Super Size Snowdrops for Spring’s First Sparkle.
Tulips, narcissi, hyacinths, snowdrops…. there are so many beautiful flower bulbs, and they all have their own charm and characteristics. In this blog series we would like to introduce you to a variety of them, helping you to make the best choices for your garden and grow the spring display of your dreams!
First signs of spring.
It’s not really spring yet, we’re still in that dark time after Christmas and New Year’s. The tree branches are bare and winter is in charge. But there are some subtle shifts… You notice that it gets dark just a little bit late. And hey, isn’t that a bird singing? You are walking through your neighborhood, looking at nothing in particular and all of a sudden you see the first snowdrops. Still shy and tiny, but unmistakably there. Like a rainbow after a thunderstorm they are both proof and promise: Spring will come again.
Royal Merits
Snowdrops come in many varieties, but here at DutchGrown we like the biggest, boldest and best, so we’ve opted for the Galanthus Elwesii, recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities.
Plant profile:
- Height
Galanthus grows up to 6 inches.
- Fragrance
Galanthus is fragrant, and is ideal for that first little mini bouquet in your kitchen or living room.
- Color
The little flower ‘bells’ are the purest white, but they have double green mark on the inner petals. The leaves are broad and silver grey, and bring to mind those of tulips.
- Bloom time
Of course it depends on your USDA zone, but in general Galanthus starts blooming in late winter, and graces gardens all the way through to early spring.
- Longevity
One of the great characteristics of Galanthus is that they are incredibly easy flower bulbs. Plant them once, and they will come back year after year (perennial) and they will often also multiply (naturalizing).
- Planting
Galanthus blooms best in USDA zones 3-8. As long as it’s well-drained, they don’t mind moist soil at all, they actually thrive in it. Pick a place that either gets full sun or partial shade, and once it’s fall, plant the Galanthus bulbs about 3 inches deep. Although they’re perfectly charming in small groups, why not experiment with growing a mass display? The contrast with the dark green and brown of your winter garden will be stunning. Galanthus is deer and rabbit resistant and will even bloom beneath a blanket of snow.
- Forcing
When you simply can’t wait, or want to brighten your holiday season with Galanthus, you can force them early. Plant the bulbs ½ inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart in a 6-inch pot. Water and store for 8-10 weeks in a fridge or garage where temperatures are between 35 and 45 degrees. Once you bring them to a warm and well-lit space, they will bloom after 2 to 3 weeks. When they’ve bloomed you can plant them outside again, and they will come up in spring for a second round.
- Container Planting
If you don’t have a garden, you can still get Galanthus’ spring sparkle. You’ll need a well-draining container that you fill with potting soil. Plant the bulbs about an inch apart, 2-3 inches deep, with the pointy ends facing up. Water well to settle the soil around the bulbs, and place the container in a spot that gets maximum sunlight, as Elwesii loves full sun.
- Pricing
DutchGrown is dedicated to giving you the best price for its high-quality flower bulbs. The price for Galanthus starts at $14.75 for 25 bulbs, but you can get up to 37% discount when you buy larger quantities, like $0.37 per bulb for 5000 bulbs.
- Combinations
Galanthus goes together very well with Eranthis Hyemalis (Winter Aconite), but also with Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow), Scilla (Squill) and of course Narcissi (Daffodil).
Want to get your flower bulb season off to a good start? Go to our easy to use website and order these stunning harbingers of spring now!
