Reader's question: Stacey from Middlesbrough visited her aunt in Cheltenham last January and was impressed by her display of snowdrops. She would love to have a selection growing in her own garden, but doesn’t know where to start and would like to know more about the plant.
SNOWDROPS, or Galanthus to give them their correct name, are the classic winter flowering bulbs which are loved by just about everybody. When the snowdrop is in flower, spring is only a blink away, and so gives hope of warmer times to come.
They are fully hardy and even have especially hardened tips to push through snow (which they really will have to be putting into practice this year). However, for such a popular plant they can be remarkably temperamental to grow. They thrive in some soils but fail in others, sometimes with no scientific explanation. If you have not tried to grow them before, it is best to start with one of the easiest – Galanthus nivalis. Once you have established these successfully, then you can try one of the more unusual varieties, but be warned; you could become hooked and it is an expensive, if very rewarding, hobby. You will find many fellow “Galanthophiles” out there in the horticultural world.
Technically, snowdrops like a moist soil with plenty of humus. They do not like hot, dry positions, preferring part shade. They are good among shrubs.
Avoid planting single bulbs because they are much happier in company.
Small groups are best but lift established clumps after flowering, splitting the clump in two and replanting half back. Divide the remainder again and make two new clumps. Do this every other year. This maintains flowering, as congested clumps will eventually fail to flower.
Make sure that neighbouring plants are not smothering the snowdrops, either with their roots or their leaves.
Move them to a new site if necessary.
Snowdrops can be planted either in the autumn as dormant bulbs – make sure that they are freshly lifted and not hanging around in a hot garden centre as they have a very short shelf life – or as bulbs in growth, which are moved in the spring just after flowering.
Try to avoid planting them in pots as they are very difficult to grow successfully like this. If you really have to leave them in pots for a short time then use a large pot with a light, humus-rich compost with some loam and plunge the pots in a shady place.
Plant them out as soon as possible.
You will find that once the snowdrops are happy, they will stay happy for many years and reward you with boundless displays of nodding white signs of the spring to come.
■ Brigid presents the BBC Tees Gardening show on Sundays, from 1.00-2.00pm.
Questions can be answered on the day by emailing brigidpress@bbc.co.uk during the week, texting 07786-200995 or phoning 01642-225511 during the show. Letters can be addressed to Lazy Dayz,10 Farm Road, Houghall, Durham,DH1 3SF.
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