Galanthus nivalis Berthille
A quirky and extremely rare snowdrop.
We were lucky to obtain a couple of bulbs in 2014 from Blandine’s garden, and although initially slow to increase, now seem well established and bilking up nicely – the time has come to split them as it was filling it’s basket.
The photos show the original plants we bought, and clearly show the strange additional inner segments that drop down lower than the main inner segments, like some strange lamp shade – sadly I forgot to take photos of my plants earlier this year, but about 90% show this strange habit, it is presumed the ones that did not were immature bulbs.
Usually flowers in late February and early March.
What will you receive?
Depending on the time of year, you will receive either a:dormant bulbs, b:newly sprouting bulbs, c:snowdrops in flower, d:snowdrops “in the green”
The snowdrop is currently growing in its own pot and may or may not have bulb-lets attached, we do not separate these off – they will be included with the main bulb.
All bulbs will have the compost washed off prior to posting – this minimises damage in posting and reduces weight so we can keep postage costs low.
Flowering bulbs and bulbs “in the green” will be wrapped in damp tissue/kitchen roll and plastic film, then boxed – dormant bulbs are packed in damp vermiculite.
Please pot up or plant out as soon as you receive it.
Planting Tips
Dig a hole to the depth that the bulb was previous planted (where the leaves change from white to green) or slightly deeper, pop in the bulb, and firm the soil back around the bulb to ensure no air-pockets.
If your soil is prone to water logging incorporate plenty of grit or sand to the area around the bulbs as well as the planting hole.
If your soil is sandy and exceptionally free draining then mix leaf-mould or compost into the area around the bulbs as well as the planting hole.
If your borders are visited regularly by voles or moles, then we recommend planting in pond baskets so that the bulbs are neither lifted onto the surface of the soil, or buried too deep by their soil excavating habits.
