Arboretum’s Inspirational Gardens at the award-winning Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven has a specialist snowdrop programme for 2025. Arboretum’s founder, Rachel Doyle, created the gardens in 2010 to inspire her customers. Rachel likes to say that the snowdrops wake up the Inspirational Gardens, as they are the first to flower every year; and there is something different every month after that.
The delicate white and green blooms of the snowdrop peeping through the cold winter ground heralds the start of the gardening year. Their arrival is celebrated throughout some of County Carlow’s fantastic gardens by a dedicated series of events during February.
Snowdrop fun for all the family is on offer each weekend during Snowdrop Month at Huntington Castle, listed as one of the top six gardens to visit in Ireland’s Ancient East. These historic 17th century grounds feature a collection of snowdrops and crocuses to be enjoyed in a unique setting.
The annual Snowdrop Gala – Celebrating Snowdrops and Other Spring Treasures - at Ballykealey House, Ballon on Saturday January 25th 2025 celebrates its 14th anniversary this year and has become a firm favourite with lovers and enthusiasts of this special flower.
Experience the delightful gardens at Burtown House this February, open every Wednesday to Sunday, where you’ll find a wealth of snowdrops, aconites, hellebores and other early spring bulbs. The gardens are a beautiful way to witness nature’s first blooms in their full glory. After a stroll through the gardens, enjoy a hearty brunch or lunch at the Green Barn Restaurant, serving dishes made with produce from the house's organic kitchen garden. Booking is recommended for the restaurant to ensure a spot!
Carlow’s award-winning Delta Sensory Gardens is proud to unveil its Sensory Snowdrop Experience. Inviting guests to explore rare and beautiful varieties in a setting designed to engage all five senses. The gardens boast an exceptional snowdrop collection including ‘Drummonds Giant’, ‘Trymposter’, ‘Bill Bishop’, ‘The Pearl’, ‘Spindlestone Surprise’, ‘Lerinda’, ‘Merlin’, ‘Natalie Garton’, ‘S. Arnott’, ‘Green Man’, ‘Hippolyta Double’, ‘Babraham Scented’, ‘Magnet’, ‘Brenda Troyle’, ‘Modern Art’ and many more – making it a must-visit destination for galanthophiles and garden lovers.
Arboretum’s Inspirational Gardens serve as a stunning backdrop for the early bloomers that signal the start of the gardening year. The Snowdrop collection at Arboretum features a few thousand snowdrop bulbs, including the fragrant Galanthus ‘Flore Pleno’, known for its dainty, double-white flowers, and the pure white Galanthus ‘Mount Everest’, a robust variety perfect for naturalising in gardens.
These historic 17th century grounds feature a large collection of snowdrops and early spring bulbs to be enjoyed, along with the French limes on the avenue, the lawns to the side of the house, the walk through the wilderness and the Yew Tree area. After the gardens head back to the castle where a guided tour of the house is available – or simply take a well-earned break in the cosy tea room, serving delicious locally baked treats and hot drinks. To get the full Huntington experience, consider a stay in one of their beautiful castle rooms or self-catering cottages.
This is a fantastic opportunity to explore Altamont Garden’s unique snowdrop collection, which was first started by the late Corona North, the former owner of the gardens. Over the past twenty years, the collection has been expanded and nurtured by the OPW (Office of Public Works), and now features almost 150 named varieties. Set within a 40-acre estate on the banks of the River Slaney near Tullow, Altamont Gardens offers a captivating mix of formal, informal and wild gardens, providing the perfect backdrop for these early spring flowers.
