Snowdrop Spotting and Collecting is Growing

Snowdrop fanciers will search all corners of the globe to view and collect bulbs of the genus Galanthus, which when translated from the Greek means milk flower. Old English names for snowdrop include Candlemas Bells and Fair Maids of February, both of which are associated with Candlemas day on the 2nd February.

In late winter thousands of snowdrop lovers visit British gardens whatever the weather to admire, sell and buy these tiny, brave, bell-shaped flowers.

Species and Cultivars of Galanthus

Although there are only 19 species of Galanthus there are, believe it or not, over 150 cultivars. To most of us one snowdrop looks much like any other, but to the galanthophile that’s like telling a shepherd that his sheep all look the same. Some have pale green-glaucous leaves, some pale broad leaves and others possess linear, twisted leaves. Different species vary in vigour and height. Most have single flowers whilst a few cultivars carry double ones and others are lightly scented.

Positive identification requires close up inspection of the tepals (that’s the inner ring of petals) which have identifying usually green, but occasionally yellow blotches. These are the snowdrop’s equivalent of human fingerprints and the reason why snowdrop fanciers are often spotted on their hands and knees peering at the tiny white flowers

Some of the Best Snowdrops for the Novice to Grow

The common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis originated in Italy and was introduced to Britain in the 17th century. Its small honey scented flowers are 1.5cm long with an inverted green mark at the top of each inner tepal. Others for the beginner to plant include:

• Galanthus elwesii which is more robust than Galanthus nivalis with 10-15cm long glaucous leaves and 2-3cm long honey scented white flowers. Each flower is marked with two green markings.
• Galanthus ‘John Gray’ is robust and early with big flowers on short, arching stems.
• Galanthus ‘Magnet’ is vigorous and carries large blooms on very long flower stalks.
• Galanthus ‘S Arnott’ is a sturdy sweet-scented, large flowered and widely grown.

Snowdrops are notoriously promiscuous so consequently natural crosses are common, giving rise to distinct variations in large populations.

Some Less Common Snowdrops to Collect

Anyone interesting in becoming a snowdrop expert could start their collection with the following:

• Galanthus reginae-olgae. This one has a distinct white stripe along the centre of each leaf, but what makes it stand out from the masses is the fact that it produces its faintly scented flowers in autumn.
• Galanthus pliacatus ‘EA Bowles’ has six white outer petals and no shorter inner petals (tepals) as is normally the case.

Suitable Conditions for Snowdrops

Snowdrops are happiest when they receive winter sunshine and protection from summer heat. Any humus-rich, moist but well drained soil suits them just fine. The western edge of a deciduous wood is ideal.

Using Galanthus Species in the Garden

In the garden Galanthus species combine well with purple Hellebores and yellow winter aconites. Drifts are particularly effective when planted beneath deciduous shrubs such as Viburnum x bodnantense, Hamamelis mollis and Daphne mezereum.

Where to Buy and See Snowdrops

Throughout the UK more and more gardens with massed displays of snowdrops are opening their gates to the public. At some gardens you can buy bulbs with their foliage intact which is the best time to plant them and is referred to as planting them in the green. Details of gardens open to the public with spectacular snowdrop displays can be found on a dedicated web site.

Specialist firms supplying snowdrop bulbs include Broadleigh Bulbs.