So normally my earliest of springtime posts build and build to a crescendo of oversharing of snowdrop photos and snowdrop stories… but not so much this year. We were locked in winter from December on through to the very last days of February, and it was just by good fortune or blessing that snowdrops were up and close enough to flowering to look presentable for sale at the Galanthus Gala on the 28th. But the garden was a different story, and far from presentable. March 1st had most of the snow melted and cleanup began immediately. Trimming and raking in a cold wind, trimming hellebores and unburying winter aconite in snow squalls. Tylenol and Motrin for winter-lazy knees and back. It all had to happen in just a few days because we went from tundra to short sleeve weather faster than ever. Things sprouted overnight and were in bloom by the afternoon. It was all too much of a rush.
One of the world’s favorite snowdrops, ‘S Arnott’ is sturdy and fragrant and pretty much perfect.
I was away on the next weekend, and in a way it was sad since the weather was nice enough to spend a whole day just poking around and sitting around and taking it all in, but I did make an excellent trade. There was a tour of several wonderful snowdrop+ gardens in the DC area and the plants were at a peak and the touring company was an A-list group of galanthophiles and the snowdrop-curious.
From a few scattered plantings, the winter aconite (Eranthis hiemalis) and snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are finally beginning to make a show along the street.
Back at home the weather continued to warm. Nine days after the Gala everything had come into bloom and it was the fastest season I can recall. That Tuesday was beautiful and I raced home for most of these pictures and to just have some time to sit around and watch the flowers sway in the breeze, listen to the bees, and just take in the sights and scents of springtime bloom returned.
Even in the back garden some of the snowdrop singletons have finally become patches, and Begonia House doesn’t even look as squalid as usual.
But then over the next two days it became warmer and warmer still. June weather. Snowdrops find June weather to be exhausting and a sunny, nearly 80F (26C) day put many over the edge even if it did make for a good strolling day. Except for the storms which followed. Punishing downpours and wind for most of the night, followed by cold. Snowdrops can handle a good deal of weather but this was pushing it.
I love the Irish snowdrop ‘Kildare’. Such a nice form with green lines tracing down the outers, he’s a real beauty but never sells well because he looks floppy and anemic in a pot. I’ve noticed one or two other favorites do that, perhaps they’re offended to think I’m abandoning them to the sales table…
Just over a week into snowdrop season and it felt like it was over. Cold weather returned, more grey skies and the garden had that drowned rat look to it… but let’s look at a bunch of favorites from this year before we talk about wet rodents and such.
Yeah in spite of not wanting to like him, ‘Trumps’ keeps putting on a better show each year. Nice markings on an interesting pagoda-shaped bloom and a good grower as well.
I’m fortunate to have a spot which ‘Rosemary Burnham’ does well in and glad to be able to show off the patch even though she’s a little faded from the sun. Last year she didn’t look as good, so this spring was a relief!
I was somewhat whiny and offended last year when I dug a few bulbs of ‘Bloomer’ for the Gala table and they didn’t sell. Maybe my price was more the reason since I possibly didn’t want to part with them because it’s also a favorite drop.
‘Mother Goose’ is one of the drops which I dreamed of growing for years before finally tracking down and fitting into the budget. I’m quite happy with the golden inners.
A snowdrop with more of an apricot inner, ‘Shorbuser Irrlicht’ has a glow which I did not think I’d like when I saw some of the first photos. I thought it looked a little muddy or faded, but in person? It’s delightful!!
Oh, it’s not all snowdrops. Here’s a double Eranthis hiemalis ‘Gothengurg’ which I like a lot. Not a sheet of color-showy, but cool regardless.
‘Midas’ has golden inners matched with bright gold on the outers. A fine drop even if the outers fade faster than I’d like… but when it’s good, it’s great!
The snowdrop ‘Cliff Curtis’ is another favorite from year to year. A subtle smudge of faint green with two darker dots inside are the kind of details snowdrop weirdos love to go on about.
Galanthus ‘Magnet’ in front, and ‘Not Magnet’ behind. I think they look the same but was informed the one is not the true ‘Magnet’, so of course I had to get another from somewhere else, and now I’m sure they will tell me both are wrong. Oh the weirdos at it again.
Tuesday, March 9th was likely the peak of the snowdrops, or at least the peak of me being able to enjoy them. Wednesday was a late night and then the weather went downhill thereafter. The following weekend I went pansy shopping with friends and only forced them on a brief snowdrop tour in the cold, downtrodden garden beforehand. They claimed it was still full of snowdrops but it all looked hungover from the heat and cold and storms and I was not having it. Sunday was a little warmer. I’ll post a few more photos, and I’m still of course pleased it’s snowdrop season, but don’t fear the avalanche of endless identical photos filling this blog with white and more white since it’s not happening this year.
Have an excellent week regardless, and don’t let my gloom dampen the joy which is yet to come!
sorta like suburbia 