No, not a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. That is so last year.
Finally, we have got them. After reading about snowdrops for 2 months on peoples blogs, I finally spotted some. No they are not mine, I am sure that Kilbourne Grove still has 2 feet of snow, although it has been a warm week.
These were spotted in a park in downtown Toronto. They are just starting to come out, I was at the park two weeks ago and they were still hidden. This is a gorgeous little hidden away spot, that my landscape design teacher took me to see a few years ago. I will be posting on it later in the week.
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Green Theatre 
Edith Hope said,
March 8, 2010 @ 5:23 AM
Dear D, I feel so sorry for you over the whole snowdrop saga. Here, as you will know only too well, we are overrun with them and you, poor D, are struggling to find a handful for Kilbourne Grove. And I do not think it helps at all to be shown them in their thousands in other people’s gardens. Take heart, by the end of this month everyone will have moved on to daffodils!!
The prettiest display of snowdrops I know are those planted, or naturalised, in churchyards. I love those pictured by Barry Parker around the headstone of a pet.
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:43 PM
Thank you Edith, who would have thought. I loved Barrys pictures, I am thinking the headstones are a lovely way to mark a treasured companion.
gardeningasylum said,
March 8, 2010 @ 5:49 AM
How precious they are – mine seem to have disappeared altogether this year and I’m wondering if there’s a lack of some key ingredient around here. Good luck in your continued quest!
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:44 PM
How odd, Cyndy, I wonder why they haven’t come back for you. Is it possible the bulbs rotted? I do not think they are attractive to animals.
JP said,
March 8, 2010 @ 6:19 AM
I just saw my first snowdrops of the season as well – 1000 miles from home. It was nice nonetheless, after reading so much joy from everyone else over them!
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:45 PM
I see you live in Vermont, not sure where you saw the snowdrops. You should plant some in your garden, a nice little lift in the very early season.
jodi (bloomingwriter) said,
March 8, 2010 @ 7:09 AM
Happy happy Joy Joy… I totally love snowdrops, but I’m still a ways from seeing them, unless the mild sunny days continue for a week or two. (looks pleadingly at the sky, which is giving us a third day featuring blue hues and a funny glowing yellowish orb). Snowdrops aren’t the showiest game in town, but they sure are gorgeous and happy-making.
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:48 PM
Jodi, I have been looking pleadingly as well, between the two of us, we will bring spring on. I think it is because they aren’t showy, that they are not very popular. My father once said, when I was showing a frittilaria uva vulpis, “It’s not very colourful, is it!”
Anna said,
March 8, 2010 @ 7:31 AM
Yaaaaaaaay ! I hope that you have some to enjoy in your own garden soon Deborah 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:51 PM
If the weather stays as beautiful as it has been, it won’t be long.
Carol Flower Hill Farm said,
March 8, 2010 @ 7:43 AM
Deborah, I confess to being somewhat astonished that you find these in Toronto! I best go out and look beneath my Rock Maples! Yours must be in a southern exposure. I do hope this means an early spring for us here in the northern hemisphere. Sweet little bells! I look forward to your next post on the secret “hidden away spot!” ;>)
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:53 PM
Carol, there is something about being in a city, especially downtown with lots of office towers. The heat they generate causes the area to be warmer than the rest of the city. And Toronto is on a lake, also moderating the climate.
Joy said,
March 8, 2010 @ 7:44 AM
Hey .. did Jodi mention MY name ?? haha
Those are simply beautiful Deborah ! .. a secret garden for you to admire while stuck in the city .. now that is a wonderful treat : )
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:54 PM
Your name is always coming up Joy, and in a good way, lol.
It is lovely to have a bit of green, when you are stuck downtown.
Amy/GoAway, I'm Gardening! said,
March 8, 2010 @ 8:13 AM
I’m glad you finally actually saw some snowdrops. They are very sweet. When are your snow days over? It has to be just around the corner in downtown Toronto. :))
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:55 PM
I am hoping now, Amy, but you just never know. Kilbourne Grove is a zone colder than Toronto, so it lasts longer there.
Barry said,
March 8, 2010 @ 8:13 AM
Hi Deborah,
Interesting to note how many correspondents assume that Toronto is slumbering under an iceberg. Many seem amazed that we can grow snowdrops at all (often these are from zone 4). Perhaps we should put zone 6b in our profile.
This spring we should see if we can find variations in the markings and form of our Snowdrops and start a home grown Galanthophile movement.
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:57 PM
What a great idea Barry, it would be interesting to see how many varities we have. I am hoping some other Toronto bloggers would join in, maybe even comment on where they have seen snowdrops in flower. We could keep a running post of addresses.
Heather said,
March 8, 2010 @ 8:23 AM
Hi Deborah
What a great way to enjoy this amazing weekend. It’s as if spring has arrived overnight here in the GTA. My tulips are up about 1″ and the crocuses are literally jumping out of the ground.
Thanks for sharing the snowdrops…..they are beautiful. I must take a drive by my favorite house here in Oshawa which is usually covered in blue scilla inn March.
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:59 PM
Heather, wasn’t it fabulous, I am so hoping that it doesn’t go back down below zero, I need spring to arrive. I am hoping when I get up to Kilbourne Grove, most of the snow will have melted. Post a picture of the scilla house when you see it, there was one in Kingston that was absolutely gorgeous!
Deborah Elliott said,
March 8, 2010 @ 8:32 AM
I see now why they are called snowdrops! They are such sweet flowers and brave the cold so boldly! I hope you find a source for the snowdrop field of your dreams.
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:00 PM
Deborah, you need some for your woods, they would be so lovely growing up either side of your moss path.
Kathleen said,
March 8, 2010 @ 10:41 AM
Yay for the snowdrops! I am new to growing them but won’t ever be without them from now on ~ that’s for sure. Anything that blooms this early has my heart. I’ve never seen them potted up (and for sale) ~ I wish we could buy them that way ~ I’d do it in a heartbeat too!
Can’t wait to see your secret retreat. It sounds very intriguing.
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:02 PM
Kathleen, we need to start up a North American Galanthus Society. I am amazed at the number of gardeners who do not know about them. It would be lovely to encourage people to grow them in their gardens, and to be able to buy them in flower, Heaven!
Rebecca @ In The Garden said,
March 8, 2010 @ 10:47 AM
Beautiful!! They are so very lovely coming up through the snow. What a wonderful find & a special place. 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:02 PM
I was so happy to see them Rebecca. Hopefully I will see something at the house soon.
kimberly said,
March 8, 2010 @ 11:59 AM
They’re beautiful! So glad they finally showed themselves!
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:03 PM
When you have lived with snow for 4 to 5 months, they are precious little jewels.
Noelle (azplantlady) said,
March 8, 2010 @ 5:13 PM
What a wonderful surprise. Hopefully, you will soon see them in your garden :^)
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:04 PM
I am hoping so Noelle, although my husband is hoping for another couple of weeks snowboarding. Only one of us will be happy, (and I am hoping it is me, lol).
ricki - sprig to twig said,
March 8, 2010 @ 8:58 PM
Such courageous little dears…what choice have we but to love them!
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:05 PM
ricki, it is amazing to see them push up through the ice, nothing seems to stop them.
The Garden Ms. S said,
March 8, 2010 @ 10:06 PM
Deborah, I haven’t actually seen these in real life yet. (I know! I am in for a treat when I do.) They look so sweet coming up through the snow. No wonder you are smitten 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:07 PM
Are they not hardy for you Ms. S? If they are, you should pop some in your new garden beds.
miss m said,
March 8, 2010 @ 10:50 PM
A true harbinger of Spring ! Lovely !
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:08 PM
Yes, they are, and thank you for the post about them on your blog. I really enjoyed it, (and was quite envious of his garden).
commonweeder said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:26 PM
How is it that you in Canada have bare ground and snow drops while I, in Massachusetts, have more than a foot of snow covering everything. Just goes to show that hardiness zones only reveal so much about garden conditions.
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:09 PM
It is amazing how much heat the downtown of a city gives off, and the weather is also tempered by the lake. My garden up north is a whole zone colder, I am sure there is still quite a bit of snow there.
Rosie leaves 'n blooms said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:03 PM
Deborah go back in a weeks time and turn them up so that you can see what they are like underneath – some of them have such exquisite markings and designs.
kilbournegrove said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:14 PM
Great idea Rosie, they should be a lot more advanced then.
Grace said,
March 10, 2010 @ 1:36 AM
Yay Deborah. I’m so glad you’re seeing signs of spring. Even if they’re showing up in places other than your home turf, they’re still letting you know that spring is coming. Aren’t we all ready for it!
kilbournegrove said,
March 10, 2010 @ 11:26 AM
So ready Grace, although we have had very little snow it Toronto this year, I am anxious to get my hands in the dirt.
Melissa said,
March 10, 2010 @ 11:42 AM
I saw them for the first time this week in my own garden, just a couple of little clumps in the back yard and three lonely “drops” in the front. Our snow is still covering large parts of my yard.
kilbournegrove said,
March 10, 2010 @ 3:07 PM
Melissa, you need more than 3 lonely drops, I am sure they will multiply like bunnies, hope the snow goes this weekend.
tina said,
March 10, 2010 @ 2:34 PM
They are so pretty! I just planted some here last fall and finally one-yup just one-bloomed! I hope they spread like these. Such a pretty sight in the snow.
kilbournegrove said,
March 10, 2010 @ 3:08 PM
Aren’t they gorgeous Tina, do you not have more buds coming?
tina said,
March 10, 2010 @ 4:31 PM
Yes, a few more coming but I think I only ordered like 20 or less. So I must wait until they multiply; which I hope they do and do happily.
kilbournegrove said,
March 10, 2010 @ 7:47 PM
They cannot multiply fast enough for me, I plan on planting at least 100 this fall!
Gail said,
March 10, 2010 @ 7:49 PM
They are the cutest little flowers~Goodness, I do hope the snow melts at your place sooner rather then later~gail
kilbournegrove said,
March 10, 2010 @ 9:02 PM
They are cute aren’t they Gail, although I was blown away by the crocus picture on your blog, amazing!!!
gippslandgardener said,
March 11, 2010 @ 1:45 AM
Well how perfect is that – snowdrops with snow for a backdrop. We don’t see that around here!
kilbournegrove said,
March 12, 2010 @ 7:11 AM
That is the joy of blogging/internet isn’t it, it opens up all kinds of worlds.