There are no signs of daffs or snowdrops yet! Is this to be expected?

PeterJarvis · January 2023

although there are both bulbs in the garden, I can't even see where they were last year. Should they be showing yet or do I need to wait?

Dovefromabove · January 2023

My earliest varieties of snowdrop are only just beginning to make an appearance ... they're later than usual ... I think the long dry summer followed by some very cold weather since November means they're going to be a bit later than in recent years.

Busy-Lizzie · January 2023

My snowdrops are just showing white tips and daffodils are 6" tall, Norfolk.

nutcutlet · January 2023

Some of my snowdrops are out, some are invisible. I have also Narcissi out and some not appeared yet.

Fairygirl · January 2023

What daffs did you have @PeterJarvis? Were they early ones, or March/April time?
Mine are all showing through - various heights, but they're all the latter. Snowdrops are coming through as normal, at about an inch or so in height, although I don't think mine are the bog standard ones. I've seen some in other gardens which are a bit further on.
If you had drought conditions last year, as @Dovefromabove suggests, that could have affected them quite badly, as both are happiest with decent moisture.
They may have shrivelled if your soil is lighter, or been dug up - squirrels etc. The latter is less likely for daffs though.

punkdoc · January 2023

With your southern location, I would have expected some signs of life by now.
As others have said, last years drought is probably to blame.
Nothing to do, but wait and see.

Hostafan1 · January 2023

not unusual to have some in flower by now in Devon, but I've seen none yet this year

bédé · January 2023

February Gold is the earliest that I, personaly, have bought. Of course, it usually flowers in March.

In the Wisley car park a few years ago, I found a dropped paper bag with 2 enormous Ice Follies bulbs inside. I planted these on the edge of my bluebell wood. They don't look good naturalised, so I pick them immediately and bring them into the house.

They are now up and open. On a frosty night the stems bend down and slugs eat the flowers. (Slugs never seem to take the long route, up a stem.). Result, more material for the compost heap.

This frost damage, but also rain and wind, also affects the plantings of large-headed daffs that predate my purchases. Naturalised bulbs have to look, well, natural. But if I get up early there are plenty of flowers for the house. I can't smell them in the garden, but they are wonderful indoors at nose height.

Fairygirl · January 2023

If anything, the daffs are all very early here, but it was very mild again through autumn, and winter hasn't been that cold either. Snowdrops rarely start appearing before end of January.
Hopefully, @PeterJarvis's aren't all 'done'. That would be a shame. They're always such a nice sight on a dull, dreich, manky day, in particular.

Dovefromabove · January 2023

There were two possible 'February Golds' in bloom on a sunny sheltered bank in a rural spot about a mile away a week ago ... but here in a more sheltered almost suburban village, I've not seen any daffs out yet.

punkdoc · January 2023

Rijnvelds Early Sensation, is usually the earliest commonly available Narcissus to flower, although Cedric Morris is earlier, it is hard to get hold of.

There are no signs of daffs or snowdrops yet! Is this to be expected?

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