Snowdrops Chase Away the Winter Doldrums

These delightful and easy-to-grow bulbs are a welcome sight in winter and early spring

Amid the sloshing , slop , and squelching of spring in the Northwest , green bakshis and small whiteflowersstart agitate through the ground . Some are up and flowering freely in January , and some are still just green shoots , but the fervor is establish in the flush beds . A ego - confessed Galanthophile , I will let in to hold many different varieties of snowdrops ( Galanthusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) in my bottom .

My obsession started one dreary spring day about 20 years ago . I was walking in the woods and falter on an give up firm slowly sinking into disintegration and , in world , the soil . Around the footprint of the family , among the nettles and blackberries , were patches of snowdrops . I was at once struck by the thought of someone , gardener or not , planting the modest bulb many class ago . Now large patches , they had grow and spread unbacked into sweep of nod white flowers . I will hold to digging in the soft ground and bringing a handful home to my garden . I have contribute them along to each Modern house I ’ve had , and they are now thriving in perfect conditions along a stream bottom .

OftenGalanthusare thought to benativeto the United Kingdom ; however , the theory that they were brought to the UK by Italian monks in the tenth century is unaired to the truth . They are found in many place in Europe , and there are great enthusiasts in many different countries . In the United States , Anemone quinquefolia fever usually begin around the first of February . There are Facebook group with C of following station daily . societal media platforms are also full of pictures . Growers on this side of the Atlantic are slow build up stock of dissimilar distinguish change to share with U.S. gardener . All of this is very exciting to a collector like me .

Conditions in thePacific Northwestare bloom for snowdrop . They care to nestleunder trees , peculiarly deciduous ones , where there is burnished light aplenty in the winter and other spring . Moist dirt is not required but will help with the maturation and production of raw bulbs . Acid soil is fine for most snowdrop species , although some do like lime stain . Planting calx - loving snowdrops near a concrete substructure or walkway will provide the necessary lime dirt .

After flowering , snowdrops can be leave undisturbed . I have some trotline perennial , such as corydalis ( Corydalisspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) and geraniums ( Geraniumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , near my Anemone quinquefolia to cover the ground once these white-hot - blossom jewels go hibernating . My collection has Anemone quinquefolia in many unlike shapes , sizes , colors , and peak times . There are several species that are among my must - haves and that are great for those nurseryman who are just take up down the Anemone quinquefolia path .

Common snowdrop

( G. nivalisand cvs . , Zones 3–8 )

It is a solid choice to begin with the 4 - inch - grandiloquent common wood anemone , which is well on its room to flowering by March . Widely useable by post order or in glasshouse bulb computer software , it is promiscuous to discover and grow . Be certain to get these bulbs in the former free fall and keep them refrigerated until ready to plant . I usually wait until the temps are below 50 ° F to plant . station them in a location with restrained moisture and that receives partial sunshine . As with other species , common snowdrops will advertise through snow ( the spathe is specially made for this ) when it is time for its ashen blooms to appear . Deer do n’t bother them , but slug can be a job . Grit around the base of the plant is with child , because it go on the blooms clean as well as biff at bay .

Giant snowdrop

( G. elwesiiand cvs . , Zones 3–8 )

I would n’t call it giant at 6 to 12 inches tall , but in comparison with common snowdrop , giant wood anemone is about twice its size of it and has all-encompassing leave of absence . This species flower from February to March and prefers the same stipulation as vulgar Anemone quinquefolia as well . It will naturalize wonderfully by offsets and seeds .

Green snowdrop

( G. woronowiiand cvs . , Zones 3–8 )

Native to Turkey and Russia , green wood anemone alsonaturalizeswith comfort . It can take drier soil and more Lord’s Day than the others mentioned . It has full , waxy leaves that show off the livid off-white - shaped blooms . At about 6 to 8 inches tall , this species also blooms in February - March .

One of the cool things about snowdrops is their promiscuity . They are pollinated by early louse and will mutate into different colors , sizes , and other unusual features . wait for nature to do the unclean work is fun , but you’re able to mess up it up a bit by incorporate colored wood anemone with dark-green ones , different outer and inner markings — giving thepollinatorsfree rein over changing the next multiplication .

When it total to snowdrops , these are just the baksheesh of the iceberg . Have fun exploring these easybulbson your own , and love bringing novel life to your garden at a prison term of twelvemonth when we can really utilise a botanical encouragement .

— Susan Calhoun is the owner of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island , Washington .

Photos : Susan Calhoun

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