Snowdrops, Winter Aconites, Crocus: Garden Bloggers Bloom Day March 2010

– Posted in: Snowdrops, What's up/blooming
22 comments

Another March, another mud season in full swing. The snowdrops that had barely opened five days ago are now in full flower:

S. Arnott by the walk

These snowdrops were just budding five days ago


Galanthus nivalis in woods

Galanthus nivalis in the Secret Garden

The snowdrops that were buried under snow on March 7th are now in full bud, as you can see on the left. This is the path in the Secret Garden that I brag on every year about this time. These snowdrops all came from a single clump given to me, well, I don’t remember exactly when–at least thirteen years ago, maybe more. I did not know they would do so well when I planted them. As a matter of fact, I planted a few in another location when I originally planted these, and they petered out. Can you imagine how splendiferous these would be, if I had managed to dig some up and divide them every year?
Eranthis, also known as winter aconites

These winter aconites are blooming on the north side of the house

This is the third year winter aconites are blooming in Purdyville. Dare I believe they are here to stay, after several previous failed attempts? We can see these from the bathroom and laundry room windows, so they cheer us on the blustery days when no one wants to venture outside.
double snowdrop detail of blossom

You have to turn a double snowdrop upside down to see the exquisitely layered petals.

The double snowdrops are blooming, too. I can see them from the kitchen door, even though they are on the far side of the yard. And for the record, if it had been sunny today, I would have had my first crocus blooming as well:
crocus in bud

Almost, but not quite in time for bloom day, these crocus are waiting for sunshine

Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens, and leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.

About the Author

Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.

What differentiates a bulb from a perennial plant is that the nourishment for the flower is stored within the bulb itself.…There is something miraculous about the way that a little grenade of dried up tissue can explode into a complete flower.

~Monty Don in The Complete Gardener pp. 142

Comments on this entry are closed.

Elisabeth April 14, 2010, 8:28 pm

Does anyone know the name of the tiny yellow flowers that come out now that look like crocuses (act like them too – close at night) but spread all over the yard very rapidly from one season to the next and their leaves look more like the leaves of a violet plant? I might try to get a picture tomorrow.

kerri April 6, 2010, 1:49 pm

My snowdrops have lasted well this spring. I keep dividing and moving them around too. The handy thing about them is that you can move them any time. I’d dearly love to have some of those doubles. Must try to remember to get some.
I was so happy to have even one little winter aconite appear from seeds sown last year…given to me by a friend. I’m hoping they’ll multiply.
My crocuses finally opened with that beautiful warm stretch of weather but they’re almost finished now.
The daffs began blooming on April 1st. Isn’t it sheer bliss to see the spring bulbs flowering again?
Today’s rain should keep the daffs blooming longer.
.-= kerri´s last blog ..Easter Blessings =-.

Savannah March 22, 2010, 1:43 am

It looks like spring time is finally here! Although the weather has been a bit insane across the US…plants everywhere are blooming. I love the snowdrops! Thank you for sharing. If you have time, please visit this blog: http://www.citrusfruittrees.net/ thank you!

Yvonne @ Country Gardener March 21, 2010, 8:52 pm

Lovely flowers! Those first blooms mean so much, but not only to us. I was fascinated the other day to see lots of honeybees at the snowdrops. Those flowers are pretty important to them too.
.-= Yvonne @ Country Gardener´s last blog ..Signs of an all too early spring =-.

Randy March 18, 2010, 9:38 pm

Just learning about snow drops. Doubles are new also, very cool
.-= Randy´s last blog ..Daffodils opened today finally =-.

Cheryl March 16, 2010, 6:32 pm

A feast for my eyes and heart, for sure! Eliz – I love the idea of putting a mirror under the vase, what a great tip!
.-= Cheryl´s last blog ..Blogs full of Spring =-.

Lynn March 16, 2010, 4:50 pm

Lovely, and with today’s sunshine, now you have croci! I’m going home now in hopes to see 1 or 3 at our place, too.
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..I feel the earth move =-.

Helen Yoest @ Gardening With Confidence March 16, 2010, 4:49 pm

Oh how I love the Galanthus. So very pretty Kathy Purdy! H.

Eliz March 16, 2010, 2:19 pm

I believe Beverley Nichols or maybe Christopher Lloyd put the double snowdrops in a vase with a mirror under it.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter March 16, 2010, 11:20 am

I’m convinced we have different species of winter aconites. Mine bloom later than yours. I need to get some of your kind, so that they bloom with the snowdrops. I’m with you about regretting not dividing and spreading around the snowdrops. I’m going to do it this year, even though the time they need dividing is busy with other urgent garden tasks.
.-= Mr. McGregor’s Daughter´s last blog ..Spring Begins: March Bloom Day =-.

Chiot's Run March 16, 2010, 10:53 am

I must buy some snowdrops to plant in my garden – must. The double ones are especially beautiful!
.-= Chiot’s Run´s last blog ..Checking our Beehives after a Long Winter =-.

Rurality March 16, 2010, 8:54 am

Lovely! In all the photos I’ve seen of snowdrops, nobody has ever turned them up for me before. Thanks! 🙂

Les March 16, 2010, 7:16 am

I covet those double Snowdrops. I am glad to see that spring is emerging in your part of the world. Happy GBBD!

Cyndy March 16, 2010, 5:52 am

Love the tiny treasures of early, early spring. Congrats on your aconites!
.-= Cyndy´s last blog ..Ephemerals, part three =-.

Christine B. March 16, 2010, 1:34 am

Your snowdrops look delectable…this may be the year they come back for me. I hope. No crocuses for a month at least. Looks like spring has arrived at your place.

Christine in Alaska

Kathy Purdy March 16, 2010, 11:21 am

Snowdrops are in the same family as daffodils and aren’t eaten by rodents. Galanthus elwesii does better in drier conditions and blooms earlier. G. nivalis likes moister conditions and blooms later. I don’t know which species of snowdrops is considered the most cold-hardy.

Nancy Bond March 16, 2010, 12:16 am

You are so lucky to have these wonderful little blooms. It surely gives one hope that it won’t be long before we’ll be seeing them in all our gardens. 🙂
.-= Nancy Bond´s last blog ..Sunday (And Birthday) Reflections =-.

Robin March 16, 2010, 12:04 am

I really must plant some snowdrops. I like the double; too bad you can’t see the beautiful blooms unless you hold it up.
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Spring has Sprung =-.

Carolflowerhill March 15, 2010, 11:14 pm

Lovely blooms! I must find some winter aconites! They are so cheery! ;>)
.-= Carolflowerhill´s last blog ..Garden Bloggers Bloom Day Mid March Modest Display =-.

Dee/reddirtramblings March 15, 2010, 9:51 pm

Oh, they are so sweet. I have a few snowdrops, but no big clumps as yet. I wonder if the heat is too much for them really here. Happy Bloom Day.~~Dee
.-= Dee/reddirtramblings´s last blog ..Chilly. Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day March 15, 2010 =-.

Leslie March 15, 2010, 9:42 pm

I just love those double snowdrops!
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..GBBD March 2010 =-.