Snowdrops how to grow, planting, names of varieties. The Snowdrop.

The name Galanthus means milk flower.

In the 1850's soldiers returning from the Crimean War brought back snowdrops with them to plant in their gardens at home .

Growing Snowdrops:

Snowdrops are fully hardy.

Snowdrops prefer some soil types to others. They like a moist soil with plenty of humus. They do not like hot, dry places and prefer part shade which means that snowdrops can be good to plant amongst shrubs.

The easiest to grow are the ‘common’ single/ double snowdrop or G Atkinsii, a tall variety.

Snowdrops come in lots of different varieties.

Planting Snowdrops. They are usually easier to establish if planted in the green (i.e. not as bulbs with no leaves as you plant daffodils etc).

Plant snowdrops in small groups.

Every other year or so lift the clump of snowdrops if it is congested and spilt it into sections or more if it is a large clump. Either replant them in small clumps separately or follow the planting information below.

Then next year you will have more snowdrops in flower than this year.

The way to plant snowdrops from existing clumps is to dig up a  clump of snowdrops after the flowers have faded. You can plant your snowdrops from clumps in your garden even after the leaves have died back.

• shake of the soil from the clump of snowdrops
• gently separate the bulbs
• now replant the bulbs leaving a gap of a few inches or so , you  need to plant them about 4-6 inches deep ( 10-15cm).

The freshly planted snowdrops will benefit from compost or leaf mould.

Planting snowdrops when purchased in 'the green' follow the above planting information for your snowdrops.  Buying or planting snowdrops 'in the green' is better than buying dry bulbs as you have more chance of having success growing them. 

Snowdrops bloom very early in the year so if you wish for a splash of colour near them you options of what to plant close by are limited but it is worth considering winter aconites whose bright yellow blooms tend to put in an early appearance in the garden.

There are one hundred and fifty cultivars of snowdrop listed in the RHS Plant Finder (RHS is the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK).

The list of snowdrop cultivars continues to grow as new ones are identified.

Snowdrops range from the humble plain white ones with their dropping heads (still my favourites) to the more fancy elaborate varieties with double blooms and flashes of green adorning the white petals. Your choice will probably be made by what is available when you want to buy them and will also depend on where you wish to plant them and what other plants are in the area around them.

Here is a list of the names of some snowdrops it includes some of the more 'fancy varieties' of snowdrop.

• Galanthus. 'John Gray' this is a very pretty one as the small amount of green on the bloom looks like an upside down heart-shape. Its flowers are predominantly white with just a 'smidgen'. of green. This one is a traditional snowdrop shape unlike some of the other snowdrops.
• Also a traditional snowdrop flower shape is this Galanthus nivalis 'Sandersil'. Which has almost all white flowers with just a touch of yellowy/green and is dainty looking as traditional snowdrops are.
• Galanthus 'Wendy's Gold is also a snowdrop with yellowy toned markings.
• Galanthus nivalis ' Viridapice' another dainty looking bloom with the same 'green-heart' effect as G.' John Gray' it also has a small splash of green on the bottom of the petals.
• Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno'  is a good one to naturalise. Delicate green markings on double flowers.
• Galanthus nivalis 'S. Arnott' a sweetly scented snowdrop that grows vigorously.
• Galanthus Desdemona. This produces the largest of any double snowdrop blooms. A vigorous snowdrop.
• Galanthus Atkinsii has elongated flowers. Vigorous in habit.

More snowdrops -

• 'Bill Bishop' which has very long outer petals.
• 'Cordelia' a taller snowdrop once established this one is a double.
• 'Dionysus' a double.
• 'Brenda Troyle' this one has a scent.
• G.plicatus 'trym' has green markings on the white petals.

Looking for a big snowdrop try Galanthus Elwesii.

Some of these varieties may be difficult to find you could always look on the RHS web-site to discover if and when they are selling from there gardens.

Beth Chatto gardens might be worth trying.

As the first snowdrops of the year appear in my garden they remind me to look forwards to the coming of spring time.

..................................................

The winter stole the colours

that the Autumn swept away.

We needed something humble,

to make us grateful now.

So all alone on centre stage,

sweet snowdrop, take a bow.

....................................................

In the summer of my garden their

were many brightly coloured flowers.

They contrasted and harmonised

and filled many happy hours.

Then the winter came frost

and snow blasted away the palette.

Grey became the colour of the day,

and dull became the habit.

But what flower would brave early March winds,

only one would do.

Planted while still in the green

and never in straight rows.

She is the queen of February,

when my little snowdrop grows.

* The photographs and words on this and my other creative hubs belong to me and  therefore the copyright is mine. This means they may not be used in anyway without my permission.