Snowdrops - who doesn't know them, these well-known early bloomers? Gracefully they peek up from a blanket of snow, shine out from the edge of the wood and announce the spring. But when it comes to planting… What should be considered here?

What is the best planting time?

The ideal time for planting snowdrops is in the fall. The bulbs can be planted in the ground from August. Planting should be completed by November at the latest.

What should be considered when choosing a location?

Basically, snowdrops are undemanding by nature. They prefer to grow in a sunny to partially shaded location. Some species attach great importance to a sheltered position in order to be able to hold their heads up better.

What should the soil be like?

Any normal garden soil is suitable for snowdrops. It shouldn't just be heavy and compact. Snowdrops need a well-drained substrate that is not prone to waterlogging. Furthermore, they are happy about a soil with the following characteristics:

  • medium to high nutrient content
  • medium humus content
  • moderate humidity
  • slightly alkaline to neutral pH

How are snowdrop bulbs planted?

It is not difficult to plant snowdrops. Bulbs can be bought at hardware stores, garden centers, online, and some supermarkets. They are placed 10 cm deep in the ground. When planting several bulbs, there should be a distance of at least 5 cm between them.

How to propagate snowdrops

Snowdrops are easy to propagate. Most gardeners propagate snowdrops in the spring after they have bloomed. After flowering, the bulbs form daughter bulbs, which are used for propagation. The daughter bulbs are smaller and usually bloom from next spring.

Sowing is less common. These plants like to spread by self-seeding. If you want to tackle the seed in a targeted manner, you should note the following:

  • Seeds are cold germs (-4 to 4 °C)
  • Seeds are dark germinating (sow 1 cm below the soil surface)
  • keep soil moistured
  • Germination time: 2 to 4 weeks

When do snowdrops bloom?

Most snowdrops bloom in January. By February at the latest, they will be sticking their heads out of the ground and remain present until March. Some cultivars bloom into April. The wild species, on the other hand, can be present as early as October.

Which plant neighbors are suitable for snowdrops?

Whether on the edge of a tree, on the lawn or in a perennial bed - snowdrops look best in groups. They shine enchantingly under hazelnut bushes and witch hazel bushes. They are also not to be overlooked in the midst of ground covers such as periwinkle and ivy.

But snowdrops also come into their own alongside other early bloomers. Good plant neighbors that flower at the same time include:

  • winterlings
  • crocuses
  • wild tulips
  • squills
  • liverwort
  • daffodils
  • christmas roses

tips and tricks

Snowdrops usually tolerate transplanting well if done properly. They should be dug up in February or March. At the same time, it is worth separating them in order to then replant them.

Category:

Herbs