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Soil mates : Snowdrops

From The Times, February 17, 2007

1 With Black Lilyturf: Galanthus gracilis, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'

 This contemporary design classic of pure white flowers emerging from matt black strappy foliage exploits the drama of tonal extremes.

The slender, linear thrust of Galanthus gracilis punctuates the black grass and lifts an otherwise dark, flat scheme. You could also use Galanthus ikariae (which is more suitable for drier situations) or my favourite, Galanthus 'S. Arnott', which flowers freely and increases easily.

In the autumn, it's worth planting some tulips — I like the maroon Tulipa 'Recreado', which creates a suspended sea of colour against the black, once the snowdrops are over.

Soil Mates : Snowdrops
Snowdrops with arum and cornus
Snowdrops with stipa tenuissima
How to grow Snowdrops

Garden designer, plant expert and gardening writer Alice Bowe writes a regular planting design column for the Times

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