA

The Kent Hardy Plant Society will be holding a Snowdrop and Hellebore Extravaganza at Goodnestone Park Gardens, near Canterbury, on Sunday, February 22.

The speaker will be Val Bourne who has been awarded Journalist of the Year by the Guild of Gardeners. She will talk about ‘snowdrops in the right place at the right time’ at noon.

There will be nurseries selling a wide range of plants from 11am to 4pm. Entry is £6 for adults and £2 for children.

Visit www.goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk