A look at some of the favourite varieties of this sensational early year bloomer
What a joy to see the delicate, nodding heads of snowdrops making an appearance in the garden signalling the long awaited start of the growing year.
Although some flowers are fleeting, extending the display from late autumn throughout winter is possible by planting a range of well chosen species and cultivars. Galanthus elwesii Hiemalis Group is the first to bravely emerge at the end of autumn, although the flowers can unfortunately get overlooked among the seasons fallen leaves and spent plant material.
Enjoy snowdrops up close by growing individually in pots to inspect their distinct markings, or plant en masse to create carpets of white beneath deciduous trees, or alongside fellow harbingers of spring such as eranthis, pulmonaria and narcissus, all unfazed by winter’s worst.
Grow in sun or part shade and in a rich, fertile soil and bulbs will steadily bulk up and increase with each year that passes, usually requiring division every three to four years.
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Wildlife credentials with our Dr Chris Gibson
Introduced into our gardens more than 400 years ago, and now fully established in the wild throughout Great Britain, snowdrops have all the appearance of native species. Four species are now naturalised, with G. nivalis the most widespread. With the exception of the blowsy doubled cultivars, all are attractive to, and a vital winter/spring resource for, queen bumblebees and honeybees newly emerged from hibernation.
Some of our favourites include:
Galanthus elwesii ‘Mrs MacNamara’
Puts on a fine show early in the new year. A tall upright plant with well developed narrow glaucous foliage. Slender flowers are held well clear of the foliage with small rather slim ‘V’ marking on the inner segment. The plant originated from Dylan Thomas’s mother-in-law, Mrs McNamara. Height 25cm
Galanthus ‘Fly Fishing’
An elegant, superior snowdrop, with good-sized flowers hanging off an extended flowering stem, gently swaying with the softest breeze. A seedling found close to ‘Comet’ by the late Alan Street of Avon Bulbs. Height 25cm
Galanthus nivalis ‘Viridapice’
Long white pendant flowers with painted green tips to each of the outer segments. A fine strong growing snowdrop. An older form, which has given rise to many green-tipped clones. Height 15cm
Galanthus plicatus ‘Blue Trym’
A Margaret Owen selection, beautifully dainty inner and outer segments with similar green marks and the tip of outers recurved. Height 20cm
Galanthus elwesii ‘Tuesday’s Child’
A fine, tall and slender later-flowering elwesii selection with subtle inner markings coupled with faint green flecks on the tips of the outer segments. Has a very distinct scent, especially when picked and displayed indoors. Height 25cm.
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