Snowdrops 

Did you know that just half an hour a day of moderate exercise, like gentle digging or transplanting, can keep you fit and lead to a longer life? Are you wondering which type of plant to grow? Why not invest in some snowdrops for future happiness?

The pleasure to be gained from growing snowdrops increases year by year. Little does one realise, when a few bulbs are dug into the ground, what joy they will bring. Everyone that passes a patch of the flowers will comment on how beautiful they are. It’s just part of the effect they have on people.

Snowdrop bulbs should be moved to new sites while they still have their leaves and flowers attached. Spring is the time to transplant the bulbs, although it is possible to enjoy most of the flower display before disturbing them. Just before the foliage turns yellow is considered to be a good time to choose, and specialist nurseries are ready to supply snowdrops ‘in the green’ as this practice is known in the trade.

Some years ago, a former president of the Cyclamen Society kindly handed me a bunch of snowdrop bulbs. He was an enthusiastic gardener and collector of alpine plants, living until great old age. A sample of all the many species and varieties of snowdrops had been included in the bunch. From these small beginnings, my snowdrops have self-sown, and they now form a display that brings delight every year. Very few people remark on the yellow or green distinguishing markings of the flowers - some in the shape of green hearts. Many more notice the difference between the giant flowering and the small flowering species. Rather special ones are the size of small daffodils with wide, grey-green foliage; other varieties display flowers with double petals; and yet others have small narrow, dark green leaves.

Plant nurseries

Numerous plant nurseries include snowdrops on their lists. Two that have built up a reputation for specialising in snowdrops (Galanthus), showing them regularly in the RHS Halls at Westminster, London, are Broadleigh Gardens  and Foxgrove Plants. Both produce catalogues that contain a wide selection of snowdrop species and cultivars. Many other nurseries sell individual rare species and forms.

Snowdrop species and varieties

Many people say that all snowdrops look similar – like sheep – but if you grow them, and observe them closely, you will soon be able to pick out the various characteristics that distinguish one species or variety from another. There are 18 species of Galanthus. Here are some of the most attractive species with a few of the choice cultivars – many of which have been found comparatively recently in the gardens of snowdrop enthusiasts and collectors.

Galanthus caucasicus – broad grey leaves, large flowers with horseshoe shape green markings on inner petals. 6 ins in height. Last to flower in February into March with very large, bold blooms

G. caucasicus x elwesii – petals bear green markings. Flowers in January

G. elwesii – distinguished by two green spots on the inner segment, although sometimes the green markings cover the whole of the inner petals; grey leaves, one folded inside the other at the base. Stems 10 ins in height on this species that originates from Turkey

G. ikariae – has large flowers, long petals and wide, bright green leaves

G. nivalis – the common snowdrop, but lots of varieties of this species are available from specialists. The common type bears 4.5 ins flowers from January into March

G. nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’ – a form with flowers that have stamens adapted to petals, these plus the normal six petals create a double set of petals.

G. n. ‘Magnet’ – a large-flowering hybrid cultivar distinguished by long pedicel of the flower. Height 5ins flowers February

G. n. ‘Sandersii’– characterised by a yellow ovary and patches at the apex of inner petals. Height 4 ins

G. n.‘Margery Fish’ bears green markings on the outer petals – an unusual phenomenon

G. n ‘Atkinsii’ – tall, graceful flowers with short pedicels, 8 ins stems, flowering February to March

G. n.‘Sam Arnott’ – produces bell-shaped flowers that are scented; short petals. Bears 8ins flowers in February to March

G. n. ‘Scharlockii’ has the distinguishing feature of two spathes above the flower and green on the outer petals; late flowering

G. n.‘Pagoda’ - a cultivar which sports outer petals that roll back will undoubtedly be sought after by collectors. But for me the smooth curved line of snowdrop petals is one of the main attractions. Similarly, G. n.‘Ermine Spikey’ is interesting due to the untypical appearance of the double flowers. Flowering is in February/March

G. plicatus – leaves folded in the leaf-sheaths; pleat at leaf margins; height 6-8ins, flowering in February and March – a native of Russia. (Seed of this species is available from Chiltern Seeds)

G. n. ‘Virescens’ - green markings on the tops of the outer petals as well as the inner petals. 9 ins. flowers February/March

A special snowdrops is G. n. reginae-olgae, the autumn-flowering one, in which strongly scented flowers appear before the grey-striped leaves. It is always best to order these treasures early, before stocks run out.

For dry patches

Snowdrops look natural growing in grass; they will also thrive in light shade under deciduous trees or shrubs, where they often benefit from the slightly drier soil. Grass is less likely to grow too thick and lush under trees.

For wet areas

The summer snowflake, Leucojum aestivum, might suit areas of gardens that tend to become boggy or waterlogged – especially after winters like the one Britain has just experienced. The seedfruits become swollen with air to aid dispersal by water.