THE first break in the severely cold weather has resulted in what we believe to be the first snowdrop of the year in the Isle of Man - found in a garden in Onchan.
It was spotted on the lawn in a garden in Hague Walk, off Summerhill Road, on Thursday morning.
Snowdrops in the Isle of Man normally flower during late January and February and most varieties flower before the equinox (March 21st). This applies to the northern hemisphere, but some rarer species flower in the early spring and late autumn.
The Isle of Man has numerous varieties of wild snowdrops - considered a symbol of purity - which can be found all over the Island, typically in glens and sheltered areas.
It is illegal in the Isle of Man to collect wild snowdrops and / or their bulbs. In Scotland the theft of wild snowdrop bulbs is an increasing problem with gangs raiding woodlands and selling rarer varieties for as much as £70 each to collectors.
It is also illegal in the Island to collect the bulbs of daffodils, wild iris, wild orchids and bluebells and to dig up other wild plants such as heather, honeysuckle, primroses, violas, poppies and many others.
• If you have evidence of an earlier snowdrop than ours please contact us at newsroom@isleofman.com with a photograph if possible.
• In the coming weeks and months we will also be looking for the first primrose, the first bluebell, the first cuckoo, the first swallow and any other interesting wildlife and plants. Please send yours to us and we will be pleased to publish the information, preferably with photographs.
Photograph: Bill Dale www.isleofmanphotos.com
