Autumnal Snowdrops

Autumnal Snowdrops - In Greece and the adjacent countries several Snowdrops have been found which flower in the autumn or early winter. They seem to belong to the nivalis section. One peculiarity I have noticed in them is that they have a glaucous line running down the centre of each leaf, and by this they can be at once distinguished from the spring-flowering forms of nivalis. So far as I can learn, all these Snowdrops grow on high ground, mostly on mountains. I understand that the Snowdrops on the lower grounds do not flower until early in the year. Also See: Flowers

The Yellow Snowdrops form but a small class, two varieties only being known at present, G. lutescens and G. flavescens. It must not be supposed that the petals of the flower are yellow; the name is given because of the rich yellow color of the ovary, and the markings on the inner petals are also of that color, instead of the usual green, and even the flower-stalks are more yellow than green.

With me G. nivalis grows freely in all soils and situations. G. plicatus is not very particular, but still some of its varieties require extra care, as they have an unpleasant way of disappearing. G. Elwesi does not do well in close retentive soil. The situation I should choose would be a gently sloping bank, more or less shaded by trees whose roots were allowed to wander freely among the Snowdrops. I believe that all bulbs are healthier when planted amongst active roots than in ordinary beds. When the bulbs are at rest it is very essential that the soil should be kept sweet by the activity of other roots. We too often lose sight of this fact. I think the autumnal-flowering Snowdrops should be treated as alpine plants. All my best Snowdrops are grown under trees, the soil being quite full of their roots. I do not use manure for them.

Contents 1 Related Flowers 1.1 Autumnal Snowdrops Olgae 1.2 Autumnal Snowdrops Octobrensis 1.3 Autumnal Snowdrops Rachelae 1.4 Galanthus Plicatus 1.5 Galanthus Elwesi

Related Flowers

Autumnal Snowdrops Olgae

Autumnal Snowdrops Olgae - From the descriptions given of it, G. Olgae must be a fine variety, and it is very unfortunate that it is lost to cultivation. M. Tanka, the Hungarian botanist, asserts that this and G. octobrensis are identical, but I do not think so; and the difference between G. octobrensis and G. Rachelae confirms my opinion.

Autumnal Snowdrops Octobrensis

Autumnal Snowdrops Octobrensis - Lord Walsingham, when travelling in Albania about the year 1875, collected some bulbs on one of the mountains and sent them to the late Rev. H. Harpur-Crewe. Amongst these was a bulb which proved to be a Snowdrop flowering in the autumn, usually in October. I am sorry to say that it is somewhat delicate and increases very slowly with me.

Autumnal Snowdrops Rachelae

Autumnal Snowdrops Rachelae - This is of the same type as G. octobrensis, but the flower is a little larger, and the leaves are quite a third broader, and it seems to have a stronger constitution than that variety. It also differs in being a week or ten days later in flowering.

Galanthus Plicatus

Galanthus Plicatus - Is very distinct, and in its best forms of great beauty. The foremost place in this section belongs to G. p. maximus. G. plicatus usually flowers late, but I have a selected form, G. p. pracox, which flowers with the early varieties of G. nivalis. Another selected form, G. p. Omega, flowers with the very latest.

Galanthus Elwesi

Galanthus Elwesi - The best forms of this are large and handsome, but it wants the most sheltered spots in the garden to thrive. Many find it difficult to manage, but with me it grows very freely, especially on one bed of very light soil, where the seedlings are almost a nuisance.