Snowdrop
Gail HarlandExplores the botanical and cultural history of the popular snowdrop.
With their delicate green and white blooms, snowdrops may seem fragile, yet they possess remarkable resilience. Treasured by gardeners for their ability to bloom early in the year, they also hold significance beyond the horticultural world. From Victorian Britain, where snowdrop bands promoted chastity, to their adoption as symbols by charitable organizations today, their cultural impact is far-reaching, symbolizing purity, hope and solace. Snowdrops have long been depicted in art, poetry and prose, and they offer medicinal properties as a source of galantamine, used in Alzheimer’s treatment. Now available in paperback, Snowdrop is the ideal companion for anyone interested in the emotional and cultural aspects of these much-loved plants.
Explores the botanical and cultural history of the popular snowdrop.
With their delicate green and white blooms, snowdrops may seem fragile, yet they possess remarkable resilience. Treasured by gardeners for their ability to bloom early in the year, they also hold significance beyond the horticultural world. From Victorian Britain, where snowdrop bands promoted chastity, to their adoption as symbols by charitable organizations today, their cultural impact is far-reaching, symbolizing purity, hope and solace. Snowdrops have long been depicted in art, poetry and prose, and they offer medicinal properties as a source of galantamine, used in Alzheimer’s treatment. Now available in paperback, Snowdrop is the ideal companion for anyone interested in the emotional and cultural aspects of these much-loved plants.
Explores the botanical and cultural history of the popular snowdrop.
With their delicate green and white blooms, snowdrops may seem fragile, yet they possess remarkable resilience. Treasured by gardeners for their ability to bloom early in the year, they also hold significance beyond the horticultural world. From Victorian Britain, where snowdrop bands promoted chastity, to their adoption as symbols by charitable organizations today, their cultural impact is far-reaching, symbolizing purity, hope and solace. Snowdrops have long been depicted in art, poetry and prose, and they offer medicinal properties as a source of galantamine, used in Alzheimer’s treatment. Now available in paperback, Snowdrop is the ideal companion for anyone interested in the emotional and cultural aspects of these much-loved plants.
-
'
This thoughtfully written book examines the plants botanical and cultural significance: why it has long been revered as the iconic flower of midwinter and how it is deeply entwined with art, literature and music . . . This is an absorbing book for winter fireside reading.
'House and Garden
-
'
Gail Harlands book will delight galanthophiles but it will also entertain and inform general readers about the genus . . . The book is the result of diligent and extensive research that the author obviously enjoyed, the fascination she has for the subject and the pleasure she takes in sharing it is evident on every page . . . Snowdrop is the latest volume in Reaktion Books excellent Botanical series, which looks at the social and cultural impact of plants as well as their botanical and horticultural importance, and it joins the rest of the collection as an essential addition to the libraries of both gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
'Gardens Illustrated
-
'
Snowdrops can be an addictive interest and while this book will certainly appeal to the nutters it will also appeal to those of more modest interest as the author threads her way through the wide and various ways in which snowdrops have been loved, used, appreciated and featured over the centuries. It is a wonderfully interesting journey, full of insight, unimagined connections, and delightful treasures.
'Irish Garden Plant Society Newsletter
Introduction
One Among Trees and Rocks
Two Purity and Piety
Three Art and Images
Four Words and Music
Five Collectors and Conservation
Timeline References Further Reading
Associations and Websites
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
Gail Harland combines work as a dietitian with horticultural writing. Her previous publications include The Tomato Book (2009), Designing and Creating a Cottage Garden (2011) and The Weeder’s Digest (2012).
