How to care for snowdrops after flowering?

Snowdrops: these early blooming little bulbs

Snowdrops belong to the genus Galanthus, in the Amaryllidaceae family. There are around 20 species of snowdrops, mainly originating from Europe and Asia Minor. From the small Galanthus nivalis to the giant Galanthus elwesii, as well as the Galanthus woronowii with its very bright green foliage or the Galanthus plicatus with its pleated leaves, these perennial bulbous plants are particularly appreciated for their ability to bloom from late winter, often in January or February, despite low temperatures and challenging conditions.

Snowdrops are easily recognizable by their pendulous, white bell-shaped flowers, single or double, composed of three longer outer petals and three inner petals marked with a green or yellow spot. Their linear, soft green leaves complete their graceful appearance. These bulbous perennial plants are known for their robustness. They thrive in cool, well-drained, slightly moist soils, preferably rich in humus. Snowdrops prefer semi-shaded locations, often under deciduous trees where they benefit from the winter light before the foliage develops in spring. An overly sunny exposure can dry out the soil, while excess moisture can cause the bulbs to rot. Planting in autumn, between September and November, allows the bulbs to establish well before winter.

The unique feature of snowdrop bulbs lies in their ability to naturalize. Once established, they multiply spontaneously and form beautiful floral carpets over the years. However, to maintain their vigor, some care after flowering is necessary.

Snowdrops can naturalize and form extensive carpets. Here, in association with winter aconite, Eranthis hyemalis

Why maintain snowdrops after flowering?

Maintaining snowdrops after flowering is essential to ensure their vigour and flowering in the following years. Once the flowers have withered, the plant enters a phase of replenishing its nutrient reserves. **The leaves then play a fundamental role: through photosynthesis, they feed the bulb with energy, crucial for preparing the flowering of the following year.** Cutting or mowing the leaves too early would compromise this energy reserve, weakening the plant and reducing future flowering. It is therefore imperative to leave the foliage in place until it dries naturally, even if it starts to shrivel.

Once the flowering of snowdrops is over, you can leave the foliage to wither naturally. This allows the plant to store energy for the next growing season. Avoid cutting the leaves until they have turned yellow. You can also divide the clumps of snowdrops if they become overcrowded, usually every 3-5 years. This will help rejuvenate the plants and promote better flowering.

Once the flowering of snowdrops is over, it is essential to gently accompany them to ensure their vigorous return the following year. Here are the essential steps to take care of your snowdrops:

• Do not cut the leaves too early: Snowdrop leaves play an essential role after flowering. The leaves continue to produce energy through photosynthesis, which will be stored in the bulb to support the flowering the following year. It is important to let the leaves yellow naturally before cutting them. This process can take several weeks, but it is essential.
• Remove faded flowers: To prevent the plant from unnecessarily expending energy in seed formation and to avoid spontaneous sowing, it is advisable to remove faded flowers. This also helps maintain a clean and tidy appearance in your garden.
• Fertilization and watering: In autumn, snowdrops will naturally awaken, ready to start their cycle again. This is when you can resume regular watering and add some compost or fertilizer to encourage them. Only snowdrops grown in pots require regular watering. You can enrich the soil with organic fertilizer. This helps the bulbs regenerate and store nutrients for the next flowering.
• Once everything is in place, snowdrops manage very well on their own! No need to dig them up for winter, unless you want to divide the bulbs to multiply your plants (which is best done in spring or autumn, but not just before winter).

How to prepare snowdrops for summer dormancy?

These delicate flowers, which brighten the end of winter, disappear underground once the beautiful season arrives. Here’s how to accompany them so they come back in full form the following year:

Don’t overwater

Once the leaves start to turn yellow, gradually reduce watering. Snowdrops don’t like excess moisture during their summer dormancy. Gray rot, caused by excess water, could attack the bulbs. Well-drained soil maintains their vigor and slows down the spread of this fungus. However, if your soil is very dry, especially in case of heatwaves, a light watering can be beneficial.

Clean the soil

Once the foliage is completely dry, you can gently cut it. Also, remove any plant debris around the bulbs to prevent diseases and keep the soil clean. This step also helps aerate the soil.

To mulch or not to mulch?

If your snowdrops are in the ground, there is no need to mulch for the summer. But if your plants are exposed to scorching sun, you can add a thin layer of mulch (dead leaves, bark…) to keep the soil cool and protect the bulbs from excessive heat.

Consider dividing the bulbs

Summer is an excellent time to divide the bulbs, especially if your clumps of snowdrops become too dense or if their flowering has decreased. Over time, snowdrops form thicker clumps. Every three to five years, when the foliage turns yellow, it’s time to divide the large clumps to maintain good vigour. Here’s how to proceed:

• Once the leaves are completely faded, gently unearth the bulbs.
• Separate the daughter bulbs from the mother bulb.
• Replant them immediately in well-drained soil, about 8-10 cm deep.

How to store snowdrop bulbs?

If you wish to move or divide your snowdrops, here are the steps to follow:

• Transplanting after flowering: Snowdrops are ideally moved “in the green”, meaning just after flowering when the foliage is still present. Gently unearth the snowdrop bulbs, taking care not to damage the roots.
• Bulb storage: If you cannot replant them immediately, clean the bulbs and let them dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Once dry, store them in a paper bag or a box filled with dry sand. Keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place until replanting in the autumn.
• Replanting: In the autumn, replant the bulbs about 5 to 10 cm deep, with a distance of 5 to 10 cm between each bulb. Ensure you choose well-drained soil to prevent bulb rot.

Do snowdrops need **pruning**?

No, snowdrops should not be pruned after flowering. It is important to leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and dries out naturally. This foliage is essential as it allows the bulb to replenish its nutrient reserves for good flowering the following year.

However, you can cut the faded floral stems (the scapes) to prevent the plant from using energy to produce seeds. This slight intervention helps to focus resources on the bulb without harming its health.

In summary:

• Yes, faded flowers can be cut.
• No, the foliage should not be pruned until it is completely dry.