Snowdrops and other Spring Bulbs in Alberta , Canada ?

[Maggi Young]

Hello, Galanthophiles.... particularly you Canadian Folks.... this query just in.....

"Good morning.

I would like to ask on behalf of my cousin in Canada whether snowdrops would grow and survive in Alberta Canada or any other Spring bulb?

Could you recommend a book on growing plants in that particular part of Canada.

Thank you very much, your information would be most useful.

Best regards,

Heather Michie."

[Lori S.]

Yes, snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) survive in Alberta, though after months of snow, the effect of little white flowers seems much less cheerful than it does in warmer places.  Also, they tend to be much smaller, shorter plants than they are in warmer climates (i.e. not the magnificent billowing drifts of them that we see on this forum, or on the West Coast).
Crocuses, grape hyacinths, puschkinias, scillas and chionodoxa are also hardy, easy to grow and readily available... and provide much-appreciated colour!  
Tulips and daffodils are also hardy, easy to grow and available.  Tulips, particularly the new-fangled varieties, can be short-lived, lasting only 2-3 years.  Daffodils, however, are very long-lived and form generous clumps in time.
Iris reticulata is hardy and easy to grow.  Iris danfordiae seems a bit fussier.
Spring-blooming ornamental onions - e.g. Allium moly , A. ostrowskianum - also naturalize well.

Books:
Best Bulbs for the Prairies - Leatherbarrow and Reynolds
Bulbs - Jim Hole
Lois Hole's Favorite Bulbs - L. Hole
Gardening series by Lois Hole; equivalent by Jim Hole
The Calgary Gardener, I and II - Leatherbarrow and Reynolds
Various books by Sara Williams
Various books by Donna Balzer
Gardening on the Prairies - Vick
Northern Gardening - Andrews
Etc.
Anyway, there is no shortage of locally-written books on gardening.  (Get thee to a library!  )

[johnw]

Hello, Galanthophiles.... particularly you Canadian Folks.... this query just in.....

"Good morning.

I would like to ask on behalf of my cousin in Canada whether snowdrops would grow and survive in Alberta Canada or any other Spring bulb?

Could you recommend a book on growing plants in that particular part of Canada.

Thank you very much, your information would be most useful.

Best regards,

Heather Michie."

I do recall an article or posting from someone that suggested that Galanthus would not survive past a certain latitude in Scandinavia (coast excluded of course).  Was it Sweden or Norway and but more importantly why, as it can't be any colder than Alberta?

johnw

[Lori S.]

They give me no joy but they are hardy.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I guess I can understand why you don't get excited seeing a little white flower appear after 6 months of snow Lori...