A flurry of snowdrops

In the cooler regions, nothing signifies the end of winter quite like Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). When planted en masse or scattered around a lawn area, their small white bell flowers with green tips on the inside petals look like small snowdrops falling on the ground.

Choose a well-drained spot in the garden that attracts part shade to full shade.

Enrich the soil with some compost and Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food before planting.

Place each bulb directly where the plant is to grow at a depth of 7cm and 10cm apart.

Water well to keep the soil lightly moist.

Once shoots start to appear, feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.

Feed each plant regularly until the leaves start to die down. This will provide it with more strength next season. Plants can be left in the ground undisturbed.

Choose a pot that has adequate drainage holes and place it in a position that gets part shade to full shade.

Fill the pot with Yates Premium Potting Mix.

Place the bulb directly where the plant is to grow at a depth of 7cm and 10cm apart.

Once shoots start to appear, feed regularly with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.

Feed the plant regularly until the leaves start to die down. This will provide it with more strength next season.

Once the leaves have died down, remove the bulbs from the container and store until next season in a cool dry place.

Often confused with Snowflakes, Leucojum vernum, which flower in the late winter, have spots on the outsides of the petals and can produce several flowers on each stem. Snowdrops are best suited to the cooler climates, have green colouring on the tips of the inside petals and generally produce single flowers on each stem.

They are great for mass plantings in beds, throughout sheltered lawns or under tree canopies.

Whilst their flowering period is limited and they die down before the hot weather arrives, they do provide an abundance of contrast to the garden in early spring.