From V. Sackville-West’s Garden Book, selected and edited by Philippa Nicolson:
“The spring Snowflake, Leucojum vernum, which started coming into flower at the beginning of this month, is worth noticing now with a view to future bulb orders. It is one of those things which repay looking closely into, turning its white, green-tipped bell upwards, as you might turn a child’s face upwards by putting your finger under its chin.
“Any right-minded child would resent and resist; the Snowflake has no option. You may then peer into the delicacy of its structure and its markings, always the best way to appreciate the tinies of drooping habit. Not that the Snowflake fails to make its own little effect in the garden. It accompanies the snowdrops and the aconites, and thus is welcome on a dreary morning when every harbinger and prophet means the beginning of spring.
“Practical note: plant the bulbs early, in September. Do not be disappointed if for the first year they do not do much. They need a year to settle down; so, obviously, you must never disturb them again once you have got them established. They like a bit of shade, so are useful to fill up a shady corner where other bulbs might not flourish.”
Hello!
This is the second of two posts with photos of Spring Snowflakes (Leucojum vernum) from Oakland Cemetery’s gardens. The first post — with a little Snowflake botanical history — is Spring Snowflakes (1 of 2).
Thanks for taking a look!
those snowflakes have naturalized in a couple of the creek bottoms near my hometown and everyone looks forward to seeing them although in upstate New York of course that’s a little while yet.
It seems like I never saw them much around Atlanta (maybe never noticed them?) until I found these big batches at Oakland. But I recognized them immediately; I used to find them while exploring rivers and swamps in northern New York, and they seemed fond of establishing themselves and spreading along riverbanks. Probably the spring version, like the ones you’re familiar with, which I guess are hardier than the summer version in colder climates.