How to grow and split snowdrops in the UK

Описание: Snowdrops are such cheerful little flowers, loaded with bright orange pollen for early bees. They will happily grow in grass, under hedges, in shade, and under deciduous trees. I have them growing in all different environments in our garden, and they seem to thrive in all of them. From my unscientific observations, those growing in open, leafmould rich soil are quickest to spread - they do this by seed and by bulb - a double win! The ones growing in the grass are very happy, but don’t bulk up as quickly due to the competition for water and nutrients from the grass.

To spread your snowdrops, or to give the best of presents to a friend, simply dig up a clump, being careful to keep the bulbs attached to the foliage, and gently pull it apart, into several smaller clumps. The moment to do this is after they have flowered, though it is still successful before they’ve flowered, they just look a bit wonky for their flowering period!

To start growing snowdrops, it is best to buy some mail order ‘in the green’. They are expensive little beauties, but they will increase over time. Alternatively, beg a clump from a friend, and you’ll think of that friend every February when they start to grow! My birthday is in February, and every year I ask for snowdrops - the garden is full of them now 😊.

This method works equally well for alliums, crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths. I prefer this to autumn planting as you can see exactly where they will flower, and how they will interact with other things that are also in flower at that time.

Happy splitting!