I have a tiny courtyard garden that doesn't receive direct sunlight in winter but gets plenty of sun in spring and summer. I'm wondering if I can successfully plant snowdrop bulbs here and if they'll thrive. I've got a few bulbs and would love to see them flourish everywhere!
3 Answers
Snowdrops are originally woodland plants, so they might just thrive in your shady conditions! But, they're tricky to grow from bulbs since they dry out fast. It's best to plant them right away if you haven’t yet. Ideally, you want to plant them 'in the green,' which means getting them when they’ve just finished blooming in early spring with green leaves still attached. Maybe you could snag some from a neighbor or find a local supplier next year? Don’t forget, you could also try other woodland plants like cyclamen, primroses, and bluebells which tend to do well in similar conditions.
Yes, absolutely! I have snowdrops in my own north-facing garden, and they come up reliably each year. Besides snowdrops, I also grow daffodils, crocuses, and bluebells—all of which bloom at different times. It’s really beautiful when everything starts to flower throughout the seasons.
That sounds amazing! I love the idea of those blooms coming up! How do your snowdrops do with the shade?
You’d probably be just fine! Snowdrops can actually handle shadier spots quite well. My north-facing garden is pretty dark in winter, but the snowdrops still peek through as everything else looks lifeless. It’s a lovely sight!
That’s good to know! Did you plant them from bulbs? I’ve heard that plant them in the green works best.
Thanks for the tips! I planted some primroses in spring and they’ve done well all summer long. I also have cyclamen, but I really want those snowdrops sprouting next spring.