Snowdrops are among the most beautiful spring messengers that enchant with their delicate flowers. But what happens when the flowering period is over? How do you maintain them correctly so that they drive out powerfully again next year? In this article you will find the best tips for care, multiplication and location choice so that your snowdrops bloom every year again.
When do snowdrops bloom?
The main flowering period of the snowdrops (Galanthus) is between January and March. They belong to the first messengers of spring and often drive through the snow. You can appear in particularly mild winters in December. In colder regions, snowdrops only develop their white flowers in February or March.
There are many types of snowdrops-some like the early flowering snowdrop (Galanthus Reginae-Olgae) and the large snowdrop (Galanthus Elwesii)bloom earlier, others like the filled snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis' flore pleno‘)And the Siberian snowdrop (Galanthus Transcaucasicus) later.
The location also affects its heyday. Snowdrops prefer semi -shaded places with loose, humus -rich soil.
How long does the flowering period take?
Individual flowers last about 2–3 weeks, while the entire flowering period can extend over several months.
However, the duration of the flowering period depends on various factors such as weather and location. Low temperatures extend the flowering period while warm days shorten them. Snow even protects snowdrops and can extend their heyday. Heat makes the flowers withdrawal faster.
A partially shaded, damp location ensures a longer heyday. A humus -rich soil keeps the moisture and promotes a long flower. In contrast, the flowering period shortens dry or sunny.
These care errors can prevent the bloom of your snowdrops!
How can you extend the flowering period?
In the following we present some measures that will help you extend the heyday of the snowdrops.
First of all, we recommend that you combine different types and varieties. A clever mix of early and late flowering species can be stretched from October to April.
As already mentioned, snowdrops prefer a partially shaded, damp location. Too much sun shortens the flowering period because the plants interact faster. Wetter, humus -rich soil, on the other hand, helps the snowdrop to stay fresh longer. They feel particularly comfortable under deciduous shrubs or trees because they get enough light in spring, but are protected in summer.
Proper care after flowering is also crucial for a longer heyday. We will reveal what to consider in the next section.
Snowdrop care after flowering: What do you have to consider?
So that snowdrops bloom vigorously and for a long time next year, the correct care after flowering is of crucial importance. Here we have put together the most important measures that extend and improve the flowering period in the coming years.
- Don't cut off the leaves!After flowering, the plant withdraw nutrients from the leaves into the onion. If you cut off the leaves, prevent the onion from strengthening.
Tip: To hide the dying leaves, you can do snowdrops with later dying perennials such asRadioiaOr combine ferns.
- Maintain the floor after flowering!The floor should be slightly moist. A thin layer of leaves keeps the earth moist and protects against drying out. Only pour in extreme drought!
- Easy fertilization can be helpful!Fertilize immediately after flowering with organic fertilizers such as compost, horn shavings or diluted nettle yaes. So your snowdrops will bloom lush again next year.
- Promote the snowdropping increase!After the flower, snowdrops form seed capsules. Let these capsules stripped out. So the plant can multiply by itself. Ants also help with the spread because they further distribute the seeds.
- Implement snowdrops at the right time!The best time for this is after flowering, but still with leaves. If you want to put the snowdrops in a new place, wait until the flowers have faded, but the leaves are still green. Carefully dig small groups of onions. Separate daughter onions if necessary. Put it immediately to the new location, approx. 8–10 cm deep. Pour the floor well. However, make sure that there are no waterlogging.
