Snowdrops are a highlight of the winter garden, and look especially beautiful when planted in large drifts. While they can be planted as dry bulbs in autumn, or bought as plants in flower from the garden centre in late winter, they are best planted 'in the green' (in leaf) in March. They will establish more quickly and reliably this way.
Read our full guide to growing snowdrops.
Planting snowdrops in the green is an excellent way to establish masses of these beautiful late winter flowers cheaply. They look beautiful planted with pink Cyclamen coum or yellow aconites, which flower at around the same time. Snowdrops are usually ordered online or by mail order from specialist bulb suppliers.
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What are snowdrops in the green?
Why plant snowdrops in the green?
When to buy snowdrops in the green
How to plant snowdrops in the green
Where to buy snowdrops in the green
Everything you need to know about planting snowdrops in the green
What are snowdrops in the green?
Snowdrops in the green are plants that have been dug up after they have flowered, in leaf, for planting immediately. They are usually pre-ordered in January and sent out in February or March.
Snowdrops in the green are usually sold in bundles of 25 up to 1,000, and the more you buy, the cheaper they are.
Snowdrops sold for planting in the green are usually two commonly available types – Galanthus nivalis (with single flowers) and Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' (with double flowers). You may also come across the larger Galanthus elwesii.
Other more sought-after cultivars are sold in the green, but not in large quantities. If you are looking for an unusual snowdrop variety (some cultivars can fetch very high prices), you are better off visiting a specialist online supplier, snowdrop fair or even eBay – in 2022, a single snowdrop bulb sold for a record-busting £1,850.
Aconites, bluebells and lily of the valley, wood anemones and wild garlic can also be planted in the green. All bulbs in the green need to be planted as soon as they arrive so that they don't dry out.
Why plant snowdrops in the green?
The main reason for planting snowdrops in the green is to give the plants time to establish before they come into flower again the following winter. Dry snowdrop bulbs do not keep well and are prone to drying out or rotting. Another benefit is that it's easy to identify exactly where you want to plant your snowdrops, and you'll be able to see exactly where they are – if you plant the tiny dry bulbs in autumn, it's very easy to forget where you planted them, risking them being dug up accidentally. It's also a very economical way of planting them - while a single small pot of snowdrops can cost around £10 at the garden centre in February, a bundle of around 25 bulbs in the green costs around the same amount, and the more you buy, the cheaper they become.
When to buy snowdrops in the green
Snowdrops in the green are usually available to pre-order online or by mail order in January (sought-after varieties may sell out) and are sent out in February or March.
How to plant snowdrops in the green
- Plant your snowdrops in the green as soon as possible; if you can't do it straightaway, sprinkle them with a little water to keep them moist.
- Choose a semi-shaded spot that doesn't dry out in summer – under a deciduous tree is ideal.
- Enrich the soil a little if needed, by adding some homemade compost or leaf mould.
- The snowdrops come in a bundle – separate them out into their separate bulbs and stems.
- Plant each snowdrop individually, at the same depth as it was growing before – the white part of the stem should be underground. Space the plants at least 10cm apart, but don't be too rigid about this – you want them to look natural. Use a trowel, small dibber or small bulb planter.
- Once clumps are established in a few years, you can then lift and divide them after flowering and transplant them around the garden.
Where to buy snowdrops in the green
Snowdrops in the green are usually available from specialist bulb suppliers.
Boston Bulbs
Offers three types of snowdrop in the green for sale – Galanthus nivalis, Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' and the larger Galanthus elwesii – in bundles of 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000.
www.bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk
Gee Tee Bulbs
Sells Galanthus nivalis, Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' and Galanthus elwesii in packs of 50.
Peter Nyssen
This respected bulb supplier sells two types of snowdrop in the green, Galanthus nivalis and Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' in bundles of 50 or 250.
Landlife Wildflowers
Sells Galanthus nivalis in bundles of 25, 100, 250 and 1,000.
J. Parker's
Sells Galanthus nivalis in packs of 15.
Sarah Raven
Sells Galanthus nivalis in the green, in bundles of 25, 50 and 100.
Ashridge Trees
Sells Galanthus nivalis in bundles of 25.