Snowdrop

Snowdrop (Galanthus) - Always loved in English gardens, the old Snowdrop is now known to be only one member of a large family, most of which have merits for garden culture.

Planting Snowdrops

The Snowdrop never looks better than when naturalised in turf in orchards, on the margins of lawns, or beside woodland walks. Almost any soil suits the Snowdrop, but peaty and warm open soils are best. All the Snowdrops are hardy, and may be naturalised, grown on the rock garden, or in the wild garden, where they may be associated with Anemone, early Crocuses, Winter Aconites. As cut flowers, Snowdrops are most attractive, but to cull the flowers in bud is essential, as they can be carried better and open fresher in water than if cut when fully open. Buds so gathered will remain beautiful for ten days or longer, while flowers cut after expansion will fade in about a week.

The present growing state of our knowledge of Snowdrops may best be gleaned from a paper read by Mr Jas. Allen before the Royal Horticultural Society, of which the following is an abstract:—

In speaking of Snowdrops we must not forget that, besides the division into species and sub-species, we have the arrangements into classes, according to colors and other peculiarities. Consequently we hear of white Snowdrops and yellow Snowdrops, and also green Snowdrops.

Snowdrop Pictures

Galanthus nivalis L. - snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis L. - snowdrop

Related Flowers

Galanthus Imperati

Galanthus Imperati - I think no botanist would be able to say where nivalis ended and Imperati commenced. In the section to which G. nivalis and G. Imperati belong, there are some most lovely Snowdrops, amongst which I would mention first Mr Melvilles Dunrobin form. G. n. Atkinsi is second to none in size, form, quality and freedom in growth. It is the plant known to some as Imperati of Atkins.

Galanthus Plicatus

Galanthus Plicatus - Is very distinct, and in its best forms of great beauty. The foremost place in this section belongs to G. p. maximus. G. plicatus usually flowers late, but I have a selected form, G. p. pracox, which flowers with the early varieties of G. nivalis. Another selected form, G. p. Omega, flowers with the very latest.

Galanthus Elwesi

Galanthus Elwesi - The best forms of this are large and handsome, but it wants the most sheltered spots in the garden to thrive. Many find it difficult to manage, but with me it grows very freely, especially on one bed of very light soil, where the seedlings are almost a nuisance.

Galanthus Latifolius

Galanthus Latifolius - The most distinct of all Snowdrops, with its broad grass-green foliage and small pure white flowers, it has a delicate beauty all its own, more especially just before the bud expands, when the two leaves curve so lovingly round the flower-stem.

Galanthus Fosteri

Galanthus Fosteri - The markings on the inner petals are very similar to those of G. Elwesi, but the foliage is quite different, being broad and somewhat blunt, and in shape and color much like the leaves of Scilla sibirica.

Galanthus Alleni

Galanthus Alleni - Mr Barker thinks this is probably a hybrid between G. latifolius and G. caucasicus, as it has some of the features of each species. The flower is of much the same character as that of G. latifolius, but nearly twice as large, and the foliage corresponds in size with the blossoms.

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