Flowers
October 24, 2017
March 15, 2014
Snowdrops tell Us Spring is Coming
Three of the snowdrop cultivars in our collection. From left to right: Galanthus lutea, G. elwesii 'Seagull', and the double G. nivalis 'Blewberry Tart'
Snowdrops (Galanthus is the genus) are very popular in Great Britain, but here in the U.S. they are generally overlooked by gardeners preferring bigger, more colorful flowers. For those who cherish the first signs of spring however, snowdrops in the garden are tiny treasures that appear as soon as the snow begins to melt.
The ones in the photo here are just 3 of the collection that Louis Bauer, former Director of Horticulture, planted in a raised area down near the barn and potting shed here at Greenwood. Each of the unique varieties were acquired from Hitch Lyman, America's most famous galanthophile.
Mr. Lyman is hardly the only one in the U.S. smitten over these little darlings. "The snowdrop crazies are crazy, and they love the smallest difference," Mr. Lyman says. "And since I'm one of them, I'm aware it's not a normal preoccupation." You can read more about the "Seriously Obsessed" in this 2010 article in the Wall Street Journal
Lyman grows more than 400 varieties in his private garden near Ithaca, NY and it will be open to the public on Saturday, April 5 as part of the Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program.
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