Are snowdrops valuable?

The sometimes eye-watering prices paid for a single bulb generate many column inches for the sceptics. Yet the prices equate to rarity – as they do with any plant. A plant with few bulbs in circulation will be more expensive than one with multiple sellers and plentiful supply.

Which snowdrops are worth money?

The most valuable is the galanthus woronowii, also known as the 'Elizabeth Harrison', or giant snowdrop.

Why are snowdrops so expensive?

The high cost of snowdrop bulbs

The basic reason is their slow rate of increase which can generally be described as modest, at best. We are all probably familiar with the way a clump of daffodils gradually increases in size and becomes mostly leaves with few flowers. We dig it up and find a large ball of bulbs.

What is the most expensive snowdrop bulb?

The record for the most expensive snowdrop has been smashed yet again: a single new snowdrop bulb has sold on eBay for a record-breaking £1,850 (plus a modest £5 postage). Galanthus plicatus 'Golden Tears' was bred by Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery, known as the 'king of snowdrops'.

Is snowdrop flower rare?

Rare snowdrop varieties are not usually easy to propagate, hence the hefty price tag per bulb! Snowdrops were named after earrings not drops of snow. There are more than 2,500 varieties of snowdrop. They are symbolic of spring, purity and religion.

Magic forest / Zauberwald / it's mystery & why is it enchanted / Ramsau / Berchtesgaden / Bavaria

What is the rarest flower in Earth?

known as the rarest flower on earth, with it believed to be only two specimens of this species to exist. Below, you will find out more about this beautiful flower. The Middlemist's red belongs to the camellia genus and was imported from China as a luxury item in 1804, but was wiped from its native country.

Why are snowdrops special?

The flowering of snowdrops is one of the first signs that winter is drawing to an end. As a result, the flower has long been viewed as a symbol of hope for better times ahead. However, to see a single snowdrop flower was once viewed as a sign of impending death and it was considered bad luck to take one into a house.

Why are snowdrops difficult to grow?

Snowdrops are a woodland plant, which means their ideal growing conditions are partial shade, moist but well-drained soil. This is important because if the soil is too dry, and the bulbs to dry out, there is a real risk they will fail the following year.

Will snowdrops come back every year?

Again, if you planted your snowdrops in the green, they will not visibly grow in their first year. They will be establishing roots and feeding the bulb underground, ready to come into leaf and flower next year.

Can you lift snowdrop bulbs?

The best time to lift and move snowdrops is when they are dormant; i.e. after top growth has died back and before new root growth has begun - between June and late September for us. Lifted bulbs can be easily stored during this period in a shady cool corner and covered with a few centimeters of compost.

Is it illegal to pick snowdrops UK?

According to the Theft Act of 1968 it is illegal to…

In general, the picking of wildflowers is not illegal, so long as you don't uproot the whole plant, do so with intention to sell them for profit or accidentally pick a plant found on the list of endangered species.

What is a fun fact about snowdrops?

Snowdrops contain natural antifreeze and on frosty nights snowdrops collapse with freezing stress. Their antifreeze allows them to recover as soon as the temperatures rise. During the first world war, snowdrop bulbs were used to de-ice tanks! The Latin name for Snowdrop is 'Galanthus' which means “Milk Flower”

What is a collector of snowdrops called?

Snowdrop collectors – known as galanthophiles after the Latin name for snowdrops, Galanthus – can fall into this category.

When should I buy snowdrop bulbs?

While you can buy and plant dry bulbs in autumn, snowdrops are best planted 'in the green' (in leaf) in February. Once planted, they will establish more quickly and reliably than dry bulbs.

Should I plant snowdrops?

Simple to grow, early to flower and quick to spread, snowdrops are well worth adding to your planting scheme. If you're not sure which variety to choose, our award-winning snowdrop collection is a great place to start.

What do snowdrops attract?

Snowdrops are pollinated mainly by honey bees and bumblebees. Several reports suggested that snowdrops have green patterned inner tepals attracting and guiding pollinators with visual and/or olfactory displays.

Are snowdrops poisonous to dogs?

Yes, snowdrops are toxic to dogs.

All parts of the plant - including the bulbs, stem, and leaves - contain phenanthridine alkaloids, which can cause gastrointestinal issues if eaten, along with a wide range of unpleasant symptoms for pets - from vomiting and diarrhea to seizures, incoordination, and more.

Do snowdrops spread quickly?

It's the most common species because it self-seeds and spreads very quickly, which means you'll get to enjoy your snowy white display sooner. Always buy pots of snowdrops 'in the green'. They will have finished flowering but the leaves are still green and intact.

Can you plant snowdrops and bluebells together?

Planting aconites in the green, snows in the green and bluebell in the green will ensure a better flower production.

What triggers snowdrops to flower?

It should be noted that weather conditions have a huge influence on the flowering season of Snowdrops. The same Galanthus species can bloom considerably earlier or later from one year to the next, depending on how cold or warm the weather is.

Are snowdrops invasive?

Snowdrops flower from the end of December in northern Europe. In the northern United States they coincide with thawing snow in April. Galanthus naturalizes easily without help, making densely populated, yet well-behaved drifts (they are not considered invasive).

Why are snowdrops protected?

' All snowdrop species are endangered and wild snowdrops are protected under law, which means that they must never be picked or lifted from their wild or existing habitat.

What can you do with snowdrops?

Grow snowdrops in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Plant snowdrops in the green in February and March or as dry snowdrop bulbs in October and November. There's no need to prune plants but you may want to deadhead spent blooms to concentrate energy back to the bulb for a better display the following year.

Are snowdrops endangered?

Listed as Near Threatened on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Are snowdrops a protected flower?

Are snowdrops protected? Snowdrops, like many plant and animal species, are under threat in certain areas. They are protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) rulings, aka the Washington Convention. The trading of snowdrop bulbs is tightly regulated.