{"id":30488,"date":"2024-01-11T15:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T14:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f8b7beed-0a74-4a2b-b209-e75791d9bee6"},"modified":"2024-01-11T16:34:55","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T15:34:55","slug":"why-you-should-buy-snowdrops-in-the-green-plus-how-to-plant-them","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/why-you-should-buy-snowdrops-in-the-green-plus-how-to-plant-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Why you should buy snowdrops in the green – plus how to plant them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Planting snowdrops in the green is considered the best way to establish them. Here’s advice on why you should buy them, where to buy and how to plant <\/p>

By Veronica Peerless\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 11 January 2024 at 14:00 PM<\/p>

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Snowdrops<\/a> are a highlight of the winter garden, and look especially beautiful when planted in large drifts. While they can be planted as dry bulbs in autumn, or bought as plants in flower from the garden centre in late winter, they are best planted ‘in the green’ (in leaf) in March. They will establish more quickly and reliably this way. <\/p>

Read our full guide to growing snowdrops<\/a>.<\/p>

Planting snowdrops in the green is an excellent way to establish masses of these beautiful late winter flowers cheaply. They look beautiful planted with pink Cyclamen<\/a> coum<\/em> or yellow aconites, which flower at around the same time. Snowdrops are usually ordered online or by mail order from specialist bulb suppliers<\/a>.<\/p>

Jump to:<\/strong><\/p>

What are snowdrops in the green?<\/a>Why plant snowdrops in the green?<\/a>When to buy snowdrops in the green<\/a>How to plant snowdrops in the green<\/a>Where to buy snowdrops in the green<\/a><\/p>

Everything you need to know about planting snowdrops in the green<\/h2>

What are snowdrops in the green?<\/h3>
\u00a9 Veronica Peerless<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Snowdrops in the green are plants that have been dug up after they have flowered, in leaf, for planting immediately. They are usually pre-ordered in January and sent out in February or March. <\/p>

Snowdrops in the green are usually sold in bundles of 25 up to 1,000, and the more you buy, the cheaper they are.<\/p>

Snowdrops sold for planting in the green are usually two commonly available types \u2013 Galanthus nivalis <\/em>(with single flowers) and Galanthus nivalis ‘<\/em>Flore Pleno’ (with double flowers). You may also come across the larger Galanthus elwesii<\/em>.<\/p>

Other more sought-after cultivars are sold in the green, but not in large quantities. If you are looking for an unusual snowdrop variety (some cultivars can fetch very high prices), you are better off visiting a specialist online supplier, snowdrop fair<\/a> or even eBay \u2013 in 2022, a single snowdrop bulb sold for a record-busting \u00a31,850<\/a>.<\/p>

Aconites, bluebells<\/a> and lily of the valley<\/a>, wood anemones<\/a> and wild garlic<\/a> can also be planted in the green. All bulbs in the green need to be planted as soon as they arrive so that they don’t dry out.<\/p>

Why plant snowdrops in the green?<\/h3>

The main reason for planting snowdrops in the green is to give the plants time to establish before they come into flower again the following winter. Dry snowdrop bulbs do not keep well and are prone to drying out or rotting. Another benefit is that it’s easy to identify exactly where you want to plant your snowdrops, and you’ll be able to see exactly where they are \u2013 if you plant the tiny dry bulbs in autumn, it’s very easy to forget where you planted them, risking them being dug up accidentally. It’s also a very economical way of planting them – while a single small pot of snowdrops can cost around \u00a310 at the garden centre in February, a bundle of around 25 bulbs in the green costs around the same amount, and the more you buy, the cheaper they become.<\/p>

When to buy snowdrops in the green<\/h2>

Snowdrops in the green are usually available to pre-order online or by mail order in January (sought-after varieties may sell out) and are sent out in February or March.<\/p>

How to plant snowdrops in the green<\/h2>
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Snowdrops in the green – \u00a9 Veronica Peerless<\/figcaption><\/figure>