Galanthus elwesii 'Mount Everest'

Autumn - early · Planting

Pot/repot autumn bulbs

For best results in pots, plant in bulb compost. To refresh the compost, re-pot every other year in autumn when the plant, which has been dormant, is just coming into growth. Use a pot with drainage holes in the bottom.

Applies to all autumn planted bulbs

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Feed a general fertiliser

Give a general purpose feed two or three times during the growing season, preferably not within a month of its end so the plant isn't encouraged to make fresh young growth.

Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water during dry periods

For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.

Spring - mid-late · Planting

Plant during growth

Snowdrops can be bought as dry bulbs and planted. Or may be bought as a grown plant in a pot (this is known as 'in the green') and planted out if desired. In difficult soils it may be best to use plants rather than bulbs as they may establish quicker.

Where possible procure bunches of snowdrops that still have living foliage. Plant them in the garden, water them until established, and you should have a high success rate.

Spring-Summer · Planting

Bulb foliage

Allow foliage to die back naturally to enable energy to be returned to the bulb for the next year. Once leaves are yellow, dried and flopping over, usually about 6 weeks after flowering, cut or mow back to the ground.

Applies to all autumn planted bulbs