An authentic touch of spring has entered the window garden, for I awoke to find my potted Snowdrops in bloom. We all know these Galanthus nivalis from the outdoor garden. But it is indoors, not out, where we can best enjoy their true beauty: ribbons of pale green inside nodding, icy-white bells.
Snowdrops are among the easiest bulbs to force. I plant 5 bulbs to a 4-inch pot in October, and place them in cold storage (40 degrees) for at least 8 weeks. After this chilly duration, the bulbs are moved to the sunny but cool window garden, where dainty flowers emerge in only 3 week's time.
If you care for the bulbs after their flowers fade, these snowdrops can have a fine future in the outdoor garden. Provide food and water until foliage dies back. Then store the bulbs in a dry, cool place. When autumn arrives, plant them in a garden bed that receives full sun.
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
Snowdrops: A Prelude to Spring
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Oooh, I wish that I had forced snowdrops this year! I have them in the garden, but they never bloom for me before March. Who knew the inside of the flowers were so beautiful? Well, I guess you did!
Kevin, have you tried forcing the double variety?
Kevin,
Catherine the Great had an armed guard posted at the spot where her Snowdrops would bloom. I am sure that they were a very welcome sight at the end of a Russian winter. I couldn't imagine a garden with out them, and I have also forced some this winter. They are now budded and I should have flowers in a few days.
A note to Erika, Snowdrops are one of the few plants tat actually like to be transplanted when they are in bloom. That will not help in regard to enjoying them indoors now, but when they start to bloom in the garden you can pop up a small clump and set them in a nice pot somewhere where you can enjoy them indoors and then just pop them back in the ground when they are finished flowering.
What a great day to plant! I have spring fever today -- it's finally over 35 degrees!!
Randy - Thanks for the terrific snowdrop-history lesson! Now I will think of Kate the Great whenever I plant a galanthus bulb!
Judy - Over 35 degrees? Now that's what I call spring! It's about 20 degrees here, but the sun is shining so I can't complain.
kevin
What an incredible photograph with the delicate detail in the Snowdrop's petals next to your finger with the detail of your fingerprint.
Nature revealed in its intricate beauty...
Sara Swift
Greetings, Sara, and welcome back from Ireland, where the snowdrops were probably already in bloom.
Yolanda - I missed your question earlier. This is the first year I've tried the double snowdrops. I'll bring them out of cold-storage today. Thanks for the reminder!