The snow is melting quickly, and I can’t help but wonder if the tiny Snowdrop bulbs (Galanthus nivalis) are already pushing through beneath the mounds. How long will it be before they bloom once the snow is truly gone? Winter weary, I’m craving my garden and the vibrant sights of early spring.
Snowdrops
Snowdrops or White Bells are the first flowers of spring. They symbolize hope and rebirth. And are toxic so that means deer and rabbits don’t eat them. (You shouldn’t either and handle carefully if you pick them).
The tiny bulbs hail from Eurasia (think Turkey or the Caucasus Mountains) and are best planted in September or October.
I’ve only the one clump. Makes their sighting all the more precious.
Hellebores
I’m curious about how the Hellebores are doing. I seem to recall seeing buds forming before the blizzards hit.
Hellebores were noted by the ancient Greeks for their toxicity. Don’t eat them, and it’s good news that rabbits and deer don’t eat them either. Also known as Christmas Rose or Lenten Rose because they bloom so early in England. They also hail from Eurasia.
Here in New England they are one of the earliest perennials to flower. I love the way they present like a bouquet with the shiny evergreen leaves encircling them. Sometimes I think of the leaves like a brim of a hat.
The flowers last a long time in this part shade loving plant. Morning sun suits them well.
Another great thing about Hellebores is that they grow so abundantly, I can easily snip a few here and there to create a bouquet for my home.
It’s time to book a landscape design consultation.
Early spring is the perfect time to schedule a garden consultation, the first step in transforming your landscape. You might already be picturing Snowdrops and Hellebores blooming in your future.
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