I’m ready, are you?
Considering our frigid weather, it’s hard to believe that we’ll soon see the emergence of a several spring bulbs. One of them, Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.), has charming white bell-shaped flowers and are the heralds of spring.
The most familiar snowdrop, G. nivalis, grows 4-6 inches tall whereas G. elwesii or giant snowdrops (1875) reach 8 inches in height. Several cultivars have multi-petaled flowers.
Most of the 20 members of their genus are native to a large area of Europe; however, a few hail from the Mediterranean.
Their seeds contain a small tail containing a substance attractive to ants which distribute the seeds. Typically, they are propagated by offset bulbs, but professionals and keen amateurs reproduce them by a process known as ‘twin scaling.”
The cheerful, six-pedaled, yellow flowers of extra early Winter Aconite (Eranthis cilicica) are akin to cups of sunshine. A spring ephemeral, their 1 to 1 1/2 flowers grow atop finely cut leaves (“jester’s collars”) and appear 3 inches above the ground to conserve heat. Unharmed by fresh snow, they grow well in full sun to shade, multiply rapidly and prefer well-drained, poor soil.
Hellebores (Helleborus spp.), which bridge the seasons from winter to spring, have long-lasting flowers and often change hues as they mature.
An easy-to-grow, shade-loving perennial, they grow in clumps and reach 12 to 24 inches tall and sport 1-2 inch cup-shaped flowers. Many species within the genus have evergreen foliage.
The results of recent hybridizing has vastly expanded their color range to include slate-grey, near black, deep purple and plum, red and pink and yellow, white and green flowers.
Ed Myers is an Advanced Master Gardener and a Past President of the Irvington Garden Club. He is the Club’s Steward of both the Benton House Historic and Kile Oak Habitat Gardens. He is also the President of the Garfield Park Master Gardener Association. His e-mail address is EMyers3670@aol.com
