Galanthus: a carpet of flowers for the early spring garden

Right now we’re in Margot Navarre’s backyard in Washington state, the place the snowdrops are making their annual late winter/early spring show. These traditional bulbs bloom sooner than the rest. Plus, they’re straightforward to develop and resistant to break from deer, squirrels, and most different pests.

The commonest of the 20 species of snowdrops is galanthus nivalis (Zones 3–7). I’ve many G. nivalis together with G. elwesii (Zones 4–7) in my backyard.

I’ve purchased a couple of particular sorts of snowdrops through the years. Pictured is ‘Rosemarie Burnham’, a wonderful type with petals tinged inexperienced.

The placement of snowdrops is necessary in order that they are often seen regardless of their small measurement. I wish to plant the bulbs within the woods alongside the paths.

Right here they’re rising on path edges alongside epimedium clumps. The epimedium will guarantee this spot is inexperienced and full lengthy after the snowdrops are gone.

I’m impressed by the snowdrifts in English gardens, however I’ve a protracted technique to go to ascertain the snowstorm. When the clumps get huge, I dig and divide when the snowdrops have completed blooming however whereas they nonetheless have their inexperienced leaves. That is the very best time to separate snowdrops and is named digging them “within the inexperienced”. I add flags to mark the locations I wish to dig and plant them.

Snowdrops go properly with winter wolfsbane (Eranthis hyemalis, Zones 4–9) and Cyclamen hederifolium (Zones 4–9), as proven on this determine. In addition they look good in mixtures with Cyclamen Coum (Zones 6–8), hellebores (Hellebore hybrids, Zones 4–9), primroses (Primula species and hybrids) and ferns. I additionally wish to develop them beneath deciduous timber equivalent to Japanese Maple. (Acer palmatum, Zones 5–9) and our native vine maple (Acer circinatum, Zones 5–9).

This snowflake is named ‘Primrose Warburg’ and is noteworthy as a result of the bottom of the flower is yellow as a substitute of the standard inexperienced. I purchased this uncommon in 2015 from Mr. Lynn at Temple Nursery, New York. I place the particular ones near dwelling so I can watch them develop.

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