Where to get Spring Snowflakes, Leucojum

Leucojum by ajay77*

TheGardenLady received this question from Lisa:

I have been looking for spring snowflakes, but can’t find them here in the US. Do you sell them, or know where I might be able to find?

According to the Pacific Bulb Society, “Leucojum is an European genus with species commonly known as “snowflakes” and often regarded as the poor relation of Galanthus with species known as “snowdrops”.  Species are regarded as hardy in the south of England, New Zealand, Australia and the southern states of the USA. Leucojum is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. ”

Beauty... is the shadow of God on the universe. ~Gabriela Mistral, Desolacíon by Abby Lanes

There are numerous nurseries that sell Leucojum. Two that I would recommend are Brent and Becky’s Bulbs and John Scheeper’s Inc.  They are both very fine bulb nurseries and they both sell two kinds of snowflake, Leucojum aestivum and Leucojum aestivum Gravetye Giant.

But they probably do not sell snowflakes at this time of year.  Leucojum have to be planted in the fall for spring flowering.

Scheeper’s fall catalog will come out in early June.

When you order from these nurseries, the bulbs will be shipped to your property at the proper time for planting in your temperature zone.

Good luck. And send TheGardenLady a photo of your snowflakes next spring.

Carolyn Walker’s Garden Catalog

Dear Readers, I am letting you read a letter I received from one of my favorite spring plant gardeners who also sells her plants and has a wonderful catalog – with Latin names – so you can order plants you want for your own home. This is Carolyn’s Shade Gardens.

If you live in or are visiting the area, by all means, visit Carolyn Walker’s home and charmingly delightful garden where you will see every plant she sells, happily growing and you can buy the plants you love seeing on her property. Carolyn’s Shade Garden sells quality plants and this GardenLady recommends them. If you meet Carolyn , tell her you read about her sale on TheGardenLady.

Happy New Year to you and your family!

I am sending out my catalog (here it is CATA2010) early this year to serve as a brief respite from the cold weather we have been experiencing. Curl up by the fire or in bed and enjoy this glimpse of warmer weather to come. I must admit, winter is not my favorite time of year. Even now though, I have plants in bloom: the snowdrop ‘Potter’s Prelude’ and the Christmas rose ‘Jacob’, among others. My gardens provide me with a restful sanctuary from the stresses of daily life and, this year, the difficult economic times we still face. I hope you can also seek solace in your gardens. For a small investment in plants, there is a big reward.

Plants can also be a positive step in sustaining the environment. When I read Doug Tallamy’s book Bringing Nature Home, I finally understood why native plants are not only desirable but crucial to the survival of our world. His book has inspired me to do more to promote native plants. When you read the attached catalogue, you will see that all native plants appear in green so you can easily find them. Look also for plants marked New to read about some exciting introductions to my list.

Please come to Carolyn’s Shade Gardens this spring to see what plants you can add to your own refuge from the cares of the world—your garden.

Enjoy the catalogue,

Carolyn.