Why can't I grow snowdrops?

Snowdrops hate sitting in dry soil and may die if kept in dry conditions throughout the year. Position them in dappled shade. This is why they achieve wonderful results when planted under trees, as they receive both sun and shade!

Why won't snowdrops grow in my garden?

Sometimes seedlings are lost through damping off which is caused by fungi and results in their collapse. Grey mould can affect snowdrops, especially in mild winters. While we think all this information will be helpful to you, we always recommend to read the instruction labels on your plants.

Can I still plant snowdrop bulbs?

The ideal time to plant snowdrop bulbs is during the autumn season, usually between September and November.

What are the requirements for snowdrops?

Grow snowdrops in a location that has full sun during the spring when the foliage is apparent. They prefer rich, well-drained soil. Plant the dry bulbs early in the fall but after the soil has cooled – generally when nighttime temperatures are in the 40ºFs and 50ºFs. Space the plants 3″ apart and set the bulbs 3″ deep.

Why are my snowdrops blind?

The most important rules to bear in mind when growing snowdrops indoors is that they should be kept cool and shaded, as too much heat can cause your bulbs to 'go blind' (fail to develop flower buds). For optimum conditions, they should ideally be kept on a North-facing windowsill.

A Simple Guide to Growing Snowdrops

Are snowdrops hard to grow?

In future seasons, there will be no need to divide and separate your snowdrop bulbs, so other than these initial considerations, snowdrops are among the easiest plants to grow. (For early season blooms in the warmest of regions, snowflakes, or Leucojum, are recommended as more perennial choices.)

Is it bad luck to bring snowdrops indoors?

For many Victorians, a single snowdrop signified death and they considered it bad luck to bring one into the home.

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 do snowdrops need to survive?

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.

Where do snowdrops grow best?

Plant snowdrops in moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer – a position in part shade is ideal, as they will receive some sunlight and rain in spring but have cover in the summer. A spot under the canopy of a deciduous tree is perfect. Snowdrops look fantastic in large drifts and naturalise well.

Is it too late to plant snowdrops?

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.

Will snowdrops grow through bark?

The coarser the bark the bark, the greater its weed suppression capacity. It's important to note that any established plants with strong shoots or bulbs, such as crocuses and snowdrops, will grow through as normal.

Can you grow snowdrops in pots?

Provided that a few crucial points are attended to, growing snowdrops in pots is a rewarding aspect of their ownership. Firstly, potted snowdrops need annual re-potting as they will exhaust the compost in a single growing season.

Can you plant snowdrops in May?

Snowdrops can either be planted during or just after flowering, while they are 'in the green' (before their leaves die back) in late winter or spring. Alternatively, they can be planted as dormant bulbs at the end of summer or in early autumn.

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.

Do snowdrops need a lot of water?

Snowdrops will thrive best in good loose soil, improved with compost or leaf-mould. They don't like waterlogged soil but due to their long roots will usually tolerate soil that is on the dry side in summer as long as it isn't completely dry or baked hard.

How do you encourage snowdrops?

If your soil is hungry, you can help to boost your snowdrops' performance by applying a slow release fertiliser in autumn and gently forking it in to the soil. Obviously, once the shoots appear this is much harder to do. Splitting the bulbs to prevent congestion will also improve the number of flowers in a clump.

Do snowdrops like sun or shade?

Snowdrops grow best in sun or part shade. Try planting them in groups under trees, around evergreens, or in pockets in any rock garden or perennial border. As with all spring bulbs, they need time in the ground to trigger new growth and flowering, and are best planted in fall.

What is the best month to plant snowdrops?

Plant your snowdrop bulbs as early as possible in August or September, 10-15cm (4-6in) deep and about 10cm (4in) apart. If you can't plant your bulbs in the early autumn, it is still possible to plant them in October & November.

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 the myth behind snowdrops?

History of Snowdrops

Snowdrops were also believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and were sometimes worn as amulets for protection. Snowdrop flower symbolism also dates back to a Moldovan legend in which the snowdrop flower was created in a battle between the Lady Spring and Winter Witch.

Are snowdrops endangered?

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

Why do snowdrops grow in graveyards?

They are therefore symbols of the afterlife, which explains the old folklore that taking them indoors brings death into the house and why they are often grown in graveyards (such as St Botolph's in Swyncombe, Oxfordshire).

Do snowdrops smell?

On a sunny day, snowdrops are highly scented and give off a honey smell. If you have enough plants the perfume will fill the garden.

What do snowdrops attract?

An easy to grow bulbous perennial, Snowdrops provide both a Nectar and Pollen source for bees and native pollinators in late winter and early spring when other food may still be very hard to find.