Snowdrops - delicate harbingers of spring
You know that spring has finally arrived when you see snowdrops blooming: they're among the first flowers to emerge each season.
The delicate white flowers often appear before the last snow melts, but they easily weather the chilly days of early spring.
The flowers are small, but unique and are made up of three longer white petals covering three inner petals tinged with green.
Snowdrops - common species and cultivars
Photo: ©Y.Cunnington
Giant snowdrop (G. elwesii) has 1-1/2-inch flowers on 12-inch long stems above blue-green leaves.
Common snowdrop (G. nivalis) has 1-inch blooms on 4 to 6-inch stems.
G. nivalis 'Flore Pleno' has double flowers and the outer and inner petals of G. nivalis 'Viridiapice' are tipped with green.
PLANTING & CARE:
Where to plant: Snowdrops grow best in soil that is moist, but well drained. Give them a spot in full sun to light shade. They are excellent naturalized under flowering shrubs and are lovely in woodland beds and rock gardens.
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It makes sense to plant them close to the house where you can enjoy them when the weather is still too cold to venture into the garden.
Planting depth and spacing: Set bulbs 5 inches deep from the base of the bulb and 2 to 3 inches apart in early fall. Don't let bulbs dry out; plant as soon as possible after buying.
Dividing snowdrops: These little bulbs will self-sow, but I have found that they don't multiply as quickly as crocus or scilla.
The best way to get more of them is by digging clumps up, being careful not to damage the roots, and dividing them into smaller clumps of at least six bulbs or more. Replant promptly, being careful not damage the leaves.
Related information:
Grow these unusual spring bulbs:
most are great for naturalizing
Back to main Flower Bulbs page
