It did seem awfully quick this year. I hope I gave them sufficient attention while they were here. I'm very much enjoying Hellebores at the moment. Beautifully written by the way. Your posts always make me smile.
Many thanks Mike, ironically, in a brief spell of dry weather yesterday as dusk was falling, I popped them out of their pots and into the garden. The root ball held together well so weren’t disrupted. I’m keeping everything crossed!
It’s a good loamy soil which I’ve enriched with some organic material… I’ve tried bulbs but just yesterday bought three (that magic number!) little pots of snowdrop Galanthus Ikariae ‘in the green’ and plan to put them in a semi shaded bed next to a protective wall.
I wasn’t sure whether to bury the pots to their soil level to avoid root disturbance at this stage then gently dig up and remove from pots… after flowering and the leaves have finished their job…before final planting. Thank you in advance for your expert advice. 😊
So glad you are buying in threes Alison. Does the area ever get waterlogged? Whilst they need a good loamy soil, snowdrops do like a free draining element too. I'd be inclined to plant them straight in the ground with a label, so you know where they are.
So beautifully crafted as always Mike. I’ve never had much luck with snowdrops when planted in my garden… this has urged me to ‘have another go’! They truly are a beautiful flower… a symbol of gardening hope after the dark winter months.
A lovely piece Mike ..haven’t t they been glorious . Over so quick x so nice to remind us of the joy they bring when the first one blooms . Oh there’s a snow drop ! Joy !
Why this craze for these "little drops of milk" Before attending the Garden Intelligentia I only knew the "Snowdrops" - Galanthus Nivalis and I lived happily strolling in the undergrowth.
And then for several years like a fashion week parade they have appeared in all the media, adorned in white and green on every seam, expatriates from all their countries of origin.
Ambassadors from all walks of life watch for these wonders like the arrival of the Messiah Spring.
So I, like a fashion victim, became interested in it.🤦♂️
2 years ago I installed Nivalis in the garden, proud to display them like a trophy! And then discovering originalities, I decided to continue my quest and last year, added Galanthus double Floro Pleno💚🤍💚.
All this for an ungrateful February which only showed me common Nivalis in flower. ☹️
So I have spring sulking and I support the claims of single daffodils and multi-colored primroses relegated to the ranks of old garden wonders and old gardeners. I invite forsythia to join the movement to ask finicky galanthus to show a little modesty and stop arrogantly pulling all the cover towards them.
Well, I'm not anti-galanthus and I'm going to continue to give them the place that suits them, no more, no less... Unless I quickly develop acute galanthipolia reading all of you😅😅
Hehe great response as now anticipated my friend. Thanks for reading. I'm sure your sulking snowdrops will soon realise they need to settle in and start flowering for you. My advice...? Tell them you'll compost them if they don't. It always works for me!
Thanks for sharing this, Mike. I inherited snowdrops in my new garden. I feel so blessed to have them but they were gone so quickly. Still, I managed to pay attention and enjoy them while they lasted. They are just the common type but perfect.
I really enjoyed reading this Mike. I only have the ‘common’ snowdrop in my garden but I love them so much. To see those first little shoots emerge from the wintry ground brings me so much happiness. They are a gentle looking flower yet as tough as could be. Mine are fading now and didn’t seem to be here very long at all. They are making way for their more colourful friends which are also so welcome after a long, grey winter. As gardeners aren’t we so lucky to have so much to look forward to? Anne x
So beautifully written Mike, it conjured up a magical scene. I’m still enjoying drifts of nivalis in my shady areas. The variety ones were all planted too close to each other and now their name labels are muddled 🙄 but still a delight. Are they going over quickly or the weeks passing faster as we age? It’s my iris reticulata that have gone over in a flash! Thank you 😊
Thanks for reading Amanda. And yes, my iris reticulata have also gone over in the blink of an eye. And I too have a sneaky suspicion with the passing years time does fly a little bit quicker?!
What a beautifully crafted piece of writing. I listened whilst having my breakfast and it was a lovely start to the day. Like many people I have different microclimates in my garden so the snowdrops season has been extended a little I have increased my stock of the delicate, pearly white gems this year and have a few ‘special’ snowdrops but mainly the much loved Galanthus nivalis and G Flore Pleno. These content me without breaking the bank or causing me sleepless nights in case the vagaries of life in the garden cause their demise. They are starting to slumber now but the green shoots of narcissi and the plump noses of tulips promise more joy to come.
Thanks for reading Sheila. I do have a few special snowdrops, but certainly none of the expensive ones, for the very same reasons. You can't beat a good old common snowdrop in my opinion and they bulk up so quickly.
It did seem awfully quick this year. I hope I gave them sufficient attention while they were here. I'm very much enjoying Hellebores at the moment. Beautifully written by the way. Your posts always make me smile.
Thanks for reading Danielle. I too am shouting out about hellebores right now... when it's not raining, of course!
I’ll keep you posted! Thank you.
Thanks Alison.
… I meant to add, we have a good free draining soil… I tend to add some organic material to planting areas to help too.
That should be just about perfect Alison.
Many thanks Mike, ironically, in a brief spell of dry weather yesterday as dusk was falling, I popped them out of their pots and into the garden. The root ball held together well so weren’t disrupted. I’m keeping everything crossed!
Keeping everything crossed Alison.
It’s a good loamy soil which I’ve enriched with some organic material… I’ve tried bulbs but just yesterday bought three (that magic number!) little pots of snowdrop Galanthus Ikariae ‘in the green’ and plan to put them in a semi shaded bed next to a protective wall.
I wasn’t sure whether to bury the pots to their soil level to avoid root disturbance at this stage then gently dig up and remove from pots… after flowering and the leaves have finished their job…before final planting. Thank you in advance for your expert advice. 😊
So glad you are buying in threes Alison. Does the area ever get waterlogged? Whilst they need a good loamy soil, snowdrops do like a free draining element too. I'd be inclined to plant them straight in the ground with a label, so you know where they are.
I have reined in my eBay snowdrop buying this year. Finding it a bit hard to tell the difference between some that I’ve already got!
I know what you mean Kate. The differences between some varieties are so subtle you can miss them. Thanks for reading.
So beautifully crafted as always Mike. I’ve never had much luck with snowdrops when planted in my garden… this has urged me to ‘have another go’! They truly are a beautiful flower… a symbol of gardening hope after the dark winter months.
Thanks for reading Alison. What's your soil like? And where have you been planting them?
A lovely piece Mike ..haven’t t they been glorious . Over so quick x so nice to remind us of the joy they bring when the first one blooms . Oh there’s a snow drop ! Joy !
Thanks for reading Nic. They always put the biggest smile on my face too. Enjoy every minute they're with us.
Snowdrops, snowdrops, snowdrops!
Why this craze for these "little drops of milk" Before attending the Garden Intelligentia I only knew the "Snowdrops" - Galanthus Nivalis and I lived happily strolling in the undergrowth.
And then for several years like a fashion week parade they have appeared in all the media, adorned in white and green on every seam, expatriates from all their countries of origin.
Ambassadors from all walks of life watch for these wonders like the arrival of the Messiah Spring.
So I, like a fashion victim, became interested in it.🤦♂️
2 years ago I installed Nivalis in the garden, proud to display them like a trophy! And then discovering originalities, I decided to continue my quest and last year, added Galanthus double Floro Pleno💚🤍💚.
All this for an ungrateful February which only showed me common Nivalis in flower. ☹️
So I have spring sulking and I support the claims of single daffodils and multi-colored primroses relegated to the ranks of old garden wonders and old gardeners. I invite forsythia to join the movement to ask finicky galanthus to show a little modesty and stop arrogantly pulling all the cover towards them.
Well, I'm not anti-galanthus and I'm going to continue to give them the place that suits them, no more, no less... Unless I quickly develop acute galanthipolia reading all of you😅😅
Hehe great response as now anticipated my friend. Thanks for reading. I'm sure your sulking snowdrops will soon realise they need to settle in and start flowering for you. My advice...? Tell them you'll compost them if they don't. It always works for me!
I note the tip😉. Thanks🙌
My pleasure as always.
Thanks for sharing this, Mike. I inherited snowdrops in my new garden. I feel so blessed to have them but they were gone so quickly. Still, I managed to pay attention and enjoy them while they lasted. They are just the common type but perfect.
Thanks for reading Franny. I adore the common snowdrops and they bulk up quite quickly.
I have so many, I've been gifting them out to lovely peeps!😅
That's what plants are all about. Sharing with loved ones.
I really enjoyed reading this Mike. I only have the ‘common’ snowdrop in my garden but I love them so much. To see those first little shoots emerge from the wintry ground brings me so much happiness. They are a gentle looking flower yet as tough as could be. Mine are fading now and didn’t seem to be here very long at all. They are making way for their more colourful friends which are also so welcome after a long, grey winter. As gardeners aren’t we so lucky to have so much to look forward to? Anne x
Thanks for reading Anne. Yes, they are so delicate looking but tough as old boots. Like you, enjoy enjoying my Hella and early daffs. Aren't we lucky!
So beautifully written Mike, it conjured up a magical scene. I’m still enjoying drifts of nivalis in my shady areas. The variety ones were all planted too close to each other and now their name labels are muddled 🙄 but still a delight. Are they going over quickly or the weeks passing faster as we age? It’s my iris reticulata that have gone over in a flash! Thank you 😊
Thanks for reading Amanda. And yes, my iris reticulata have also gone over in the blink of an eye. And I too have a sneaky suspicion with the passing years time does fly a little bit quicker?!
What a beautifully crafted piece of writing. I listened whilst having my breakfast and it was a lovely start to the day. Like many people I have different microclimates in my garden so the snowdrops season has been extended a little I have increased my stock of the delicate, pearly white gems this year and have a few ‘special’ snowdrops but mainly the much loved Galanthus nivalis and G Flore Pleno. These content me without breaking the bank or causing me sleepless nights in case the vagaries of life in the garden cause their demise. They are starting to slumber now but the green shoots of narcissi and the plump noses of tulips promise more joy to come.
Thanks for reading Sheila. I do have a few special snowdrops, but certainly none of the expensive ones, for the very same reasons. You can't beat a good old common snowdrop in my opinion and they bulk up so quickly.
I agree Mike. What a generous little plant it is; it multiplies with almost no effort from the gardener apart from occasionally dividing the clumps.
Beautifully written! Have loved them this year Mike, I would love some more varieties but it’s a dangerous alley to walk down 😂!
Thanks Shweta. Yes, a very, very dangerous road to go down. I have made a few tentative steps but I think I will stop where I am!