I was in two minds about whether to call this post "A study of Galanthus nivalis." or "A study of snowdrops..." The photos are all of the common or garden version of the snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) I think.
The snowdrop has a charm all it's own and for me they are best viewed en masse in drifts under trees. It's the time of year when they take centre stage and rightly so. This photo was taken at NTS House of Dun in Angus yesterday. The gardens are open between February 1st and March 15th as part of the Snowdrop Festival.
In our garden everything is on a much smaller scale. Clumps of snowdrops have been planted under the trees and along the edge of the deck path.
Whilst I can see the attraction of snowdrops, I'm not a galanthophile. We have never grown more than two varieties (that I know of). And unless you can compare one with another at close quarters the differences in height or markings might not be readily apparent. You can probably recognise a true collector of snowdrops or Galanthophile by the way they examine the snowdrop flowers and are acquainted with many of the over 500 varieties in the genus.
I think the mania for snowdrops collecting, selecting and hybridising had not abatted in recent years, although other "must have Plants" go out of fashion. Hellebores and hostas come to mind as not being as popular as they once were.
Having said that I did have more than a peek at the different varieties of Galanthus at Carolyn's Shade Garden blog. They looked exquisite and I could feel the temptation coming on ... snowdrop catalogues can be very enticing.
As can the Gardens Illustrated magazine this month which has an article about rare Irish snowdrops with some stunning photography. There is also an interview with the Botanist and expert on snowdrops John Grimshaw.
One of the things that gets him in a lather is planting snowdrops "in the green". Now I for one had always understood that this was the way to do it. I planted a few hundred "in the green" in our Orkney Garden. I hope they are spreading as we speak.
But according to John Grimshaw, it's nonsense to plant them in the green. He is sure it sets them back a year. And besides (here he has a point) what other plants to we dig up in flower and move around? His advice is to dig up the snowdrops when they are dormant in the summer. Something to bear in mind next time I plant snowdrops...
At the moment I will just enjoy pure, simple beauty of the Galanthus nivali. These images were taken in our garden as the snowdrops gently opened in the winter sunshine.
Snowdrops also make lovely presents especially if planted in small terrocotta pots with some moss on the top. I always do a few for friends who might like them.
Stunning pictures Janet - mine are tiny only just in bud but even when they are fully out you can hardly see them - so I agree with you they are much better en masse. Planting them at eye level might improve the view.
ReplyDeletePlanting them at eye level might also save my knees, Elaine, although i do have some in bigger pots that can be put up higher.
DeleteI don't like the name 'Galanthus' - it sounds as if it ought to be the word for garlic. I could never be a snowdrop expert - one has to be so fiddly in telling one from another. None the less, I'm hoping someone will name a one after me one day. There's something specially moving about those green dots.
ReplyDeleteI live in hope of getting an anemone named after me...ah well....
DeleteThanks so much for the link to my blog and my website where gardeners can find the catalogue. I will try not to get going on John Grimshaw and his anti-"in the green" fanaticism. I wouldn't presume (as he does) to give gardeners in a totally different climate advice on how to grow snowdrops without having gardened there. Although I note that most UK gardeners and snowdrop sellers operate in the green. I will say that in the mid-Atlantic US, whose climate is nothing like the UK---very hot in summer, very cold in winter, I have been selling snowdrops in the green for 20 years with no problems. I receive all my new collection additions in the green, and every one comes up and blooms the following spring.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I didn't realise that "in the green" might be such an issue. I never queried why we do it, i just accepted that this is what we do. But I thought it would be interesting to try digging some up in the summer and dividing. Perhaps try some in pots and some in the. Ground. Our garden will certainly not be as dry as others in the States or the south of England so it might be an interesting experiment.
DeleteI forgot to add that snowdrops acquired the way John advises usually do not flower the following year in the US. Also, with regard to his statement about moving around plants in flower, I am an unusual nursery because I grow many of the plants I sell in the ground. I dig almost all of them when they are flowering and sell them then, including hellebores, pulmonarias, primroses, all kinds of US natives, etc., with nothing but compliments from my customers for the high quality and long term health of my plants. It is important when making blanket statements that one has actually tried what one is disparaging. Now I will get off my high horse.
ReplyDeleteI presumed John Grimshaw had tried what he was advocating.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I enjoyed your photos, since my own are just poking through the ground, though they are doing better than the late March flowering they had last year.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to hear John Grisham's news on digging them dormant, but it is worth a try. Though the obvious problem of finding them to dig must be overcome.
I love your idea of making up pots for gifts! Something we gardeners might bring to our non-gardening friends. I should try it next year.
Julie, I am forever digging up bulbs by mistake and the dog or cats scratch them to the surface. I always replant them as soon as I notice and they don't seem to be any the worse for it.
DeleteVery pretty. Love that first pic of the field of snowdrops! How incredible would that be to see! I dig and move a lot of plants when they're blooming! I know it's not usually recommended, but sometimes it's just easier that way!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes think rules are there to be broken, Holley, especially in our own gardens.
ReplyDeleteI wish i am living in a temperate climate to also join the galantophiles. I can understand what you said about them, as i only saw them once in the mountains of Turkey, in their natural habitat and they are far behind in beauty and number than that first photo, yet i am totally smitten. Now when i see snowdrop posts i always linger in them, just like in Carolyn's post. And oh how beautiful your photos here are! I have lots of orange red amaryllis and i think they behave like the snowdrop, only that our amaryllis are dormant in dry season, comparative to their dormancy in winter.
ReplyDeleteI certainly don't think you could grow them where you are, Andrea. You'll have to visit Europe at this time of year on a long holiday to get your snowdrop fix!
DeleteCoincidence, we must have been writing our posts at the same time Janet. Lovely first photo of the wild snowdrop, will be going to Painswick Garden soon so hope to see drifts like that. John Grimshaw has certainly started something hasn't he, think I will stay with the old method of splitting mine just after flowering has finished as that has always worked for me, anyway, how would I find them in the summer!!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike, Pauline. I think we'll skip the second bit of the saying...
DeleteI think I should have added a survey for and against dividing snowdrops in the green.... It might have been interesting!
I'm going to stay with the 'in the green' method, I think. It has always worked for me and I've never noticed a year's set back (though I have dug them up in summer by mistake to no apparent detriment). I just find it easier to lift a clump that has finished flowering, divide and replant them rather than trying to find the same clump in summer. It does seem that there is always a contrary view to perceived convention. And, I suppose, long may that continue otherwise all would be very dull, don't you think? Superb photos, Janet.
ReplyDeleteI have always planted snowdrops in the green. The big drawback for summer division apart from the difficulty in finding them among other plants is that I'm already finding it difficult to get all the other jobs done.
DeleteWhat beautiful photos. Glad I read this post as I had been tempted too after visiting Carolyn's Shade Garden blog. I've decided to stick to one variety, at least for a little while anyway. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your nice comments.
ReplyDeleteCryatal, you and i will go for the larger picture and leave the collecting to others.
DeleteHurrah Spring is on the way.Lovely pictures Janet, my bulb shoots are just poking out of the ground have not come through yet.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a good show of bulbs this year, Crocosmia.
DeleteLovely photos Janet. Mass drifts of snowdrops are really magical. I could never become a collector, I lack the patience to crawl around admiring the slight variations between the different kinds, but I would love to have huge drifts. We've had quite good success with just planting bulbs in Autumn, and given how cheap they, I think this will be how I get my drifts - if it every happens!
ReplyDeleteAnother fan of drifts of snowdrops. It's such a highlight at this time of year, Janet.
DeleteI like your idea of snowdrops in pots as gifts - think I might pinch that one. I have previously moved snowdrops after the leaves have gone and they have done very well. This year I moved some in the green to make way for aa new shed so we shall see how they do
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to pinch " my idea" Helen. I'm sure I must have pinched it from somewhere.... I think the important point about replanting any bulb is that it isn't allowed to dry out and has time to build up its strength for flowering. I hope yours do well.
DeleteA perfect title for your post Janet - it just rolls off the tongue! That bank of snowdrops looks quite breathtaking. I've planted 'drops using both methods and have not got a preference. Each technique has its pluses and minuses. I have a small collection of named snowdrops which I keep in pots so that I can enjoy them at close quarters. As well as being able to see them better I can also enjoy their delicious scent. I do not think that I could become a galanthophile though unless a lottery win comes my way. May have one or two spare bulbs looking for a good home later this year if you are interested :)
ReplyDeleteAnna, I think it's always a good option to have some in pots and if they are special ones all the better. If you have some looking for a good home that would be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteJanet thank you for this - I have had unspectacular lack with the in the green - will try summer if I can remember where they are HOWEVER we are being very destructive in our little garden - tomorrow the stumpgrinding machine arrives to trample it. I will have to go for removal full spate and let you know next year.
ReplyDeleteGosh, Catherine, you may have mangled snowdrops at the end of all that. Stump grinders in action are powerful machines.
DeleteReally lovely post. I look forward to the early blooming bulbs -- their green is a welcome sight after the gray and browns of winter.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more, Kevin. There seems to be a lot of brown in our garden in spite of snowdrops and hellebores.
DeleteLovely pics! I planted a tray of snowdrop bulblets in the autumn that my mum dug up from their garden. Some were just starting to sprout then, and they seem to have taken well, a dozen flowering so far. I've ordered a few more though, which will come in the green, so fingers crossed this timing works too (it seems to have stood many gardens in good stead for years).
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Feb copy of GI too - beautiful snowdrops.
Do I detect that you have been reading some thrillers recently? ;) Grisham vs Grimshaw did conjure up an amusing picture...
Your terracotta pots of snowdrops looks like lovely gifts.
S x
Sara, i can't believe I typed Grisham instead of Grimshaw. I had just said to P that how similar their names were. I've never read John Grisham although i have seen the films based on the books. I will chnge that. Thanks for pointing it out.
ReplyDeleteGood to see there,s another GI fan out there.
(there's still one Grisham in there ;) Very similar names, your brain had obviously seized on that in a determination to fox you. I hate it when I type what I'm hearing instead of what I'm thinking, or think "mustn't type such-and-such by mistake" and then promptly do so. Mind you, with tales of record auction prices and thefts, a snowdrop may yet end up in court!
ReplyDeleteI love GI, it takes a lot to restrain me from reading it cover to cover as soon as I can after it lands. My mum manages to keep hers until the month it refers to, but there has to be a lot going on to keep me from mine that long!
I should get you to do my proof reading, Sara. I typed "pong" instead of "pond" on another blog comment. Fortunately I noticed in time....
DeleteYour mother is obviously a woman of restraint. I have a cupboard full of them. They are a great source of reference and inspiration..