Snowdrops and Cyclamen coum
I many snowdrops and have decided to add some Cyclamen coum to the mix to create some lovely winter displays. I want it to look natural. How do I go about creating the 'natural' effect I am after?
I can never get my planting schemes looking as if mother nature herself had created it.
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I find grouping things separately in several different sized groups helps with the natural look. Of course, nature takes it's own course after that, but it's a good start as bulbs and corms tend to colonise areas, spreading outwards from random single starting points in nature (eg from where a bird drops a seed.)
Snowdrops and Cyclamen coum like different conditions. Galanthus like a shady position where the soil stays damp even in Summer. C. coum like a sunny position and do not mind if they dry out in Summer. Too wet for them and they will rot.
In our Wood we have Snowdrops and C. hederifolium. Obviously they do not flower at the same time.
We also have Corydails solida in with the Snowdrops. Now there are pink/red forms of this and they do flower at the same time as Snowdrops and like pretty much the same growing conditions.
Last edited: 15 January 2017 20:36:54
Ants will spread the cyclamen seeds so they will pop up around the area.
Thanks all.
BobTheGardener - I will bear in mind your explanation when planting. Makes sense, why I didn't think of that on my own is anyone's guess
Berghill - I find that snowdrops (G. nivalis) do well in the sun here and note the only difference is that those on the shadier side of the garden flower later. Then again, I am in Scotland so we tend to use the term 'sun' loosely. I had no idea that C. coum and C. hederafolium prefer such differing conditions. That would explain why I've had so many C. coum fail on me. I grow a few Corydalis solidas already but don't have them with the snowdrops. Thanks for the suggestion.
Aym280 - my attempts at scattering to create a natural effect leave a lot to be desired but I can but try again!
Joyce21 - oddly enough I find the Cyclamen (C. hederafolium) don't spread themselves around. Ants are rarely seen here in my garden and are only around to enjoy the sticky stuff on the peony buds and swiftly disperse again.