I have a couple of very large clumps with extremely bulbous flower heads in my garden. They were planted by the previous owner, so I do not know the variety. They also flower late and bloom well into late March. This means that by the time the clumps are ready to divide it is April. And it is division that they are in desperate need of. That, and the fact that they are so beautiful, that I would like to create quite a few more clumps. April is such a busy time in the garden that I never seem to move onto to this task.
So this year when they started peeping their heads above the ground I decided to defy the experts advice. I would not wait until the bulbs had stopped flowering before I divided the clump, but would try to split now, quickly whilst the soil was not frozen. Armed with a large fork and long handled fork I dug down. Not an easy task as the bulbs were well over 12 inches into the soil. 4 bulbs were prised out of the ground. Unfortunately the stems also came off two of them.
I replanted the 4 bulbs. I think it is unlikely that the two still with stme will flower this year, but you never know. Hopefully all four will flower next year. So my task was accomplished. If you are trying this next year it would perhaps be easier with smaller snowdrop bulbs not planted quite so deep. Dividing the clumps with still be on my list of gardening tasks this April.
If you like to see large drifts of snowdrops then there is bound to be a open snowdrop garden close to you. My favourite site for finding one is National Gardens Scheme's Snowdrop Garden Openings. Openings usually take place in early to mid February. Half term fits neatly into this period so the children can get to see them as well.
If, like me, you live close to London the Chelsea Physic Garden has Snowdrop Days from 2 to 10th February. Thats where I'll be visiting. Hope you manage to visit one as well.
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