Snowdrops - the best antidote to winter blues
Imagine your garden full of drifts of pure
white snowdrops forcing their way up through snow and frozen ground.
Snowdrops are the perfect antidote to the greyness of winter.
The tiny bell shaped flowers of snowdrops
with their hint of green never fail to offer a welcome hint of spring that still seems very far away.
The common snowdrop Galanthus nivalis is
mainly found in shady spots like damp woodlands, grassland, and hedgerows.
Many species are very easy to grow and
positively thrive in cold weather, producing their own anti-freeze to prevent
frost damage.
Snowdrops grow best in cool, dappled shade
such as under shrubs, around trees or in grassy areas where they will not be
disturbed during summer.
Snowdrops should be planted 'in the green'
that is whilst in full growth, during late winter early spring. Snowdrops
planted this way will establish very quickly even if in full flower.
Snowdrop bulbs needs to be planted in a humus rich soil
that retains moisture and is well drained but doesn't dry out in summer.
Snowdrop bulbs also appreciate a mulch of leaf mold to help keep them moist.
Clumps of snowdrops should be lifted and
divided regularly as they do not naturally make the beautiful drifts we so much
admire.
This should be done immediately after the
snowdrop bulbs have flowered or in late summer and autumn when the bulbs are dormant.
Established clumps of snowdrops will easily
self-seed although seed sown bulbs may take up to four years to flower.
Dormant dry snowdrop bulbs bought in autumn
must be planted immediately and may do poorly in their first year. But leave them
undisturbed and they will flourish in following years.
Here's something new and different
for lovers of snowdrop bulbs. The double snowdrop Galanthus
nivalis 'Flore Pleno' makes a big splash in very early
spring.
Double Snowdrops
These perky wonders produce masses of ruffled white and
emerald green blooms atop sturdy stems. They are so hardy they burst into bloom
at the first hint of spring, often before the winter snows melt. Bring them
indoors to chase away those winter blues!
Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' 5+
cm. bulbs.
Height: 4 - 5"
You can buy this delightful double snowdrop now from Brecks Bulbs. Click below now to find out more. (A new window will open
so you can return to this page)
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