On a bitterly cold and frosty evening recently, the majority of Fermanagh Gardening Society (FGS) members were able via Zoom online meeting to sit in the comfort of their own home, to enjoy Louise Nicholls’ talk on 'Snowdrops – Heralds of spring’.

A small number of viewers also assembled at Action Mental Health to join the group.

Louise has been involved in horticulture for more than 20 years and has exhibited at Chelsea and Hampton Court.

She admits that avidly collecting snowdrops makes her quite a geek, but the technical name for such people is a ‘galanthophile’.

Only recently, a new record was created for the sale of one bulb, at £1,850 – a snowdrop 'Golden Tears', grown by the famous Joe Sharman.

One we can all afford is Galanthus ('Grumpy'), which has white flowers with green markings that resemble two eyes and a down-turned mouth

There is something magical about snowdrops appearing. They are often the first flowers out to give hope that Spring is on the way.

Indeed, how everyone loves to see a carpet of snowdrops at this time of year to gladden the heart.

There are 21 species of snowdrop, and 2,614 named varieties. Only minute differences distinguish one from another.

Louise took FGS members through many of these species, and holding them to the camera, she was able to explain their various parts and how they differ.

Although most are white and green, there are also yellow ones. They can be highly scented, and give off a honey smell.

FGS members learned that pocliform snowdrops have the three inner petals (or tepals) which are the same length as the outer petals.

And then, with an inverse poculiform snowdrop, the outer segments resemble the inner segments, creating its instantly recognisable pagoda-like shape.

They are not native to UK, but are largely found in Europe and the Middle East.

Apparently soldiers returning from the Crimean War brought some back and populated some of the big estates.

Louise, like any gardener, has had mixed success with bulbs that might have cost her £25, £40 or indeed £70 each. But their resolute character keeps gardeners going back for more.

She spoke of some of the famous places to go and see a wonderful show of snowdrops, such as Howick Hall, in the Scottish borders, the former home of Earl Grey of the noted tea variety.

She also spoke of Anglesey Abbey, where 'Richard Ayers', one of the largest flowering doubles, was found in 1987.

Interestingly, flowers in the Latin that end in double 'i' are named after a man. This variety was was named after the Head Gardener.

Snowdrops are quite slow to spread and need to be separated out every few years, and then randomly planted again.

They have one particular pest – the Narissa's Bulb Fly, which resemble small bumblebees, hence the need to buy good stock from reputable sellers.

There are also pheasants, which will just bite off snowdrop heads.

Zoom meetings are always interesting; aside from the speakers’ presentation, there is a chance to view the background and admire the artwork, style of the kitchen or the books on display.