by George Papadelis

The very first bulb to cheerfully announce spring is the snowdrop. As the last winter snow melts, carpets of delicate white flowers emerge through last year’s fallen leaves. Snowdrops will reliably return year after year despite Mother Nature’s most challenging winters. The botanical name, Galanthus, comes from the Greek words Gala meaning “milk” and anthos meaning “flower.” They will thrive in the rich, moist soil usually found in the shade provided by deciduous trees. Few bulbs can tolerate shade, but snowdrops develop in the winter sun well before the leaves of trees and shrubs have expanded. Their flowers last for several weeks beginning in early March and persisting through the cool days of spring in early April. Once planted, Galanthus require no maintenance.

One of the most treasured features of this easy-to-grow perennial is its ability to propagate on its own and develop into large masses. It is this trait that gives snowdrops the label “good naturalizer.” Many other popular bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths, and alliums flower beautifully the first few seasons, but eventually weaken and disappear. Galanthus may be left undisturbed for years to form large, densely packed colonies.

The most readily available bulbs are those of Galanthus nivalis or common snowdrop. Its flowers of 3 nodding bells are 1 inch long and white, surrounding smaller petals bearing a hint of green. Height may vary from 4 to 8 inches. The giant snowdrop or Galanthus elwesii has flowers up to 2 inches long and grows up to 12 inches tall. Many varieties exist with minor variations in flower size, color, and form. Galanthus nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’ produces interesting double flowers that can only be appreciated by closely admiring them at ground level. Galanthus nivalis ‘Sam Arnott’ grows vigorously and produces extra large flowers. All snowdrop flowers bear a faint honey fragrance that increases as the colony expands. If the early season ground is not too frozen, a small division may be dug and potted indoors for a fragrant sampling of spring glory.

Snowdrop bulbs are always available in fall and are very inexpensive. Bulbs should be planted in drifts of 25 or more for the best show. For that “natural” look, the best way to space bulbs is to toss them on the soil and plant them where they land. Work in organic matter such as compost, sphagnum peat moss, or aged pine bark and bury bulbs 3 inches deep. After a few seasons, clumps may be lifted after flowering and divided into sections of 3 to 4 bulbs for replanting. Plant them in a rock garden, as an edging plant, under trees, or along a woodland path or border.

Snowdrops flower at a time when few other plants are in bloom. The bright yellow blossoms of winter aconite (Eranthis) are an exception that will thrive alongside snowdrops. Hellebores, or lenten roses, also come into bloom this early. Their large, coarse leaves and showy flowers would certainly benefit from an underplanting of Galanthus. Of course, the showiest companion for any spring bulb is the pansy. When planted in the fall, pansies will bloom until the holidays and begin again at the first hint of warm weather.

Snowdrops may also be forced to bloom indoors ahead of their outdoor schedule. Using well-drained soil, plant bulbs 1/2 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart in a 6 inch pot. Water and store in a garage or refrigerator where temperatures can be maintained between 35 and 45 degrees for 8 to 10 weeks. Snowdrops will bloom 2 to 3 weeks after moving to a warm, brightly lit location. Plant outdoors when flowering is complete and wait for a repeat performance next spring!

Galanthus nivalis (guh-LAN-thuss nih-VAHL-iss)

Common name: Snowdrop
Plant type: Bulb
Plant size: 4-12 inches tall and wide
Hardiness: Zone 4
Flower color: White
Flower size: 1-2 inches long
Bloom period: March-early April
Leaf color: Bluish-green
Leaf size: 4-6 inches long; 1/4-1 inch wide
Light: Partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, rich, moist soil
Uses: Woodland garden or path, rock garden, underneath deciduous trees
Remarks: The first bulb to announce that spring has nearly arrived! Good naturalizer, as it forms clumps that increase in size to form larger masses. Since bulbs are small and inexpensive, plant in drifts of a couple dozen or more.

George Papadelis is the owner of Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy, MI.

Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum ‘Gateway’)As the hot days of summer succumb to the cool, crisp season that is fall, many gardeners choose to take advantage of this great weather for outdoor projects. Of course mums and black-eyed Susans will dominate many landscapes each September, but the huge palette of late performers is sorely overlooked and certainly deserves closer examination. Although there are many fall-blooming plants available, most remain severely underused; far fewer gardeners visit garden centers in the fall and those that do rarely make it past the mums, pansies, and spring-blooming bulbs.

Photo courtesy W. Atlee Burpee & Co.
Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’Great varieties of asters, anemones, pink turtleheads, toad lilies, sedum, and of course ornamental grasses are loaded with colorful flowers or beautifully textured foliage. Eupatorium maculatum (or fistulosum) or Joe Pye weed, adds large, stately flowers, a robust growth habit, and durability to your fall plant choices.

Joe Pye weed is native to North America, but is more commonly used in the finest gardens of Europe. In more dry and less fertile conditions, plants may only grow to 4 or 5 feet, but moist, fertile soil will produce plants up to 8 feet tall. Its pinkish purple flowers are produced in clusters that form larger clusters reaching up to 18 inches across. Large green leaves are attached to rich burgundy stems resulting in a striking contrast of colors on each stalk. Plants prefer full or partial sun where the stems grow strong and rarely require staking. If extensive soil preparation isn’t your cup of tea, Joe Pye weed may be the plant for you. It thrives in the moist, heavy soil conditions that are typical in our mostly clay Michigan gardens. It is long-lived and extremely durable; last year a specimen in our display garden was mistaken for a weed and almost completely removed. It grew back this year and is now covered with large flowers that butterflies and bees find irresistible. Eupatorium spreads slowly but may eventually overstep its boundaries. This can be controlled in spring by dividing the whole clump or simply removing outside sections of the plant’s crown.

Joe Pye weed’s massive size makes it perfect to use in the back of a border. Combine it with other large, late bloomers that have contrasting colors, flower forms, and foliage. Try the blue, pink, or purple flowers of asters, especially the taller varieties like ‘Alma Potschke,’ ‘Patricia Ballard,’ and ‘Sailor Boy.’ The huge flowers of hardy hibiscus are available in red, pink, or white. Try the new pink-flowered variety of hibiscus called ‘Copper King;’ it’s one of the best new plants for 2000. Some rudbeckia varieties can also provide equally large plants and brightly contrasting yellow or gold flowers. For a great foliage contrast, try the silver leaves and lavender-blue flowers of Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). Position the massive architectural foliage of plume poppy (Macleaya cordata) next to Joe Pye weed for a great combination of flowers and foliage. Don’t forget ornamental grasses; some of the larger types like switch grass, feather reed grass, or maiden grass would provide contrasting foliage and winter interest.

In your front yard where only the tidiest and most multi-seasonal plants are useful, Joe Pye weed may have a place. Its large size and controllable vigor work well in combination with common shrubs. Its flowers fill the need for a sizable fall-blooming plant where only rose of Sharon, summersweet, butterfly bush, and blue mist shrub are common. Other tidy and multi-seasonal perennials for the front yard include upright sedum, daylilies, hostas, ornamental grasses, and of course, groundcovers.

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Eupatorium maculatumFor a sturdier, more compact Joe Pye weed, the variety of choice is ‘Gateway,’ topping out at 4 to 5 feet in height. There are two other species of Eupatorium that are worth mentioning. Hardy ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum) has blue ageratum-like flowers on 2 to 3 foot tall plants. Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’ has insignificant white flowers, but beautiful brown leaves on 3 to 4 foot tall plants. This foliage is incredible when contrasted with other gold, red, silver, or even green leaves. These two varieties, like Joe Pye weed, will tolerate moist heavy soil, are very hardy, and prefer full or partial sun, although ‘Chocolate’ will take some shade.

As fall approaches please remember that the gardening season is far from over. Gardening becomes even more enjoyable and plants tolerate being moved more easily when temperatures are cooler. Take a moment to evaluate your landscape and see where fall interest is needed and perhaps try Eupatorium to add height, texture, and architectural interest to your garden.

 George Papadelis is the owner of Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy, Michigan.