Snow Drop Type?

[Jenmuscat]

Hi new to this, found a little clump of odd but very pretty snow drops in my garden. Rather large with beautiful petals which have perfect green dots on both the inner and outer petal, inside orange strands. Live on the East coast of Scotland and lots of snowdrops in the garden but nothing like this. Any help to identify would be much appreciated. Thanks

[arisaema]

Leucojum vernum - much nicer than any Galanthus I've seen... 

[Jenmuscat]

Oh thanks, is it unusual or quite common?

[arisaema]

It's common here in Norway at least, so I would assume it is in Scotland as well... It's a favourite of mine, they smell of spring.

[Maggi Young]

Hello Jen, good to have you join us.  

Your lovely flowers are not in fact snowdrops.... but snowflakes - Leucojum vernum
There are summer versions ar well.

These snowflakes grow taller than most snowdrops and have, as you describe , these beautiful  flowers with quite stiff "skirts" and pretty markings. These can be in green or yellow.

They various Leucojum species are native to Europe, the Middle east and North Africa. Several will do well in the UK, but the spring and summer snowflakes ( the larger of the species) seem to enjoy life in Britain and do very well in many Scottish gardens.  As clumps become congested it is a good idea to divide them every few years and spread them around a bit.

I'd say it is not exactly common..... but clever gardeners have it.... 

[Jenmuscat]

Oh thanks guys, do I split them after flowering, ie just dig up and re-plant? garden a new project here, were are on a coastal property right on the banks of the river Tay North facing, so just finding my feet on what will grow and what wont. Left the garden for a couple of seasons to see what comes through, and as I say these just appeared, and are beautiful. Thanks so much for your help. Jenny

[Maggi Young]

Not immediately after flowering, Jen... leave the leaves to grow and begin to yellow a bit first.

There are two SRGC Groups that you could visit the meetings of.......
The Fife Group,
http://www.srgc.org.uk/localgroups/fifelectures.pdf
"Meetings are usually held in the St. Andrews Episcopal Church Hall, Queens Terrace, St. Andrews at 7.30 pm
Admission £2 per person.
All Members and Guests welcome"

The next meeting is this coming Tuesday! 

Tuesday 21st February 2012
“Bhutan Revisited”
Julia Corden, Pitlochry


Then there is the Angus Group, meeting in Dundee....

http://www.srgc.org.uk/localgroups/anguslectures.pdf


Cheers,
 M

[johnw]

much nicer than any Galanthus I've seen...

Well maybe that blue one....

johnw

[Anthony Darby]

It's common here in Norway at least, so I would assume it is in Scotland as well... It's a favourite of mine, they smell of spring.

Not found wild in Scotland. Flowers of this species are all the same, except some varieties have yellow instead of green.