How to plant Puschkinia bulbs

Puschkinia

Puschkinia (or Russian Snowdrops) are fully hardy will be fine outdoors without frost protection throughout winter. They should be planted between September and late November for best results. If you’re not ready to plant them as soon as you receive them, you can store them in a cool, dry place for a short while. They may start to deteriorate from late November onwards so it is best to get them planted before then - they won’t store until the following year.

— Puschkinia bulbs can be planted directly outside in borders or patio containers.

— If you have a heavy soil or soil with a high clay content, it is a good idea to incorporate plenty of compost and some grit or sand prior to planting to aid drainage.

— If planting in containers, we recommend using peat-free multipurpose compost.

— Choose a position in full sun or partial/dappled shade.

— Plant the bulbs around 10-15cm deep with the pointed side facing upwards.

— Space the bulbs around 5-10cm apart from each other or slightly closer in pots. If planting in groups or natural clusters, you can dig a wide, shallow planting area and scatter the bulbs into it, then cover over with soil.

— If the soil is very dry, it’s a good idea to water them in after planting to settle them. They will not require any further watering through winter unless it is very mild and the soil becomes dry. They will only require water in spring if it is warm and the soil is dry.

— Leave the bulbs planted in the ground throughout the year. After flowering, allow the leaves and stem to fully die back or turn yellow before removing it – whilst it is still green it is feeding the bulb for next year. The stems and leaves are small and may not need to be removed at all unless they look untidy.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDec
  • Planting
  • Flowering

Gracy's tips: Russian snowdrops

"Despite their obvious merits, few gardeners know them, but you'll be making your acquaintance with them this coming spring, and you’ll be delighted to know that they're real perennials that keep coming back over the years."

Planting instructions