While I was returning, I heard reports that West Texas was getting record amounts of snow. Too much snow. They were unprepared, and even major interstate freeways were closed. Here in East Texas, we got the wind, but no moisture.
As I drove home, I wondered what changes I would find in my garden. Sure enough, there were a few more blooms greeting me upon my return. But, the loveliest blooms were coming from the snowflakes (leucojum). They have never disappointed me. But snowflakes are just one type of blooming "snow" for the garden.
Snowdrops (galanthus) are the most popular early spring blooming bulb. These little bulbs are so popular, there is even a name for collectors: galanthophile. Snowdrops can be grown in zones 2 through 9, but do best in zones 4 through 7. I have ordered some (arriving soon!) to try out in my garden. I am hoping that they will be happy here. Snowdrops generally have longer petals on the outside, and shorter petals on the inside.
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| Leucojum |
Then, there are snowflakes (leucojum). Their petals are generally even all the way around the bloom. I have had snowflakes in my garden for several years, and they are dependable, beautiful, and easy to grow. They can be grown in zones 4 through 9. There are two common types of snowflakes: spring snowflake, leucojum vernum, and summer snowflake, leucojum aestivum. Snowflakes seem to be overlooked by collectors, but I'm not sure why. Perhaps in the future there will be leucojumphiles.
Since my snowflakes bloom in February, I had always assumed mine were leucojum vernum, or spring snowflake. But, now I think they are leucojum aestivum, or summer snowflakes, because even though they are blooming in February, I've read that spring snowflakes (leucojum vernum) usually bloom with one or two flowers per stem, while summer snowflakes (leucojum aestivum) have two to seven blooms per stem. You can correct me if I'm wrong.
Either way, now that I'm adding snowdrops to my garden, I definitely need both spring and summer snowflakes in my garden, too. After all, one can never have too much snow - if it's the blooming kind!
They are very pretty and kind of a plus to have those right now instead of what others are getting with the real snow. :)
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
So true! I don't like the real thing - I'll take blooming snow any day! :)
DeleteAhh...I love those! We had some growing in the pasture when I was a little girl. I thought they were lily of the valley. I am trying to think of what to plant in my flower beds to bloom in May. (I don't dare say garden - just a few beds. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Garden!
Blessings,
Ava
Good luck with your decisions - it's always fun to plan new garden beds!
DeleteYour snowflakes are so early. They usually start flowering here in April. Your are quite correct, these are the Leucojum aestivum, the summer snowflake. I have them both the vernum and aestivum, but the last one, the summer snowflake is increasing much better and mostly flowers earlier than the Leucojum vernum.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! The summer snowflake blooms early than the spring snowflake for you! Now I'm really going to have to get some spring snowflakes just to see when they bloom!
DeleteIndeed! Especially if you have the space. Snowdrops and snowflakes looks great in large clumps and drifts! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't have large drifts - I can't afford all those thousands of bulbs! :O
DeleteI'm the opposite of you, I have snowdrops, but no snowflakes. I need to get some. The snowdrops are cute, but so small, they almost get overlooked, even though they are one of very few things flowering right now. The snowflakes are much taller, with more flowers.
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't get hit with snow.
I wonder if I will love the snowdrops as well as these snowflakes. But, I think it would be fun to have them all!
DeleteHi, I can understand family getting a little upset when people that they are with spend time texting/emailing, etc... I get a little upset with my grandkids when they visit. They don't talk to anyone --but stay on their cells most of the time... Just not right!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThen when someone gets a cellphone call at a restaurant and talks VERY VERY loudly so that everyone in the restaurant can hear them, that is so irritating.... AH---off the subject here... ha ha
Your Snowflakes are gorgeous. I've never heard of them --but I have heard of snowdrops... Thanks for sharing this info..
Hugs,
Betsy
You are so right, Betsy! And visiting family is much more important than visiting other bloggers! I can do that anytime! :)
DeleteI grow the snowflake kind too and think mine are the aestivum type (it's what I ordered anyhow). I like the snowflakes better than the snowdrops because they seem more reliable and happier here. At any rate they are all sweet! You have a lot! I can see dividing them soon to spread them around-maybe on my new property:)
ReplyDeleteI do wonder if the snowdrops will be happy here. But my snowflakes seem to love their little spot! Good luck with moving to your new property! It will be so fun to plan and plant a new garden from scratch!
DeleteI must plant that snowflake plant - much earlier with you, I think,
ReplyDeleteI really do love the snowflakes. They are so easy!
DeleteI have never heard of snowflakes (except the kind that fall from the sky). Thanks for teaching me something new! They look like a little girls skirt with green polk-a-dots on it. I love the picture of the snowflakes peaking through the birdbath.
ReplyDeleteLittle girls skirt with polk-a-dots! Love that! Now I'll think of them that way! :)
DeleteI don't have snowflakes, but I have snowdrops, two types, and in Britain, which has a range of hardiness zones from 7a - 10a they thrive in all zones and are very popular. In my London garden, zone 9a (and some winters 10a) the snowdrops have been flowering for about 3 weeks, but this year we are very late with everything – its’ been unusually cold.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of snowflakes, often compared to Lily of the Valley, which I have hundreds of, but they flower much later. Maybe I should get some early flowering snowflakes to complement the snowdrops? They look very pretty in your photos :-)
I don't have any lily of the valley - I guess I'll have to try some of those, too! :) Good to know snowdrops are not as picky as I was thinking. I so hope they're happy in my garden!
DeleteMy snowflakes have two to three flowers per stem, so they may be the summer snowflakes. However, they are only a foot tall or less, and I have read that summer snowflakes grow two feet tall, while the spring snowflakes are 8"-12". So I am not sure! I do love them. Yours look great grouped around the birdbath.
ReplyDeleteI read that, too. My snowflakes are not that tall, either. Mine are around 12" or so. And I doubt they will ever get taller!
DeleteHere in Albuquerque the sky was completely blue this morning, and just east of town the interstate was closed all the way into Texas. Crazy! I much prefer your kind of snow! I don't think snowdrops would get quite enough moisture here, but I'm tempted by the snowflakes. They look so beautifully fresh and pristine next to your birdbath.
ReplyDeleteThat was some crazy front that came through. It moved above us - I was glad to have missed the snow, although I wish we would have gotten a little rain.
DeleteSOOOO true! How funny about your family and the internet!! Ha! And your blooms are lovely! We are currently getting blasted as we speak with the falling snow and more is to come!!! Oh I am trying my hardest to be patient but it is really hard this year!!! Have a wonderful week friend!
ReplyDeleteStay safe and warm in all that snow! I hope this will be the last big front for the year - and that spring will finally show up!
DeleteHolley, I'm glad your area wasn't hit too hard with all the snow. I like your blooming snow much more than my 'authentic' stuff. We're supposed to be getting a bit more snow tonight, another 6". But the bigger problem is the high wind, all day today and tomorrow it's been howling like a banshee. Enough with the wind already!
ReplyDeleteI had a chuckle over the family and the internet, I do the same thing, get absent-minded and forget to watch the movie or whatever it is we're supposed to be doing. Blogs are so much more interesting.
I hate the wind! It just beats me down when I'm out in it. I think I'd rather work out in rain than in the wind. But, not in snow, though!
DeleteO gosh.... whenever I saw ur garden visually, I would say I dont need a lunch or dinner to feed my stomach!
ReplyDeleteSo cooling effect with the weather too. How wish the world is spinning the other way round then!
It will soon be winter there, and summer here! But, then it will turn the other way - and we will be the ones wishing spring were coming instead of leaving!
DeleteSo pretty - I would be so excited to have these growing in my garden!!! Maybe I will try them this spring!
ReplyDeleteOh, you should! Like most bulbs, they are very easy!
DeleteI have and love both...I won't see the snowdrops until the snow melts and the snowflakes until mid spring in late April or early May here...
ReplyDeleteI hope your snow melts soon, Donna! I know you must be so very anxious for warmer weather - and some blooms!
DeleteI don't have any Snowflakes, though I do have Snowdrops. The Snowflakes remind me of lily of the valley.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they spread as easily as lily of the valley. But, I don't have any lilies of the valley, so I really should find a spot for them, too!
DeleteSo pretty! They remind me of lily of the valley, which appear quite a bit later in our spring.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be fun to have a succession of these blooms - snowdrops, snowflakes (spring and summer), then lilies of the valley!
DeleteYour snowflakes are very sweet and much better than the cold ones that fall from the sky!
ReplyDeleteYes, much, much better! :)
DeleteOne can never have too much snow...hmmmm, I agree when we're talking about blooms! Personally, I'm hoping my snow will turn to rain soon. The white landscape from late December through now has been lovely, but now I'm ready for a change. Happy Spring!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope your snow begins to melt soon. I can imagine you're very ready for spring to make an appearance!
DeleteOnly snowflakes here, snowdrops have a long wait I think. They look very pretty around your birdbath. I bet they have been multiplying.
ReplyDeleteThe plan is to have them multiply enough to go completely around the birdbath. Of course, now I realize I need to buy some spring snowflakes, too, so I may have to plant them on that side!
DeleteSo delicately beautiful! Like you, I've been thinking I ought to plant some snowdrops in my garden (we're zone 3)...something to put on my never-ending list! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, you definitely should! I think any plant that blooms early should be included - those little blooms are so welcome as winter finally begins its leave.
DeleteI have my snowflakes in my garden too. But they are smaller than yours. You had a lovely bloom. Love it!!
ReplyDelete