There are certain plants that inspire enthusiasm bordering on fanaticism; and despite its delicate looks and unassuming demeanour, the snowdrop is one of them. Collectors (who are known as galanthophiles) gather in scarves and gloves at chilly ‘Snowdrop Days’ around the country. Here they seek out rarities (and pay extraordinary prices for them) while debating the arcane distinctions between varieties that look more or less identical to the rest of us.
You might not be tempted to join them, but you’re certainly likely to be tempted to buy a few snowdrops – for a reasonable price – to add some sparkle in the depths of winter. From drifts of dainty Galanthus nivalis in churchyards or woods, or scattered through our borders, to sumptuous doubles and large teardrop forms with real impact, snowdrops lift our spirits and make us smile while the ice is breaking.
Whether or not they are truly native to Britain is debatable (and opinion seems to be coming down in favour of the latter), but they certainly look perfectly at home in UK woodland and in domestic gardens.
Hardy heroes
AGM holder G. nivalis is resilient in the face of ice and snow, and can be relied upon to naturalise, while two other species, G. elwesii and G. plicatus, can be naturalised in the same way – on a woodland scale or on a garden scale and will spread by seed and division. Both are noticeably larger then G. nivalis, but while the former has broad grey leaves wrapped around each other at the base, the edges of the latter’s leaves are rolled back. The flowers are also bigger than those of G. nivalis, but these are highly variable in stature, in the shape of the outer petals and in the shape and extent of the markings on the inner petals – all features used by experts to distinguish between the hundreds of varieties available.
Denne historien er fra January 18, 2020-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra January 18, 2020-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters