Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp reginae-olgae
An Autumn flowering snowdrop – the earliest snowdrop to appear and flower here, usually in October but sometimes as early at September and flowers for several weeks well into winter.
It has the unusual habit of the flowers appearing before the leaves, in fact the flowers are usually open before they appear.
Although it naturally occurs in the mountains of Greece, we find it is perfectly hardy here, occasionally poking through first snowfall in November. It doesn’t like prolonged winter wet, so we grow our in well drained soil in a sheltered area.
Given the correct conditions, it will multiply readily.
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.