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I’m going to the Galanthus Gala to see my virtual gardening friends in real life!

Galanthus is the botanical name for snowdrops. And a gala is . . . well, a quick AI-provided definition is “a special celebration or entertainment that’s often hosted by a charity, nonprofit, or business.” In this case, it’s a gathering of gardeners who happen to like growing snowdrops, talking about snowdrops, shopping for snowdrops (and other plants), and hearing speakers discuss various aspects of snowdrop cultivation.

Even if you didn’t like snowdrops, the other plants for sale would make the trip worth it.

But I do like snowdrops. At the past two galas I attended, I dug up some of my own snowdrops, packaged them up, and handed them out for free–because I think everyone should have at least a few snowdrops to greet them at the end of winter.

But I don’t think I will be doing that this year. The weather is not cooperating. By this date last year I had snowdrops and winter aconites blooming. This year they are still under a foot of snow, and the prospects of 1) all that snow melting and 2) the weather warming sufficiently to get them above ground so I know where to dig and then 3) also having time to package them up are not good. I’m disappointed, but, really, this February’s weather is more typical, so I’m not surprised.

I still get to meet my gardening friends!

Last year I missed some of the friends I knew were attending. It’s easy to do; the venue is packed at times. This year I’ve come up with a way for them to find me: a snowdrop hat! I found some cloth ribbon on Etsy with snowdrops woven into it, and I changed the band on a straw hat I already owned.

So if you see this hat bobbing around in the crowd, make your way over to it and say hi. “Hi” is all you will have time for, what with all the shopping and the presentations and then the trip home.

Yes, shopping! I already have an order in with Issima and may place an order with another vendor or two. Then I will just have to pick them up instead of hoping they haven’t sold out of a favorite plant. Some vendors can’t handle preorders and for them you just have to take your chances or pay extra for the privilege of early access.

The 2025 Galanthus Gala starts with a virtual program on February 28th. On March 1st the meeting and greeting and shopping commences and features two presentations. All the details are here, but I heard there were less than 10 tickets left for the presentations. However, anyone can show up and shop, once the early-entry period is over. Will I see you there?

If you want to attend next year, keep your eye on this Facebook account.

If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It’s a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it’s time to reflect on what’s come before.