Interested starting a snowdrop collection, but not sure where to start?
Well now’s the time as the easiest way to plant snowdrops is ‘in the green’ just after flowering.
Try following these suggestions from Margaret and David MacLennan, who hold the National Collection of Galanthus with Scientific status:
‘If you are thinking of moving on from the common snowdrop, the choice can be daunting. There are so many to choose from and the cost can be eyewatering with new introductions sometimes exchanging hands for hundreds of pounds on eBay.
A good starter that won’t break the bank is Galanthus Magnet. It grows well in most conditions and will soon bulk up, making a definite statement at the front of the border.
If you are looking for something a bit more exotic go for Galanthus John Gray. It was the pursuit of a single bulb of this beautiful hybrid that set Margaret on the path to the collection of more than 2000 varieties that we have today.
Once you start browsing the websites of specialist snowdrop suppliers like Avon Bulbs, you will find that there are endless choices. There are Galanthus that come into flower as early as September and some that wait till April. If you like the idea of something a bit special how about one of the yellow ones? This is ‘Wendy’s Gold’ found at an Iron Age site on the outskirts of Cambridge.
Remember, the older, well established varieties of snowdrops that cost less can be full of character and beauty. They are usually not too fussy about where they grow. The light shade under a deciduous shrub or tree is ideal. They need to see the sky and feel the rain when they are in flower. Grow them in lattice pots sunk in the ground or in sand frames as we do – with Dalefoot Compost!’
For other suppliers of snowdrops in the green try: www.ashwoodnurseries.com or
www.sarahraven.com