'Magnet's charm lies in its large pear shaped flowers, up to one inch, that appear on long arching eight inch stalks from late winter to early spring. Like all snowdrops, each flower has six tepals, three larger outer ones and three smaller inner ones. 'Magnet's inner ones have a distinctive, inverted V shaped green mark at their tips. The narrow, grey green leaves are characteristically strap like and have folded margins. This vigorous snowdrop is perfect for naturalising in grass or lightly shaded woodland. Snowdrops should be grown in humus rich, moist but well drained soil that does not dry out in summer.
Propagation: Lift and divide dumps of bulbs as soon as the leaves begin to die down after flowering. |
One of the loveliest spring finds in the garden is a clump of this enchanting Balkan species snowdrop. Every year, this herald of Spring peeps its first signs of its characteristic broad, glaucous leaves peeping through the hard winter earth. The utterly delightful flowers appear a little later on six inch stalks as large but slender drooping goblets, with two green markings on each inner tepal. They have a slight honey scent and, when picked, will keep in water in the house for several days. For snowdrops to thrive they must be planted in humus rich soil that does not dry out in summer.
Propagation: Lift and divide dumps of bulbs as soon as the leaves begin to die down after flowering. |
All single snowdrops, with their drooping heart-shaped heads have a refined beauty not shared by their double cousins, but Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' is charming in a different way. The layers of tightly packed petals make the half inch flowers splay out to resemble tiny ballerinas' tutus. If the flowers have a disadvantage it is that they can be irregular, but as they should be planted en masse, it is not noticeable. Avid snowdrop collectors should be on the look out for a double snowdrop called 'Pusey Green Tip' as its blooms have interesting pale green markings on their outer tepals. Double snowdrops also need humus rich, moist but well drained soil that does not dry out in summer.
Propagation: Lift and divide dumps of bulbs as soon as the leaves begin to die down after flowering. |
