Snowdrops not come up:(

[stella]

I usually have some large clumps of snowdrops in the garden but this year only the odd 1 or 2 are showing. Has anyone else noticed this?

[veggiechicken]

Lots in the hedge banks in West Wales today and in my garden. This is from last week

[Peppermint]

I'd love to have some snowdrops. I've read somewher that they are best bought 'in the green' rather than as bulbs in bags. Last year I saw some snowdrop bulbs sold growing in pots (at the garden centre) would this be the best way to get them or has anyone had success buying them as bags of bulbs just like daffodils?

[veggiechicken]

The bigger clump in the middle of my photo were planted as bulbs, can't remember how many but not a lot - the others have self seeded nearby. I'd buy the growing ones in a pot from choice - then you know they're going to grow.

[VirginVegGrower]

Covered up here although they are late in my garden - all up but not burst into flower yet. After a few years they do die off. Maybe time for more? Mid to late Feb is usual time!

[Peppermint]

The bigger clump in the middle of my photo were planted as bulbs, can't remember how many but not a lot - the others have self seeded nearby. I'd buy the growing ones in a pot from choice - then you know they're going to grow.

Thank you VC, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they get them again this year. I have a small part of the garden that I'm planting with trees and I'd love to have a carpet of snowdrops each year. I might try some ordinary bulbs as well next year.

[veggiechicken]

That little bit of the lawn flowers in succession, snowdrops, crocus tommasiana, miniature daffs and narcissi and a few standard ones, then bluebells. It isn't cut until June, by which time the grass is really long - its under an apple tree too and quite shady. The little crocus spread well, they turn up in all sorts of unexpected places and look so cheerful when they open in the sun. They're recommended!!

[Peppermint]

That sounds wonderful and has given me lots of ideas. I bought daffodils and tulips this year, but next year it's snowdrops, and crocus. Thank you VC - you've given me lots to think about

[veggiechicken]

I'll take another photo in a few weeks time (if I remember) when the little daffs will be in flower. They're so cute, much nicer than the tall flamboyant ones in grass.

[yummersetter]

I've planted about 750 bulbs in the orchard over the past two years. Last year I put in 200 daffodils which were gorgeous so I added the same again plus fritillaries, tulips and crocuses. So far this year 5 daffodils have emerged. I'm crossing my fingers that underground creatures haven't eaten the lot, that they haven't all rotted in the muddy ground and that they're just waiting for warmer, dryer days. Bulbs in the garden are in leaf, but that's at the top of a slope where its warmer and better drained.

[stella]

My snowdrops are about 3 years old and they are the first bulbs to flower usually at the end of January. The leaves come first so I know the flowers are on the way. As I said just have a couple of stragglers this year. I think I remember reading somewhere about a snowdrop virus that wipes out all the bulbs......anyone heard anything about this or did I dream it ???

[VirginVegGrower]

Yes there has been talk of this recently, but can't find mention of it now. Three years is not long for a bulb. They best naturalise under grass although I have some in my border that the lady before me had planted - I've been here for fifteen years. Try lifting with a long sharp tool in an area that you know they were and see if the bulbs are dessicated/rotten.

[stella]

Thanks VVG I will do, all the other bulbs next to and around them have come up fine, like you I can not find mention of this virus now, but I remember reading it?

[bend1pa]

I've planted about 750 bulbs in the orchard over the past two years. Last year I put in 200 daffodils which were gorgeous so I added the same again plus fritillaries, tulips and crocuses. So far this year 5 daffodils have emerged. I'm crossing my fingers that underground creatures haven't eaten the lot, that they haven't all rotted in the muddy ground and that they're just waiting for warmer, dryer days. Bulbs in the garden are in leaf, but that's at the top of a slope where its warmer and better drained.

I planted about 40 minature Narcissi last October, Tete A Tete (the earliest), Jet Fire and Canaliculatus. All of the Tetes are up, many showing buds and they should start flowering next week which is early for them. Some of the Jet Fire are showing but no sign of flower buds. No sign of any Canaliculatus showing so far, but they're not due to flower until mid April. Some of my early tulips (Stresa) have their leaves up but no sign of flower buds yet, and others are just poking through the soil. Some Crocuses are already in bloom. It seems that bulbs are a bit early this year.

[Marcher]

I usually have some large clumps of snowdrops in the garden but this year only the odd 1 or 2 are showing. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yeah, they're a bit slow this year, they like a cold winter it seems.