From our perspective, we are woodland and meadow plants at heart. We naturally thrive in conditions that mimic our native habitats. This means we prefer a location with dappled sunlight or partial shade, especially beneath deciduous trees. The canopy of these trees provides us with ideal conditions: we receive the full sun we need to grow and flower in late winter and early spring before the trees have leafed out. Once the canopy fills in, it creates the cool, shaded environment we prefer for our post-bloom period. Well-drained soil is non-negotiable for us; our bulbs are prone to rot in heavy, waterlogged clay. A rich, humusy soil that retains moisture without becoming soggy is perfect.
The best time to plant our bulbs is in the autumn, ideally from September to early November, while we are dormant. We need to be planted at a depth roughly three times our own height. For most of our varieties, this means about 3 to 4 inches deep. Please place us with the pointed end facing upwards. We naturalize best when planted in groups or drifts rather than in single lines. A good method is to dig a larger trench or hole and place several of us together, spacing us about 3 inches apart. This allows us to form a satisfying clump more quickly. If you are planting us "in the green" (just after flowering while our leaves are still active), handle us gently and plant us at the same depth we were growing previously, watering us in well to settle the roots.
Our life cycle is precisely timed. We emerge and flower in the coldest months, taking advantage of the unique window before most other plants awaken. After our delicate white flowers have faded, our foliage remains. This is a critical period for us. Our leaves are solar panels, absorbing energy from the sun to be stored in our bulbs for next year's growth. It is vital that you do not cut back our foliage until it has yellowed and died back naturally, usually by late spring. Tying our leaves in knots is also unhelpful, as it drastically reduces the surface area available for photosynthesis. Simply let us be until we retreat back into the earth for our summer dormancy.
We are generally low-maintenance plants once established. We do not require frequent division, but if a clump becomes too crowded and flowering diminishes, you can lift and divide us. The best time for this is just after our foliage has died back, or when we are planted "in the green." Gently lift the clump, separate the bulbs, and replant them immediately at the proper depth. We appreciate a top dressing of well-rotted compost or leaf mould in the autumn, which provides nutrients and helps maintain soil moisture and structure. We have few pest problems, though squirrels may sometimes disturb newly planted bulbs.
