Snow-white snowdrop flower - the first messenger of Spring. Snowdrops - miniature bells in thawed patches What is the nature of a flower of snowdrops

The adorable snow-white snowdrop is the first to please the eye with its truly winter severity and touching tenderness. Spring has not yet become a full-fledged mistress of its possessions and a white fluffy veil covers the ground, and a small fragile flower is already fighting for a warm ray of sun. The legendary “tears of Eve” remind us of the lost paradise and fill our hearts with a vague sense of pristine beauty.

Growing area

The snowdrop, whose Latin name is "galanthus", which means "milk flower", belongs to the amaryllis family, which includes eighteen species and two natural hybrids. As a perennial herb with a bulbous root, the snowdrop appears in early spring and lives no more than four weeks. The height of the stem reaches thirty centimeters, different subspecies differ in the shape and size of the corolla.

Snowdrops grow in the forests of Central and Southern Europe, as well as in Turkey and the shores of the Caspian and Black Seas. Flowers prefer areas that are accessible to sunlight, although they can grow in the shade. However, they do not tolerate places near swamps or springs with stagnant waters. They are not demanding on the composition of the soil, subzero temperatures stand firmly. With a lack of moisture, flowering slows down, therefore, in an artificial environment, galanthus needs additional watering.

The plant has a gracefully shaped white corolla with three long outer petals and three short inner ones. At the very edge of the petals there are barely noticeable green spots. On a low flexible stem, there are several narrow dark green or grayish leaves. Only one flower grows from one small-diameter bulb.

Popular varieties

Of the twelve species of snowdrop growing on the territory of the post-Soviet space, the most common are:

Snowdrop Elvis. A species with rather large rounded flowers, native to Asia Minor. The stem can be up to twenty centimeters in height. The leaves have a pleasant bluish tint.
Snowdrop is snowy. The flowering period is the second half of March, it grows in wooded areas throughout Europe. Has a small rim with a cut in comparison with other types. The height of the stem is from ten to fifteen centimeters, the leaves are pale green with a grayish tint.
Snowdrop is snow-white. The most common species, with more than fifty subspecies and the longest flowering period. WITH inside the fragrant corolla is decorated with yellow spots. The length of the stem is on average ten centimeters, the leaves are gray-gray, keeled from below, covered with a waxy bloom.

Under the "red" protection

Being the first spring flower, forest snowdrop annually suffers from the excessive manifestation of human love. Longing for the green charm of nature, people mercilessly pluck all the specimens they come across, often not even leaving a bulb. The "cleansing" of blooming islands reaches a special scale during the spring holidays.
Such a negligent attitude towards the plant world led to the fact that Galanthus quickly joined the list of endangered species. Now the flower is listed in the Red Book and is under state protection... Environmental legislation provides for liability for unauthorized actions leading to the death of the population of snowdrops.

The Red Book contains detailed description rare species of galanthus with indication external structure and features of vegetative reproduction.

In accordance with the provisions of the permanent Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the joint efforts of almost all countries of the world are actively working to restore the plant population and develop effective measures for its protection.

In the Red Book, you can also find a description of the species and subspecies of snowdrop protected on a certain territory... This can be a list of endangered plants both in the region and in a particular country. The authorities can make decisions of local and national importance. At the same time, it is possible to organize complex measures to save the population and expand the plant's area.

Planting and breeding

After the end of flowering, Galanthus bulbs are dormant underground until autumn. And only by the second half of September they wake up in order to grow roots and bloom again in spring. The visible growth and blooming of flowers lasts until the first foliage appears on the trees.
Snowdrop takes root well in loose soil with big amount moisture. When planting in clay soil, you need to add a small amount of sand and organic fertilizers. As soon as Galanthus begins to germinate, inorganic dressings can be added. It is not recommended to cut the leaves before they are completely dry.

Soon after Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise, winter came. It lasted a long time, severe frosts reigned on the earth, and the cold, merciless snow did not spare absolutely anyone. In the end, Eve broke down and burst into tears. She cried not so much from pain and cold as from regret for the mistake she had made and for the lost paradise. And then the Lord took pity on her - and turned her tears into the most delicate flowers of this world. This is how snowdrops appeared in the snow, signaling the arrival of spring.

The forest snowdrop has long been a symbol of spring, purity, youth and freshness, and also says that you need to rejoice in both the present and the future, and drive memories of failures from your heart - therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that these gentle, beautiful flowers are extremely popular.

Snowdrops, the first flowers of spring, or as the Greeks called them, galanthus ("milk flowers") belong to the genus of perennial grasses of the amaryllis family, are early small-bulbous plants and are listed in the Red Book.

V wildlife snowdrops grow in the forest: in the center and in the south of the European continent, there are many of them on the coast of the Black and Caspian Seas, as well as in Asia Minor. These flowers are preferred to sunny areas, although they grow without problems in the shade, but they cannot stand the area with stagnant water.

Appearance

Snowdrop flowers white, have green spots from the very edge of the petals (plants of other flowers are not snowdrops). The graceful bell-shaped shape of Galanthus is given by the structure of its petals: the flower has six petals, three of which are external (longer), three are internal (short).

This flower has few leaves, the shape is narrow, flat, dark green or gray-green in color. Galanthus leaves are usually about 1 cm wide. The rounded bulb of the plant, from which only one flower grows, is small: about three centimeters in diameter.

Varieties

In total, there are 18 species and two natural hybrids of Galanthus, most of which are listed in the Red Book. Twelve of them grow in the post-Soviet space (most of all in the Caucasus).

Three types of these plants are especially popular:

Galanthuses are snow-white. White snowdrop (has more than 50 varieties) not only blooms earlier than all its relatives, but also blooms the longest - about 30 days. These plants middle length- from 7 to 12 cm, its flowers are graceful, white, with a yellow spot inside, have a pleasant aroma.
Snowdrops are snowy. Snowdrops are one of the most popular species of this plant, blooming in mid-late March, and growing in the forests of Europe. Height - from 10 to 15 cm, leaves are flat, gray-green in color, width from 0.4 to 1 cm, length - 10 cm drooping bell, white with a green speck.
Galanthuses of Elves. Elves snowdrops can be seen in the forests of Asia Minor, while they begin to bloom earlier than snowdrops and are larger in size. The height of the Elves snowdrop is from 15 to 25 m, the leaves are bluish-green, their width can rarely reach 2 cm, and the snowdrop flowers are white, large, spherical.

Plants of the Red Book

The forest snowdrop turned out to be a victim of human love, because after the harsh snowy winter, people hungry for greenery do not mind bringing home a bouquet of snowdrops and decorating their apartment with them. They are plucked completely in vain - by this time the forest snowdrop has just appeared, it has no particular appearance, since it has not bloomed yet, and these flowers do not last long - only a few days.

If the forest snowdrop used to grow in many countries, now there are extremely few Galanthuses left, since people, picking them to make a bouquet of snowdrops, also often spoil the bulb, completely rendering it unusable.

These plants are especially affected in early spring, during the spring holidays, when on March 8 women are presented with these delicate-looking flowers.

Forest snowdrop is listed in the Red Book as an endangered species, which means that it is prohibited to pick and collect it in the forest in order to form a bouquet of snowdrops. At the same time, as long as there is demand, there will always be supply, and therefore already at the end of spring snowdrops plucked from the forest are sold in huge quantities on the streets and markets of both large and small cities.

When buying a forest snowdrop, you must always keep in mind that poachers thus receive a good income and a tangible incentive to find, dig up snowdrops in the snow next year and bring them to the city (they are not afraid of any fines provided for by law, because the benefit is still greater).

Greenhouse plants

If you really want to please yourself and your loved ones with Galanthuses and bring home a bouquet of snowdrops, you can purchase plants grown in greenhouses (to make sure that the seller is not a fraud, just ask him for a certificate). Florists - this plant is grown with pleasure, since it is not very difficult to do this.

Flowers are not absolutely unpretentious: despite the fact that they tolerate changes in weather and temperature well, they are very demanding on the ground - therefore, growers for planting these flowers specially acquire a snowdrop greenhouse, ideal for installation in the ground or in a greenhouse (it prevents the hypothermia of the soil and creates optimal conditions for growing Galanthus).

Before planting the bulbs, the soil is well fertilized with peat or humus. It is extremely undesirable to plant these plants in the spring during the flowering period, since they rarely take root and almost always die. A snowdrop is transplanted into a greenhouse after the leaves of the flower die off (mid-summer), when the old roots of the snowdrops have already died out, and the new ones have not yet appeared.

Considering that dried bulbs take root hard (and they are sold mainly in this state), they should be planted in the ground immediately after purchase to a depth of 6 to 8 cm. Florists recommend replanting snowdrop plants every five to six years. Snowdrops grow well without replanting and for a longer period.

These plants can also be planted with seeds - but in this case you have to be patient: the seedlings will bloom in the third year at best. Seeds should be sown immediately after harvesting as they quickly become unusable and lose germination.

Snowdrop is one of the most beautiful spring primroses... The first flowers of a snowdrop begin to sprout even under deep snowdrifts, hence its name. It is incredible that this delicate plant is not afraid of frosty ground and boldly reaches for sunlight... The appearance of this early flower symbolizes the long-awaited arrival of spring and the onset of warm days. We can say that the plant itself urges the spring to come into its possession as soon as possible.

However, strict measures for the distribution of these primroses do not frighten dishonest people. The thirst for profit makes them pick the first spring flowers every year, despite all the prohibitions and fines.

In order for a bunch of spring flowers to last only a few days in the house, people carelessly pick them, often harming the bulb. It is still worth remembering that this plant is an endangered flower... It should not be plucked and collected in the forest.

Growing in greenhouses

Still, one should not be upset that forest primroses cannot be picked. You can please yourself and your loved ones with flowers that are grown specially for spring holidays in greenhouses. The owner of the greenhouse must present a certificate that allows him to grow and sell a snowdrop flower without harming the environment.

For growing at home, the common snowdrop is most suitable. It will certainly delight you with its flowering after long gray winter days.

Snowdrops, or Galanthus (Galanthus), appear in late winter or early spring on thawed patches that are without snow. These perennial bulbous plants are unpretentious, they are planted every 5 - 6 years.

Galanthus, photo by David Paloch

Description

Snowdrop, or galanthus, is a perennial bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family that grows in Europe, the Caucasus, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, as well as in the western part of Asia Minor and its neighboring region. We are talking about a specific plant - galanthus, and not about those primroses that are collectively called snowdrops. The name of the genus comes from the Greek words "gala" ("milk") and "anthos" ("flower"). The milk flower is understood to be milky white in color. According to one of the legends, a snowdrop appeared from a snowflake melted by the breath of an angel.

In nature, Galanthus can be seen on forest edges, along river banks or in mountain meadows. Recently, the number of snowdrops is decreasing. In many places, they are on the verge of extinction. The main culprit is man. I would like to pick a cute flower, bring it into the house and put it in a vase, or collect as many snowdrops as possible for sale. I remember well the times when bouquets of snowdrops were sold by March 8 for “five kopecks” from hands near every exit from the metro, at the doors of shops and in markets.

Galanthus bulbs are shallow in the ground and can be easily pulled out of the soil while collecting flowers. Such bulbs do not take root and die. In order to preserve this plant, the sale of bouquets of snowdrops is currently prohibited, and several species are included in the regional Red Books, including those of the Krasnodar Territory. Caucasian snowdrop is included in the Red Book of Russia. Snowdrops are also on the European Red List. Growing it in private plots, parks and botanical gardens helps to protect this plant from final extinction.

The height of a blooming snowdrop is from 10 cm and more, but "I assure you: no palm tree, no tree of knowledge, no victory laurels surpass this fragile white cup on a pale stalk, swaying in the cold wind," ). In February or March (according to the weather), a drooping flower appears. It has a perianth, consisting of 6 white petals: three outer (oval) and three inner (shorter, with a green or yellow spot). Leaves are flat, linear or lanceolate, up to 1 cm wide. They are green or grayish green. Each bulb produces a flower annually, which is held on a thin peduncle. The fruit is a fleshy fairly large capsule containing spherical seeds.

Snowdrop species

The genus of snowdrops includes 18 species. Some of them are cultivated in our country and in Western Europe.

Snowdrop snowdrop, or snow-white, (Galanthus nivalis) Is the most common type. It comes from the shady deciduous forests of Europe and grows in the forests of the Carpathian Mountains. Its height is 10 - 15 cm. There are taller garden forms and varieties of snow-white snowdrop, for example, "Viridapis" (blooms in February - March). Snowdrops are flat and grayish green. Their length is about 10 cm, and their width is from 0.4 to 1 cm. The drooping flower (1 - 3 cm long) has green spots at the ends of the inner petals. Variety "Lutescens" has flowers with a yellow speck. They say that he is very moody. There are snow-white snowdrops with double flowers (Flore Pleno, Pusi Green Tip and Ophelia). All amateur flower growers dream about them. However, in drooping flowers, doubleness is noticeable only at close range. The garden snowdrop "Atkensi" grows very quickly, which results from the crossing of snow-white and folded snowdrops.

Elwes Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) has a different origin. He is originally from Asia Minor. The height of this species is about 15 - 25 cm. It has wider (up to 2 cm) bluish-green leaves, tall (15 - 25 cm) peduncles and large spherical white flowers. Elwes' snowdrop blooms first, often at the end of February. Hybrids have appeared that differ in both decorativeness and endurance. The most popular is the early flowering “S. Atnott "(with large fragrant flowers).

Folded snowdrop (Galanthus plicatus) grows in Crimea (especially in the vicinity of Yalta and Alushta), in Moldova, in the Caucasus, in Romania and Turkey. He gave a number of interesting garden forms and varieties. This snowdrop has its own characteristics. It has a strong aroma, a waxy coating on the leaves during the flowering period and an oily sheen after flowering. The edges of the gray-green leaves are bent downward. The inner petals have a green spot. Blossoming in March - April. There is also a terry uniform "Vargam", which, according to legend, was brought to England during the Crimean War in the middle of the 19th century.

Snowdrop icarian (Galanthus ikariae) from the shady forests of Greece and its islands prefers sandy, rocky and calcareous soils. The inner petals of the flower are decorated with green spots. This snowdrop grows in many botanical gardens, it was widely dispersed and even ended up in the vicinity of Sochi (it blooms in the famous Krasnaya Polyana).

Forster's Snowdrop (Galanthus forsterii) broadleaf, native to Lebanon, has become popular in Western Europe. Blooms in spring.

Snowdrop Voronov (Galanthus woronowii) grows in forests on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and Turkey. It has flowers with a green spot at the top of the inner petals. Snowdrops form daughter bulbs so actively that on one square meter you can count up to 250 or more galanthuses. Their number is replenished by numerous seedlings that appear near the mother plant. Voronov's snowdrop is boldly used in medicinal purposes, not always taking into account the many serious contraindications.

Speaking of flowers, one cannot fail to mention not only their decorative, but also therapeutic possibilities. Some guides on medicinal plants describe medicinal properties snowdrops. However, R.B. Akhmetov, a good expert medicinal herbs and their effects on the body, warns that “preparations of Voronov's snowdrop are contraindicated in epilepsy, hyperkinesis, bronchial asthma, angina pectoris, bradycardia. Some other related species of snowdrops should also be treated with great caution ”.

Care

Place. Both sunny and slightly shaded places are suitable for Galanthus. Those on which thaw patches appear early. Shady places are not suitable, if only because there is snow for a long time. Do not plant Galanthuses in low places because of the possible stagnation of water. Winter-hardy Galanthus in nature prefers calcareous and loamy soils. They should be relatively loose and water permeable. In autumn, planting Galanthus can be covered with a small layer of loose compost. Lapnik often does a "disservice" as it traps snow and prevents thawed patches from appearing.

Top dressing. Snowdrops cannot tolerate fresh manure. Complex mineral fertilizers or special fertilizers for bulbous crops. When planting, dry humus, ash or bone meal are introduced into the ground.

Planting and reproduction. Snowdrops are transplanted after 5 to 6 years. Only after flowering ends. You should not try to plant Galanthuses during the flowering period, since most often after that they do not take root and die. When dividing the nests, rounded bulbs (about 3 cm in diameter) are not dried, but immediately transplanted to a new place. It is important not to dry the acquired bulbs, since galanthuses do not respond well to dehydration. The purchased bulbs must be resilient, they are immediately planted in the soil. It is better not to take drying bulbs.

There are several opinions as to when it is best to replant snowdrops: in August or after flowering (the leaves are still clearly visible). Most flower growers consider the period from June to August to be the most favorable. At this time, the plant is dormant. Old roots cease to function and die off, while new ones have not yet appeared. It is during this period that it is better to acquire and plant snowdrop bulbs, divide the overgrown Galanthus families.

Snowdrops are propagated by daughter bulbs and seeds. Seed propagation takes place without problems. Fresh seeds are sown to a depth of about 1 cm in heavier soil and 2 cm in loose light soil. Seedlings bloom from the third year. When planting bulbs, I follow the golden rule and only rarely deviate from it. The essence of this rule is that the depth of the planting hole corresponds to three times the height of the bulb. In the hole, the bottom 1/3 of the part is occupied by the bulb, and the upper 2/3 of the parts are the soil, which is sprinkled on the bulb. In the fall, you can additionally insulate the planting sites of bulbous crops, but at the time of planting it is worth adhering to this particular "constant".

Decorativeness. Snowdrops look very beautiful when they grow in large groups. They can be planted among rock garden stones, on ridges, in flower beds, under trees and on lawns.

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Everybody knows this short beautiful plant, which first comes to life after winter in the gardens. At first, the snowdrops release a couple of leaves, and soon bloom with drooping white bells. They are not afraid of snow, winter frosts, or spring frosts. And now many white bells are decorating the garden. And this is a sure sign - spring is very close!

Description

Snowdrop, Galanthus (Latin Galanthus) is a genus of perennial grasses of the Amaryllidaceae family.

The genus unites about 18 species common in the nature of Central and Southern Europe, Crimea, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. Most snowdrops, about 16 species, are found in the Caucasus. The exact number of plant species usually does not exist. The fact is that botanists often cannot agree on whether the found plant should be attributed to a new species or whether it differs too little from the representatives of the already known one. Short plants with two linear leaves 10-20 cm long, which appear simultaneously with the peduncles. Flowers are solitary, bell-shaped, drooping. White perianth of six leaves: three outer ones are elliptical or obovate, inner ones are wedge-shaped, at the apex with a green spot, with or without a notch. As a rule, flowers have a very pleasant, but faint scent. Fruits are round, fleshy capsules with three compartments, where a few black seeds are stored. The seeds have a succulent appendage to attract ants, which pull the seeds and spread the plants.

Bulbs are ovoid or conical. The bulb is a compact group of thick scales (modified leaves), planted on a common thick base - the bottom (modified stem). In the sinuses of the scales, small buds are laid, which give rise to daughter bulbs... The upper scales are thin, dry, usually dark and protect the bulb from damage. The bulb itself is used to store nutrients so that the plant can survive the unfavorable environmental conditions at rest. Dormancy can last up to nine months a year, and the plant is able to bloom rapidly at the first opportune moment. Snowdrop bulb is covered with light brown or brown skin.

Without exception, all representatives of the genus of snowdrops are protected plants, and some rare species are on the verge of extinction, and they can be saved by growing in culture.

The snowdrop got its name for the plant's ability to break out of the ground and bloom with the first warm spring rays of the sun, when the snow melts slightly. The Latin name of the snowdrop is "Galanthus" (Galanthus) supposedly consists of Greek roots, which means "milk flower". Probably, this name reflects the delicate snow-white color of the snowdrop.

There are many legends about snowdrops. One of them says that when God expelled Adam and Eve from Paradise, it was winter on earth and it was snowing. Eve froze and began to cry. She sadly recalled the warm paradise gardens. To comfort her, God turned several snowflakes into snowdrop flowers. So the first flowers on Earth may have been snowdrops.

Planting a snowdrop

The best time to buy and plant bulbs is July-September when the plants are at rest. With a long and warm autumn, the time allowed for planting stretches until early November. In the amateur market, snowdrops are often sold in bloom, this is not very good for them: immediately after planting, the leaves wither, turn yellow, then die off completely. But the bulb, although weakened, remains alive. True, the next year such plants bloom weakly or may not bloom at all, but they still do not die.

When buying dormant bulbs, be sure to check their condition. They should be dense and heavy, with intact membranes, without overgrown roots and stems. However, overgrown roots and stems are still permissible, only such a bulb must be urgently planted. Cuts on the bulb are also acceptable, but only on the scales. The bottom should not be damaged, and care must be taken that the wounds are dry and not affected by mold. Even bulbs with a cut off top (the upper parts of the scales), but an intact bottom and buds, remain viable. You should not buy only broken and crumpled onions. Soft areas on the bottom or on the sides, especially with a peeled shell, indicate decay. It is almost impossible to cure rotten bulbs.

Snowdrop bulbs do not tolerate prolonged drying. It is better not to keep them in the air for more than a month, and if it is not possible to plant them, then sprinkle them with sawdust, shavings, etc. and put them in a plastic bag with perforations. In this form, they usually go on sale and are stored for 2-3 months. The bulbs are planted according to the general rule: in loose soil to a depth equal to two bulbs, in heavy soil - to a depth of one. But in any case - not smaller than 5 cm. Snowdrops themselves regulate the planting depth. If they are planted too deep, they form a new bulb on the peduncle, already at the depth they need. In general, strict adherence to the planting depth for small-bulbous is not necessary. It's just that when they are shallow in the ground, the bulbs become smaller, but they actively form children, and when they are deep, they become larger.

Peculiarities

Location: in shaded but sun-warmed places, on soils with good drainage;
when transplanting wild-growing species, a more illuminated place is chosen.
(reklama)
Temperature: winter-hardy culture.

The soil: thrive best on sufficiently moist, loose, well-drained nutrient soil after applying humus or compost. High, dry and low, with stagnant water, snowdrops do not tolerate areas. Heavy clay soils require the addition of sand.

Watering: watering young plants after germination; then watered only if there is little rain.

Reproduction: propagated by dividing the "nests" of the bulbs, without drying them. It reproduces easily by self-seeding.

Acquisition: purchase seeds and bulbs (at the end of summer) or seedlings in cups (in winter) in specialized horticultural centers and nurseries. Preference is given to varieties of very early flowering with large flowers.

Care

Leaves should not be cut until they die off completely. During active growth, liquid inorganic fertilizers are applied. Fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are undesirable. It is better if they contain more potassium and phosphates. A large number of nitrogen causes excessive leaf formation, which in wet weather can become the basis for fungal diseases. Potassium contributes to the formation of healthy, well-wintering bulbs, and phosphorus is especially beneficial for flowering. During active growth, small-bulbous ones consume a lot of water. Nature usually provides sufficient watering at the right time, but if the winter has little snow or the spring is dry, the grower will have to water the plants himself. Watering small-bulbous plants is not a very cumbersome task, they are quite resistant to drought and will not die in any case. Only grow up short. After collecting seeds, you can forget about them. In the future, small-bulbous ones do not need care until the end of the season. However, they can sow seeds themselves. This is how naturalization begins.

Reproduction

Plants reproduce vegetatively, forming one or two bulbs over the summer. The folded snowdrop reproduces especially actively: 3-4 bulbs are formed in it. Snowdrops are transplanted after the leaves die off in late August - early September. Plants transplanted in spring during flowering almost always die. The transplant should be carried out after five to six years, but snowdrops grow well in one place without transplanting and for a longer time.

Reproduction by seeds is also possible. Sowing is carried out directly into the ground immediately after collection, while the plants bloom in the 4th - 5th year. Planted on lawns under the canopy of trees and shrubs, they reproduce by self-seeding.

Usage

For varied floral arrangements. Snowdrops are very decorative in large groups not only in rock gardens, but also in the form of "carpets" under trees and shrubs in light partial shade, as well as in the form of white lawns among the lawn. Miniature bouquets of snowdrops can stand for a long time in the water, and with a simple arrangement in crystal vases look attractive and expressive ...

It is advisable to plant snowdrops together in small groups, 10-30 pieces each. The lack of early flowers is the early death of the aerial part. But it is easily overcome in a flower garden, where it is preferable to keep plants that are tolerant of shading and do not tolerate drying out during the dormant period. Snowdrops are planted between bushes of slowly growing perennials with spreading leaves, such as host, peonies. They also successfully complement late growing perennials. The main thing is that the snowdrops are illuminated during the growing season at least part of the day. To simulate the natural corners of nature in gardens and parks, snowdrops are often planted under shrubs and deciduous trees, placing them on the illuminated side. In the resting stage, they can tolerate any shading. It is better not to rake the leaves fallen from the trees: the plants easily break through them in the spring, and they do not interfere with them at all. In addition, rotted leaves are a good natural feeding, and in addition, they retain increased moisture in top layer soil. If the leaves get in the way for some reason, they must be removed in the fall, so as not to damage the regrown plants in the spring.

Snowdrop partners

These crops are recommended for the creation of early flowering groups in the shade in combination with groves, crested beetles, lungwort, primrose. You can also use snowdrops in mixed plantings with medium and tall late growing perennials: ferns, hosta, peonies.

Types of snowdrops

Galanthus snow(snow-white snowdrop) - Galanthus nivalis. Grows wild in the south of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Europe and the Mediterranean. Bulbous, early spring plant with flat dark green or glaucous leaves up to 10 cm long. The bulb is round, up to 2 cm in diameter. Peduncles up to 12 cm tall. Flowers are solitary, up to 3 cm in diameter, with a pleasant aroma, drooping, white with a green spot at the ends of the tepals. The outer tepals are oblong, the inner ones are wedge-shaped, less than the outer ones. Blooms before all snowdrops, in late March - early April for about 30 days.

Galanthus Caucasian- Galanthus caucasicus. Grows wild in the Caucasus and northern Iran. A plant with flat, linear, gray leaves, up to 30 cm long. Peduncles up to 10 cm tall. The flowers are white, 2-2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter, with a pleasant aroma. Inner perianth lobes with a green spot at the end of the petals. Blooms from early April for two weeks. Fruiting irregularly. In the middle lane it winters under light cover. In culture since 1887.

Galanthus folded- Galanthus plicatus. Usually grows wildly in the Mountainous Crimea. Endemic to Crimea and Moldova. One of the largest representatives of the genus. Leaves at the beginning of flowering with a bluish bloom, later - shiny, dark green. Peduncles up to 16 cm tall. Flowers 2.5-3 cm long and up to 4 cm in diameter. Blooms in March 20-25 days. Bulbs are ovoid up to 3 cm in diameter. The leaves are stored with solar energy until the end of June, then die off.

Broadleaf galanthus- Galanthus plathyphyllus. It grows naturally in the Eastern and Western Transcaucasia. One of the most promising snowdrops for the northern zone. Leaves without bluish bloom. Flowers about 3 cm long and up to 4 cm in diameter, with a faint aroma. Blooms from early April for a month. Conical or ovoid-conical bulbs, 5x3 cm.

Galanthus Elves- Galanthus EIwesii. Originally from Asia Minor. This is a tall species, the peduncles of which can reach a height of 15-25 cm. The leaves of this species are wide, sometimes up to 2 cm, bluish-green in color. The flowers are white, large, spherical. It blooms earlier than the snowdrop snowdrop, in February.

Snowdrop Voronov- Galanthus woronowii. Bulb with a diameter of 3 cm, with yellowish outer scales. The stem is 20-25 cm high, slightly ribbed, the leaves are linear, gradually sharpening, with a thickening at the apex, light green, at first flat, 20-25 cm in length, after flowering outgrowing the stem and becoming folded (folds are wrapped on the outer side of the leaf). Blooms in late February - March, and under favorable conditions - in January. Leaves appear at the same time as flowers. It grows in the forests of the lower and middle mountain zones in Western Transcaucasia - from Tuapse to Batumi and further along the Black Sea coast of Turkey, as well as on about. Ikaria in the Aegean Sea.

Diseases and pests

Mice and Moles... They can damage the bulbs by digging their burrows underground. Mice, moreover, can simply carry the whole bulbs into their burrows. Bulbs damaged by rodents sometimes rot, as evidenced by weak growth and a depressed appearance of the plant in spring. Then the bulbs are dug up and the decayed parts are cut off, the damaged area is covered with ash and left open for several hours to dry the wound. You can protect yourself from mice if you do not leave sod with grass or clumps of perennials at a distance of 3 m from the beds, where these mice can settle. The mice do not move further than 3 m from the nest. If such an arrangement of landings is not possible, then you will have to set up traps. For moles - according to the instructions, for vegetarian mice - with vegetable bait.

Owl butterflies and their caterpillars... The thick gray caterpillars of the scoop butterflies also spoil the bulbs. They can be found and harvested in the fall, during weeding, when they are preparing to pupate.

Slugs. Underground slugs can settle in rich or heavy clay soils. To get rid of them, when planting, you need to surround the bulb with a layer of coarse sand or use special tool from slugs.

Bulbous nematode. It is a very thin small worm that lives in the soil and dead plant parts. It can also infect live bulbs. Irregularly shaped yellowish tumors appear on the leaves along the edges; a dark ring is visible on the cut of the bulb, separating the healthy part from the affected one. In this case, the diseased plants are destroyed, the rest are dug up and soaked for 3-4 hours in quite hot water: 40-45 ° C. And on an empty site for the next 4-5 years, bulbous plants are not planted.

Viruses. Pale yellow, light green marks on leaves in the vicinity of an uneven, lumpy surface or unnatural curling indicate infection with viruses. It is better to destroy the affected plant as soon as possible, before it becomes a source of infection for others. But viruses, as a rule, do not enter the seeds, so that the affected species can be healed simply by reseeding.

Fungal diseases... Brown or black marks on the leaves, fluffy gray patches of plaque that usually appear in warm and damp weather at soil level, and then rise and grow, indicate the appearance of a fungal disease: rust and gray mold. The affected parts must be torn off and burned, and diseased plants should be treated with fungicides as soon as possible according to the instructions.

Chlorosis... Leaf yellowing is usually caused by bulb damage, disease, poor drainage or growing conditions, not a lack of any nutrients in the soil.

We are waiting for your feedback and advice on growing these wonderful plants!

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