Snowdrop can  rapidly form a lovely border in your garden

 Anemone sylvestris commonly known as ‘Snowdrop’ or ‘Windflower’ is a perennial that can be found blooming now in local landscapes.

They are not hard to find because the white nodding fragrant, flowers rise above the foliage on single stems, and make quite a show. The satiny flowers have 5 petals and the flower is 5 cm in size. It is all white with a yellow centre.

After the long lasting flowers have finished blooming they form fluffy seed heads that are also attractive and add to the landscape. Quite often in the right conditions there is a second smaller flush of flowers in late summer.

Native to Central and Eastern Europe anemone sylvestris is a hardy perennial that grows well in full sun to partial shade but will tolerate full shade. It grows in most soils but does best in a moist well drained soil. They are an easy to grow, low maintenance plant that is deer and rabbit resistant and has very little problems with pest or disease. The one complaint that gardeners may have is that they spread by underground runners and can also sometimes self seed, but it is easily controlled.

The plant grows 30-45 cm tall making it an excellent ground cover forming a dense mat, as well as being used in naturalizing and wilderness gardens. Because it grows in shady areas and is a good naturalizer it can be planted under trees but make sure that it gets enough water as they do not like dry soil. They can be used in a formal garden but you just need to stay on top of keeping them where you want them to grow. We have them growing at home and they are used as a border. If they get out of hand the new plantlets are easy to remove and can be easily transplanted into other areas of the garden.

Transplanting is best done in the spring or fall.When not in bloom the foliage is also attractive, adding texture to the landscape. It forms low mounds of dark green ferny leaves. It is a good companion plant, to plant with bulbs as it covers the dying foliage.

Anemone sylvestris is a great plant to grow anywhere where you want something to grow fast. Once it is planted and established it will look after itself. It is one of those plants that seem to have it all. Low maintenance, easy to grow, pretty fragrant flowers and attractive foliage!

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home  and Garden Centres in Prince George:

• Highway16 West at Kimball Road
• Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road