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If, like me, you love the sight of snowdrops in late Januaury and February when you're gasping for a hint of spring, now's the time to order snowdrops 'in the green', ditto native bluebells. Snowdrops rarely come up when you buy those packets in the garden centre because they don't like to dry out, in the green is far, far better. Sorry if I'm teaching grandma (or dad) to suck eggs but it annoys me that bulb suppliers sell those dried up things. It's important to make sure that supplies are from cultivated stock - again, sorry if you already know that, but wild snowdrops and bluebells are still dug up by the truckload for re-sale and that's very bad news.
Oh + aconoites, they do really well when moved in the green. I love any all spring bulbs. Going to move some in the next wee while!!
Found masses of daff bulbs lifted as they were about to flower + dumped in a layby in Aberdeenshire, around 8yrs ago. Don't think I've ever been so glad that I was early into recycling + using my own bags as I had lots in the car + filled them all with the bulbs ;-) They did take a while to plant, as I had a bootfull, but what a display next spring, in a up untill then rather grassy area of the garden!! Wonder what they look like now?
'In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks' John Muir.
Excuse wobbily dyslexic spelling!
Hi Kezsmum.
My wife and I love the sight of Snowdrops and Bluebells in the wild, we would love some in our garden.
So.... You can educate me, What do you mean by "in theGreen"?? and where could I order some from.
Thanks for any info.
Feed The Birds....not the cats!!!!
I know....my spelling's crap !!
Unknown said:So.... You can educate me, What do you mean by "in theGreen"?? and where could I order some from.
'In the green' means that they have been grown and have leaves in the case of snowdrops they may even have fading flowers still attached. Bluebells sent to you now may have been forced, because in nature, as you know, they don't flower until May. You can find suppliers on line by Googling Snowdrops in the green and you will find loads of suppliers, it's important that they assure you that they are from cultivated stock because they are dug up wholesale in Turkey (and here) in the wild and they are endangered - same goes for bluebells, Britain has the greatest stocks of wild bluebells in the world, so it's important that we care for them. As it is they are threatened by crossbreeding with Spanish bluebells - so when you order those make sure they're cultivated British stocks. I'd give you a link but I don't know how and Himself doesn't know how to do it with Microsoft, he uses Apple.
Hope that helps Big Robbo. I always plant some near the entrances I use to get into the house, I have some by the back door in a pot, because they cheer me up in the dark days of winter. I also plant them in shady parts of the garden and near hedges - they like a bit of leafmould and the slightly damp conditions you get in woodlands. We have sheets of snowdrops in the woods around here, gorgeous:-))
Excellent thank you for the info I will do a google search, And take your good advice on board.
Cheers.
Hope that you don't mind me adding some images to the thread but I took these on Sat in an ELothian woodland right by the road. Try to pass here annually to see this specticle. Love snowdrops!!
Hi Kezsmum
I didn't quite understand what 'in the green' meant until I read this thread, so thanks for explaining it. :-)
I saw some wild ones last weekend:
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
Ann S said:Hope that you don't mind me adding some images to the thread but I took these on Sat in - an ELothian woodland right by the road. Try to pass here annually to see this specticle. Love snowdrops!!
What a stunning display! The first time I saw a huge patch of snowdrops in the wild was in Scotland, I think I fell in love with them then, it was in a wood just outside of Dalbeattie, remember it to this day, mossy trees, little bridge and sheets of snowdrops - heaven.
Woodpecker, how nice I was able to help you for a change:-)) You've helped me a lot, more than you know probably, so it's nice to return the favour, if only in a small way.
Think maybe I'll get some for the bottom of the garden, if I can remember where I already have things planted that is! lol
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
I love to see the early bees feeding on the Snowdrops on a sunny day (which have been very few this year!).
I have found Snowdrops to be a bit particular as to where they will grow - no matter how many I move from the back of the garden (under a Lily of the Valley patch) to where I can see them (a herbaceous/ rose area), they all dwindle away to nothing over a few years. The 'wild' ones like to be cool in the summer and so need either moist or well shaded soil. As well as woodland they also seem to like living under the mown grass in alot of situations.
On our hot, dry lawn my sister planted some of what were meant to be Snowdrop 'Elwesii' but turned out to be something different, but are spreading quickly by seed and division.
The closest match I can find is 'Ikari', (I'm glad the weren't Elwesii as I have since found that they don't happy anywhere in my garden!)
The Daily Mirror was advertising "Snowdrops in the green" in todays paper. 50 for about a tenner or 100 for 20 quid with 50 extra for free.
Does this sound like a good deal to you and do you think they would be from cultivated stock ??
The small print states that the offer is supplied by J Parker Dutch Bulbs Ltd.
Thank you.
Rob