Snowdrop Galanthus 'Lapwing'

Water

Snowdrops, including the variety 'Lapwing', should be watered moderately during their growing season in the late winter to spring. Since they are dormant in the summer, they require less water during this time. During the growing season, ensure the soil remains moist but not soggy, watering with about 1-2 gallons per week depending on soil conditions and climate. Always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to avoid overwatering. It’s best to water snowdrops deeply to encourage root growth, rather than frequent light watering.

Light

Snowdrops, such as the 'Lapwing' variety, prefer partial shade to full sun conditions. Ideally, they should be planted in a spot that receives morning sunlight and is shaded in the afternoon, especially in areas with hotter climates. Too much intense sunlight can lead to leaf burn, while too little can reduce flowering. They thrive under deciduous trees that provide dappled sunlight, which mimics their natural woodland habitat.

Temperature

Snowdrops like 'Lapwing' are cold-hardy and can tolerate winter temperatures as low as 10°F, which can even trigger the flowering process. However, they prefer to grow in temperatures ranging from 30°F to 53°F during the active growing season. These conditions are optimal for their growth and can lead to abundant flowering. Snowdrops are less tolerant of high heat, and sustained temperatures over 75°F can be detrimental to their health.

Pruning

Pruning is not generally required for snowdrops like 'Lapwing' as they are small, bulbous plants. However, after flowering, it's beneficial to remove the spent flower heads to redirect energy back to the bulb for next year's growth. The foliage should be left to die back naturally, as it helps replenish nutrients in the bulb for the following season. Pruning, in the traditional sense, isn't necessary unless you need to remove damaged or diseased foliage.

Cleaning

Not needed

Soil

Snowdrop 'Lapwing' thrives in well-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH of around 6.5 to 7. The best soil mix consists of loamy soil, peat or leaf mold, and sharp sand or grit to improve drainage. It's crucial to avoid waterlogged conditions, which can be lethal to the bulbs.

Repotting

Snowdrops, in general, do not require frequent repotting and prefer to be left undisturbed. However, if Galanthus 'Lapwing' is grown in a pot, it should be repotted every 3-4 years, or when the container is visibly crowded with bulbs.

Humidity & Misting

Galanthus 'Lapwing' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not have special humidity requirements. Normal outdoor humidity levels are suitable for Snowdrops, and they do well in the varying conditions of a typical garden setting.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure bright, cool conditions and moist soil for indoor Snowdrops.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade, enriched soil, ensuring adequate drainage.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Galanthus 'Lapwing', commonly known as 'Lapwing' snowdrop, emerges in late winter to early spring with narrow, strap-shaped leaves and distinct flowers composed of three outer petals and smaller, uniquely marked inner petals. As a bulbous perennial, it completes its above-ground growth cycle in the spring, during which it flowers and then produces foliage. After flowering, the plant sets seed, which may be dispersed by ants attracted to a food-rich appendage on the seed. Through the late spring, the foliage photosynthesizes energy, which is stored in the underground bulb for next year’s growth cycle. During the summer, the plant enters a period of dormancy, with the leaves withering away, and the bulb resting underground. When the temperature cools and the days shorten in the fall, the bulb is triggered to initiate new leaf growth, preparing for the next cycle of flowering in the late winter.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early Spring

• Galanthus 'Lapwing', commonly known as Snowdrop 'Lapwing', is typically propagated by dividing its bulbs, a method known as bulb chipping. The best time to propagate Snowdrops by bulb chipping is when the foliage starts to yellow and die back, usually in late spring to early summer after the plant has flowered. To propagate by this method, carefully lift the clump of bulbs and gently separate the individual bulbs. Each bulb can potentially be chipped into sections as long as each section has a portion of the basal plate from which roots grow. These sections are then planted about 3 inches (approximately 7.6 centimeters) deep and spaced around 3 inches apart in well-drained soil with moderate moisture. This technique allows gardeners to create many new plants from a single bulb, multiplying their stock of Snowdrops over time.