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How to grow snowdrops

in Home : Projects: Planting

You will need

  • Snowdrops
  • Garden fork or spade
Do it: February - March
Takes just: 30 minutes for a good-sized clump

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Overview

Snowdrops transplant well when they are in leaf and even in flower and the bulbs can also be divided at the same time - a method known as 'in the green'. You can then replant new clumps of snowdrops in other places around the garden; it's a simple way of making more of these beautiful flowers.

How to do it

Snowdrops - lifting clumps

1Use a garden fork or spade to lift clumps of snowdrops. Dig deeply all round the clump, before levering it out in order to get down to the bulbs.

Dividing clump of snowdrops by hand

2Divide the snowdrop clumps by tearing them apart. This can be done when they are in leaf or even in flower. Pick off flowerheads to conserve the energy in the bulbs.

Snowdrops - planting small divided clump

3Use a hand trowel to replant small clumps of six to eight bulbs. Make the hole 10cm - 15cm deep and place the bulbs at the base of the hole. Fill around the bulbs with soil taken from the hole, ensuring that some of the leaf is above the surface.

Adam's tip

Don't remove the leaves from your snowdrop bulbs. Leave them to die down naturally as this will allow next year's flower buds to form inside.

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Talkback: How to grow snowdrops
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kaycurtis 24/11/2011 at 15:27

it's good that you mention not to take the leaves off as a lot of people would do this and wonder why they have no flowers the following year.

terraloony1 24/11/2011 at 15:27

Very useful item, my snowdrops are really bunched up