The lame duck made me do it!

Last week's lame duck debacle in Wisconsin had me in need of serious distraction! Luckily, it arrived in the form of an e-mail from Carolyn's Shade Gardens in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Her message stood out like a beacon in a sea of breaking news updates that were too depressing to keep reading. Carolyn, on the other hand, was announcing the arrival of her 2019 Snowdrop Catalog.

 

Of course, I immediately clicked on it and placed an order! I would not call myself a "galanthophile," the name given to those who obsess and obsessively collect different varieties of snowdrops aka Galantus. But I am willing to admit that I love the lore and lure around plants like snowdrops and species Peonies that have a long history replete with fascinating stories.

 

You can buy easily buy the most common varieties of snowdrops out of season as bulbs like Tulips or Daffs. But they are one plant whose success is touted to buying them "in the green," meaning right after they've finished flowering. To do that, you need to live in the UK where this is a common practice or live near a grower in the States. OR find someone like Carolyn's Shade Gardens who sells snowdrops in the green at her nursery in the spring as well as on-line.

 

The plants I just ordered will come next spring after they've flowered in her nursery. Hopefully, it will be only a brief span between their arrival in the mail and when I can plant them out in my own garden. The timing is always a bit of a hit-or-miss proposition but so far it's worked for me, having placed my first order with Carolyn in 2014.

 

 

I have had good luck with the more reasonably-priced snowdrops like G. nivalis 'Viridapice,' G. woronoii and G. 'Magnet' (both photos above are my clumps of 'Magnet') but not much luck with any of the expensive yellow ones. This time I splurged on only one variety that should make a statement ('Johnathan' below), along with some guaranteed performers from Carolyn's stock (G. elwesii and G. nivalis).

 

I will plant them in my main flower bed that gets lots of early sun and has good soil and drainage. The only drawback is that it is the farthest from the house so I will definitely have to walk up to watch for them blooming. But they will be growing near my species Peonies which are equally early and always draw me out multiple times per day.

 

CAROLYN'S SHADE GARDENS PHOTO

 

"The Plant Lover's Guide to Snowdrops" by Naomi Slade is one of the plant-specific titles in the excellent Kew guide series. It is a good place to get information on these bulbs and how easy or difficult specific varieties are to grow, along with any quirky cultivation information. Carolyn Walker is one of the snowdrop lovers profiled in the book. 

Comments

[Peter/Outlaw]

You've mastered the most important part of splurging on plants; finding someone else to blame.:) Wishing you every success with your new purchases and new governor!

[Linda Brazill]

I'm sure I can blame the GOP for a lot of garden purchases this winter.

[Loree / danger garden]

Years ago I attended a small private party where galanthophile John Grimshaw spoke about his love of snowdrops. He almost hooked me, but I still don't have a single one in my garden.

[Linda Brazill]

I think you have to have my kind of winter where you are frantic for early flowers to fall for snowdrops. They are literally the first things that bloom here right when we are getting desperate for green.

[Kris P]

Peonies AND snowdrops! I am so envious.

[Nell]

Good thing I don't have an extra dime at the moment, or I'd be madly ordering a pair of 'Primrose Warburg'. A foot and a half of snow (when 3-4 inches was predicted), earliest-ever storm of this size here, plus the usual political irritations, makes me sure that I'll be longing for color by the time the winter aconites' bright yellow buds appear.
Last winter I read up on snowdrops, and the yellow kinds would make lovely companions for the Eranthis, but it would probably be a good idea to start with some inexpensive ordinary ones and see how they do. It could be another decade before 'PW' comes down to a reasonable price. Another "Pinterest garden"...

[Susan Adler Sobol]

Ah snowdrops! Towards the end of winter, when they make their first appearance they are a sign of hope and good things to come as the earth reawakens. After reading another ominous editorial about Wisconsin politics in the NYT this morning, the thought of snowdrops is refreshing!

[Amelia Grant]

Love it the GOP causing plant purchases! I am not sure if they are more appalling here in Florida or Wisconsin. I think you get the prize this time. Hopefully the Snowdrops make you feel better, they would for me.

[Susie]

Well those snowdrops are lovely Linda. It's a real treat to have early bloomers to help lift spirits and enjoy renewal.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I love me some snowdrops too no matter what the cause.

[rusty duck]

Marvellous. Snowdrops are one of the few things which make me feel better about going home. If the Brexit shenanigans continue the way they are going I may well be falling for some extra ‘specials’ too.