There are several species and many hundreds of cultivars of snowdrops. You can tell them apart by the green (or sometimes yellow) markings on the inner petals. Occasionally the outer petals are also tipped with colour. There are both single and double varieties.<\/p>\n
Many types are rare or scarce, and demand high prices per bulb \u2013 in 2022, a single snowdrop bulb sold for \u00a31,850<\/a>. However you can create a wonderful display with the more widely available, affordable types that are widely available at nurseries and garden centres.<\/p>\n Snowdrops are perennial, so will flower year after year. Once established, they are low maintenance and mostly trouble free. However, they need the right growing conditions to thrive.<\/p>\n Jump to<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dry snowdrop bulbs<\/a> should be planted in autumn, at the same time as other spring bulbs such as narcissi<\/a> (daffodils).<\/p>\n You can also plant container-grown snowdrops (often sold in flower at the garden centre) in late winter.<\/p>\n Snowdrops are best planted \u2018in the green\u2019. This means they are dug up while still in growth, in late spring, as the leaves are about to die back. Snowdrops in the green are usually sold online or by mail order, and should be planted as soon as they arrive so that they don\u2019t dry out.<\/p>\n More on\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Snowdrops: The best places to see snowdrops in 2023<\/a><\/p>\n The best snowdrops for your garden<\/a><\/p>\n White magic: how to propagate snowdrops<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Most snowdrops flower in late winter and early spring. However some types, such as Galanthus reginae-olgae <\/em>subsp. reginae-olgae<\/em>, flower in autumn.<\/p>\n Plant snowdrops in moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer \u2013 a position in part shade<\/a> is ideal, as they will receive some sunlight and rain in spring but have cover in the summer. A spot under the canopy of a deciduous tree is perfect.<\/p>\n Snowdrops look fantastic in large drifts and naturalise well. To enjoy their blooms, intricate markings and scent up close, you could try planting them on a bank, or in pots on a plant stand.<\/p>\n Snowdrops are available as dry bulbs, container grown plants in pots, or plants \u2018in the green\u2019.<\/p>\n Plant dry bulbs in autumn, 10cm deep, with the pointed end of the bulb facing up. Use a trowel, or a specialist bulb planter.<\/p>\n Plant snowdrops in the green to the same depth as they were growing before \u2013 you should be able to see where the stem turns from green to white. Space plants at least 10cm (4in) apart.<\/p>\n To increase your number of plants for an impressive display, lift clumps of snowdrops just after flowering, and before the foliage turns yellow. Divide the clumps into smaller groups and replant them straightaway at the same depth, further apart.<\/p>\n For snowdrop types that set seed, you can harvest the fresh green seed as it ripens and sow into pots of compost. They may not come true from seed.<\/p>\n You can also propagate snowdrops by chipping and scaling the bulbs, but these are specialist techniques. If you fancy having a go, read our our guide to propagating snowdrops<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once established, snowdrops need little care.<\/p>\n After flowering, allow the foliage to die back on its own.<\/p>\n Snowdrops grown in containers need to be repotted into fresh compost every year when dormant, in late spring or summer.<\/p>\n Plants in containers also must be watered to stay moist throughout the year.<\/p>\n Failure to flower<\/strong><\/p>\n Often snowdrops will fail or not come back after one season because they have dried out. Be sure to plant them in a spot in your garden that does not dry out in summer \u2013 under a deciduous tree is ideal.<\/p>\n Snowdrops flower for longer in cool, overcast conditions, and will go over faster in bright, warm weather.<\/p>\nHow to grow snowdrops<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>When to plant snowdrops<\/h3>\n
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<\/div>When do snowdrops flower?<\/h3>\n
Where to plant snowdrops<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>How to plant snowdrops<\/h3>\n
How to propagate snowdrops<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>How to care for snowdrops<\/h3>\n
Snowdrop problems<\/h3>\n
Short blooming time<\/h4>\n
Narcissus bulb fly<\/h4>\n