First, Colesbourne Gardens looks fantastic!

https://www.colesbournegardens...

I found the site when researching EARLY pollen/nectar sources for bees. Would like to run a mix of snowdrops and winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) both in lawn and beds. Even though I see snowdrops offered as bulbs, everything I have been told here and elsewhere suggests they are iffy at best. Most say best planted in the green. However, the site above says there is root damage and they use bulbs. Some seed sources also exist. The ground I have in lawn is ancient alluvium baked and compressed to concrete during dry hot summer spells. Better during late winter into spring. The lot runs roughly east/west. Thoughts on snowdrops and/or aconites for my location? Best way to kickstart? Thoughts on species/varieties? Probably better would be the shorter types for the lawn.

Ive only planted snowdrop bulbs, never any issues. I've purchased my bulbs from this organization with great luck, website has a lot of good info. https://www.colorblends.com

Snowdrops starts to root early and are sensitive to drying out. This is probably the reason why it often is recommended to plant them in the green. If you buy bulbs early in the season from a reputable dealer that stores them properly and immediately plant them, then I agree that you should be good. Dried up bulbs late in the season have a much smaller chance for success.

My preference for snowdrops in my own garden is to lift them just as they start to yellow and immediately replant them.

I would personally get a few bulbs each of both N. nivalis and N. elwesii to start with. This will extend the bloom time and you will get a chance to see which one does best for you. Plant in a few different locations to see how they do. Once you are satisfied with their performance you can add more in those areas they do best. Planting a lot of bulbs at once can lead to big disappointments. On my dry sandy soil, they do better in the colder, moister areas. In the lawn, they grow very slowly, your experience may differ.

In all honesty there isn't such a great difference between snowdrops as some pictures will give you the impression of, so buying fancy cultivars isn't worth it for normal garden use. If you want to mass them and hopefully also get them to self seed then you want the species.

Winter aconites do not do so well here for several reasons, however if you plan to mix them with snowdrops, it might be better to plant them in groups, rather tan to do an actual mix if that was what you intended to do. That way you wont risk that one takes over too much. These bulbs directly compete about the same space and resources at the same time, so keep that in mind.

I did plant 60 Galanthus woronowii in 2 beds a couple of weeks ago. Crossing fingers on those.
As far as the lawn is concerned, given the recent deep freeze and its continuance for about another week, the ground is frozen and will continue to be well past the hope for the possibility of Spring other than planting for 2019. However, I am actively recording the answers and looking at sources & options for the above. Will look into those species. Thanks for all the recommendations.

I just found a website and thought people might be interested in seeing some more pictures of Galanthus collections. Where is the envy emoji?

Enjoy.


http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.u...

Hello, I'm new to the Bulb Forum, and thought you might like to see the Galanthus I have blooming right now in my Middle TN garden.

I have purchased bulk unnamed bulbs from John Scheepers, Brent and Becky's , and from Garden Centers. Last year I bought 3 named bulbs from Carolyn's Shade Gardens in PA. They came "in the green." All the others were dormant bulbs.

Because I have so many critters in my garden, I have started planting my Snowdrops in the black plastic mesh hydroponic baskets.

This one has had a pinkish tint for the three years it has bloomed, and I'm quite excited about it


I like the inner markings on this one

Just a little clump

Brush strokes on the petals

SouthHays

This was from one bulb of South Hayes from Carolyn's Shade garden in Spring of 2018. I am quite pleased with it.



Overhead photo of SH


Cute markings from a bulk purchase



Another promising drop. My dog stepped on it and damaged it.


I look forward to seeing your Snowdrop photos.

Thank you @UrbanWild for that list. I am going to look around a little before it is game time.

There are a few Fall blooming snowdrops. Here in Zone 5b I have at least a few snowdrops blooming every month from October through April (unless the snow remains deep for the entire month). Here's the most common fall bloomer, Galanthus reginae-olgae ssp. reginae-olgae. The shortened name is G r-o.

Here in the Northeast USA we have had a relatively mild January. Rain coming this weekend. Here's a few of the Snowdrops that have bloomed thus far.

This is a hybrid called "Ding Dong"


Mrs. Macnamara after a 4 inch snowfall last weekend.


G. plicatus 'Colossus' on January 11th.


G. 'Cowhouse Green' yesterday.


Steve

Wow Steve!!!

I have got to start getting some snowdrops. I don't think any of those I planted as bulbs a year or so ago have survived. We'll see.

Urban Wild,

I'm on the edge between zone 5b and 6a, so we may not be that different depending on the Winter we are having. This year has been very mild. As for your snowdrops if you planted the species G. nivalis (the common snowdrop) you should only see noses up right now. My suggestion for next year would be to plant some G. elwesii. That species can be early, mid or late season depending upon the bulb. Use a reputable supplier (Colorblends, Brent & Becky, or Sheepers). Plant in early Fall and plant where the bulbs will get Spring sun and Summer shade. You'll get great results that way.

Steve

This is the double, Lady Beatrix Stanley

I'm dismayed and pleased to report that so far we seem to have six Galanthus woronowii out of the 60 bulbs that were planted a little over two years ago (https://garden.org/thread/view...). I'm hoping to see more but I'm thrilled to see the six specimens.? Hope to be surprised by more as I remove brush in anticipation of warmer weather. We'll see. I'm going to get some from other sources this year.