Galanthus in February 2018

[François Lambert]

The carpet of Galanthus in the garden is since one week again in full splendor.  The warm month of January has speeded them up.

but I have a question.  The clumps of Galanthus growing near the spruce trees seem to shrink every year (from left on the bedroom view pic).  Could it be that the needles falling from the trees have made the soil too acidic ?  And would it help then to sprinkle some lime on the soil.  I don't think shade is an issue, I have many clumps prospering in deeper shaded areas of the garden, but there they do not grow under conifers.  Your advise will be much appreciated.

[Leena]

I can't answer about spruce trees, but I just have to say that I love that last picture where your cat is walking among snowdrops.
Animals find their way around plants, and don't walk on them.

[Maggi Young]

Oh!  That's a cat? I thought it was a black panther!

[François Lambert]

Oh!  That's a cat? I thought it was a black panther!

If you look at my profile picture, the kitten on my shoulder, it's the same cat but about 7 year older now.  He walks around the snowdrops but he also loves to do his need in freshly planted flower pots :-(

[Shauney]

A nice rounded shaped nivalis flower with lovely ribbed outers. It's hard to show these in the pics and they look much better in real life. ( Luckily the birds didn't eat all the flowers before I discovered it! )

[David Lowndes]

The carpet of Galanthus in the garden is since one week again in full splendor.  The warm month of January has speeded them up.

but I have a question.  The clumps of Galanthus growing near the spruce trees seem to shrink every year (from left on the bedroom view pic).  Could it be that the needles falling from the trees have made the soil too acidic ?  And would it help then to sprinkle some lime on the soil.  I don't think shade is an issue, I have many clumps prospering in deeper shaded areas of the garden, but there they do not grow under conifers.  Your advise will be much appreciated.

Do you feed your snowdrops?  If not, competition for minerals could explain what is happening.  The snowdrops are having to compete with quite thick grass as well as the trees. Also, the moisture regime could be affecting them. Perhaps the soil near the spruce is too dry in the summer? Just some ideas.

[Mariette]

That is very pretty! I really like the small-flowered plants, and a well-balanced whole plant is more important than just flower size.

Proportions  are most important for me, be it small or large snowdrops. For instance, I like this one especially, due to it´s graceful habit.

[Jacek]

Do you feed your snowdrops?  If not, competition for minerals could explain what is happening.  The snowdrops are having to compete with quite thick grass as well as the trees. Also, the moisture regime could be affecting them. Perhaps the soil near the spruce is too dry in the summer? Just some ideas.

Francois,

I don't think acidity is an issue. Rather a complex shortage: sun, nutrients and water.

In lowland Central Europe, where I live, water shortage might be the central issue. We get only about 600 mm rain yearly and the soil is sandy. The spruces are effective water suckers year-round, they transpirate also in winter. Last but not least - their dense canopies prevent rain water and especially snow to penetrate down to the ground. I have two spruces in my garden and the soil below their canopies is constantly dry. Watering in early spring is difficult.

[Alan_b]

...The clumps of Galanthus growing near the spruce trees seem to shrink every year ...

Snowdrops and evergreens never seem to mix well.  Snowdrops don't mind a dry summer rest but when in leaf they need light and moisture.  I imagine that under or near fir trees it is too dark and too dry for them to thrive when in leaf.  They struggle to get enough energy to replenish themselves and will gradually die-out. 

[Jacek]

So many nice snowdrops in this thread, I've seen them all.

Here it is still winter, very mild though. So far no true deep freezing, almost no snow, absolute minimum temp about -10 C; no winter at all I would say. Today sun, 0 C, no snow.

I have only the most common snowdrops in my garden and now they are in their early stage that I like most. Despite my broken leg I decided to visit the garden and do some poor quality pictures.

My first love is G. nivalis flore pleno. I like the fat flower at any stage, but most at the very beginning, when thick white bud shows up in between the leaves. It also starts blooming earlier and ends later than plain G. nivalis




My second love is the plain nivalis. It is so elegant. Moreover, all my plants were "imported" from my neighbours for free.


My third love is G. elwesii - a mixture from cheap trade. Not only big but also hardy and proliferating well. Somewhat too early for our climate - always shows buds before true winter arrives. Despite that - survived the worst winters without damage so far.

[Jacek]

Not love at all - G. woronowii - from local garden center. I do not like the green leaves and the flowers are not elegant enough. On the top - it is not hardy enough. I observe some damage almost every year. Not this year as we are not having true winter, yet.


I also have a few named snowdrops - the old, cheaper ones. And G. plicatus - I'm not sure, I think it grows and blooms much later.

I like them all, but I am not a galanophile.

[Si_33]

'John Long'



I bought a couple of bulbs from Matt Bishop three or four years ago and it has been a great addition.

[Josh Nelson]

but I have a question.  The clumps of Galanthus growing near the spruce trees seem to shrink every year (from left on the bedroom view pic).  Could it be that the needles falling from the trees have made the soil too acidic ?  And would it help then to sprinkle some lime on the soil.  I don't think shade is an issue, I have many clumps prospering in deeper shaded areas of the garden, but there they do not grow under conifers.  Your advise will be much appreciated.

As others have said, it is most likely lack of moisture in the growing season; Galanthus and most woodland spring ephemerals are partners of deciduous trees and not conifers for this reason (and light although I think moisture is the issue here).  I'd relocate the snowdrops and perhaps try something like Cyclamen hederifolium, which may work better although I couldn't confirm that myself

[Josh Nelson]

Not love at all - G. woronowii - from local garden center. I do not like the green leaves and the flowers are not elegant enough. On the top - it is not hardy enough. I observe some damage almost every year. Not this year as we are not having true winter, yet.

At least your woronowii look to have good sized flowers; there are some much smaller flowered clones about and these look much better

[annew]

Dryad Gold Sovereign continues to light up the garden after more than a month in flower. The flowers are much larger than Primrose Warburg - Sovereign on the right, PW on the left.