snowdrops?

[aquilegia]

My 'snowdrops' have multiple flowers on them and they flower from early Febish to May. I've been trying to work out what variety they are - any ideas?

They might be wild ones (do they exist?) As I doubt anyone bothered to plant them.

They smell like spring onions - is that normal?

[philcooper]

They sound a bit like wild garlic to me, any chance of a photo?

[Mrs Ava]

I agree, sound like wild garlic.  I planted some in my mums garden years ago, and altho pretty, it spread like crazy and on a warm spring morn, the fresh dew like air was filled with the scent of onions.  

Sorry, just thought I would add.....did you buy the snowdrops or were they in the garden when you arrived?

[aquilegia]

Interesting thought - Would that have a garlic-like bulb at the bottom? as they don't.

No chance of a photo just yet - I have an old fashioned film camera, so would have to wait to develop and scan in.

I'll see if I can find a pic of wild garlic on the net and compare!

[Mrs Ava]

Nope, not garlic bulb, just normal little creamy coloured bulb.

[aquilegia]

I didn't buy any snowdrops - they were there when we moved in. Spreads about very rapidly.

I don't think it's wild garlic after lookign at some pics on the net. flowers face downwards not upwards like the garlic ones I found. Also are not on as long a stem. The bulbs look pretty much the same as bluebell bulbs.

confused!

[Tenuse]

do the flowers have a little green "ouline" in the central drooping part? (don't quite know how to describe this!)

Or perhaps they are "snowflakes" which come out a bit later than snowdrops?

Go to www.google.co.uk and click on the Images tab, then do a search for both and see what you find!

Ten x

[aquilegia]

Ten - had a look (thanks) no green bit as shown on the snowflakes.

[philcooper]

Now you tell us - the flowers are dangly down - not pointy up!!!

The suggestion to look at web piccies seems good - I've looked in RHS Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers and all dangly down small white flowers at this time of year are snowdrop or snowflake.

A good website is http://www.broadleighbulbs.co.uk/plantlistpages/snowdrops.htm

takes a bit to download as there are lots of snowdrop pics

You could try Wisley - they have a national collection of snowdrops see http://www.rhs.org.uk/research/plant_groups/ncgalanthus.asp

[Mrs Ava]

Just a thought, I have dangly down ones (the doctor mentioned a good plastic surgeon...heheheh) and they are little mini aliums that I bought last year.  Possible maybe  

[aquilegia]

This has certainly given me a lot of food for thought. I shall go and remind myself what they look like this evening (if it's light enough) as I've now looked at so many snowdrops today, I've forgotten what mine look like!

[Muddy_Boots]

Iz now thoroughly confused    Do you mean what I thought were double snowdrops might be something else altogether - going back to hide somewhere  

[aquilegia]

Mudz - you're confused, I'm confused, I think everyone's confused!

[Muddy_Boots]

At least I iz in good hands then  

[Garden Manager]

I was going to suggest 'Snowflakes' (sorry forgotten the scientific name). They have taller flower stems than snowdrops with small white bell flowers on the top a bit like snow drops but different. Then again you say they dont look like pics you have found of snowflakes on the net??

(pause)

(Eureka Moment)        

I've just hada brainwave!

The flowers could be Scillas (bluebell family). There is a variety of Scilla with white flowers in multiple heads (just like you said).  If you can find a pic online and compare with yours, we could be onto something here. Tell you what Aqui, I'll have a look around myself - see what i can come up with

[Garden Manager]

Aqui - I hope this helps, I found a bit on white scillas (or squills as they are also called. It includes a photo to compare with your plants.  The more i think about it the more I am conviced that this is what your plant is. The flowering period is about right (I have a few of my own - also naturally occuring and not planted by me)

http://www.paghat.com/scilla_alba.html

[aquilegia]

Dorset - the flowers sure do look right, but I'm not sure about the leaves. (great pic, by the way!)

It was far too cold and dark to look at them yesterday evening when I got home, so I'm going to have to keep you all in suspenders over the weekend!

[Garden Manager]

The leaves can probably vary form variety to variety, Aqui.  Its the flowers that give the greatest clue to these things.

Cant think what else it can be if it isnt a type of squill (scilla)  

[aquilegia]

Having studied the mystery plant very closely over the weekend (between snow showers anyway!) I'm pretty certain in saying, I think you've hit the nail on the head Richard! (I was wrong about the leaves - I'd misremembered. THey are like that!)

[Garden Manager]

I am DELIGHTED to hear that aqui!