Hardy snowdrops welcome longer days

I never used to take too much notice of snowdrops, popping through the frozen ground, heads bowed against the cold. They were something that had never graced my mom’s garden while I was growing up and subsequently never made it into my own until recently.

I have never been too successful with free styling bulbs, only when planting prepared tubs for my patio; and daffodils have always been my bulb of choice.

But as I’ve grown older, I look at those once dismissed plants with new eyes.I never knew there were so many different varieties of snowdrops, and how serious collectors are prepared to pay a lot of money for rare specimens. I now get down on their level and gently lift the downcast face to peer inside and marvel at the different colours and shapes with awe and wonder.

For many gardeners the snowdrop (Galanthus) signals the end of winter and welcomes longer days.

It’s a hardy little thing and can be relied on to flower very early whatever the weather.Galanthus grows best in heavier, moist soils and dappled shade.It is most successfully transplanted while growing in the green, the dry bulbs often take a season to settle down before flowering.

Personally, I’ve never had any luck bringing these to life. The clumps will benefit from being divided when the flowers have died down before the foliage disappears completely. They don’t have too many problems with diseases or pests but can be prone to mould and are a very good source of food for early pollinators.