Broadleigh Gardens have one of the largest ranges of snowdrops. 
Click here to see our current offers.

Snowdrops, or Galanthus to give them their correct name, are the classic winter flowering plant, loved by everyone. When the snowdrops flower can spring be far behind?

They are fully hardy and even have especially hardened tips to push through snow. However for such a popular plant they can be remarkably temperamental to grow – thriving in some soils but declining in others. If you have not tried to grow them before it is best to start with one of the easiest – G nivalis – the ‘common’ single or G Atkinsii, a vigorous tall variety. Once you have established these successfully then you can try one of the more unusual varieties, but be warned – you could become hooked and it is an expensive, if very rewarding hobby! You will find many fellow Galanthophiles.

Snowdrops like a moist soil with plenty of humus. They do not like hot, dry positions preferring part shade. They are good among shrubs.

How, you might ask, can there be so many different snowdrops – they all look alike to me? Let us start with the obvious differences.

1. nivalis – the so called common snowdrop. This is not a native at all but was introduced to Britain in the 17^th Century having made its way up through Europe from Italy. It is very vigorous and likes to grow in light woodland. Its leaves are slender, grey-green. It does not seed and must be lifted and divided to increase it.

2. elwesii – the Giant or Turkish snowdrop. As its name implies it originates in Turkey and likes a dry place in the garden - tucked at the base of a tree for instance. If it is happy it may seed. It has tall, broad grey leaves. 

3. plicatus – this comes from the Crimea and is easily grown, often seeding to form large patches. Again it is good under trees. Its name means folded and the leaves have 2 folds along the edges and often a silver central stripe. The leaves are very variable, from greenish-grey to blue–grey. 

4. woronowii comes from the Caucasus and belongs to a group of snowdrops with green leaves.

b. Flowers: The flowers are all very similar and either single or double but the main differences are the number, location and colour of the green markings. They can be very small, very large, twin or even triple marks, sometimes on the outer petals and in rare snowdrops not green at all but yellow.

1. Avoid planting single bulbs – they are much happier in company! Small groups are best.

2. Lift established clumps after flowering, split the clump in 2, replanting half back. Divide the remainder again and make 2 new clumps. Do this every other year. Congested clumps will eventually fail to flower.

3. Make sure that neighbouring plants are not smothering the snowdrops, either with their roots are their leaves. Move the snowdrops to a new location if necessary.

4. Snowdrops can be planted either in the autumn as dormant bulbs – make sure that they are freshly lifted and not hanging around in a hot garden center as they have a very short ‘shelf’ life, or as bulbs in growth which are moved in the spring just after flowering.

1. Broadleigh Gardens, Taunton – our collection is in a garden setting.

2. Colesbourne Manor, Gloucestershire – a magnificent collection in a woodland setting.

3. Rode Hall, Scholar Green, Cheshire – A good display in a historic garden. House open.

4. Hodsock Priory, Worksop, Notts – a fantastic winter garden with a fine collection of snowdrops and other winter flowering plants.