So it was a bit of a shock to visit the snowdrop gardens of Tudor Croft in Guisborough last weekend, open for the first time since they became a listed building in their own right, to find more Trumps – the gardens are also open this weekend.
Galanthus Trumps at Tudor Croft in Guisborough
These, though, were Galanthus Trumps, wearing little pixie hats rather than an extravagant combover, and with heart-shaped green markings on their delicate white faces.
Tudor Croft was one of only five parks and gardens to be granted listed status in 2025. It was designed in 1934 by the famous Backhouse nursery of York – related, of course, to the Quaker bankers of Darlington – for the Crossley family who owned the Commondale brickworks on the North York Moors. Many of the brickworks’ artistic terra cotta creations still grace the grounds.
Since 1952, it has been lovingly looked after by the Heagney family who now have more than 400 varieties of snowdrops, although former Tory grandee Michael Heseltine revealed that he has more than 1,400 varieties on his estate in Oxfordshire and there are known to be more than 2,500 varieties.
The Greek name for snowdrops is Galanthus – “milk flower” – and the Trumps variety was discovered in 1999 by noted galanthophile, John Morley of Suffolk, who was so excited by his new find that he said he had “come up trumps”.
Trumps is robust and easy to grow and so is considered to be one of the must-have varieties of Galanthus.
Mike Heagney with Galanthus Trumps
So the snowdrop Trumps has nothing to do with the other kind of Trump. However, the most popular variety of snowdrop, both with Mr Heseltine and at Tudor Croft, is Galanthus Grumpy, which may be named after the face the US president pulled when he learned he could not just have Greenland.
Galanthus grumpy, because it looks like a miserable old git
READ MORE: JAMES BACKHOUSE, THE GARDENER BEHIND THE GALANTHUS
US President Donald Trump, who shares his name with a snowdrop
Tudor Croft is open this Saturday and Sunday, February 7 and 8 (earlier than previous years because in 2026 the snowdrops are well advanced), 11am to 3pm. Admission is £10, with all proceeds going to local charities. Excellent soup and cakes available.
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