Friend or Foe

Lucas

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Hi All
Just wondering if this is a friend or foe
We have something similar around the area (St Andrews Victoria) that is invasive
Any information would be appreciated

D7D2B2BE-4696-46DA-B150-46E41C5E781D.jpeg
Cheers
Lucas
 
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Marika

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It is a variety of Galanthus sorry - Leucojum Vernum Vagneri - or Snow Drop. Such a pretty bulb and sell very well in nurseries and Bunnings.
They look great planted en masse, better in a border or around rockeries.They’re usually late winter flowerers but like yours ours are flowering now :)
They do multiply but generally stay in their clump so not invasive.
We have them everywhere and I’ve lifted several hundred to utilise the space for other things. If you do want to move them they transplant well when dormant like all bulbs, and I’ve had success with them transplanted with greens on top!
Their foliage does grow very quickly as their season ends - just before they start to turn brown, and they can look a little scruffy as they spread out and die back. I cut mine back at this stage and they come back happy as ever every year.
Hope this helps

Cheers.
 
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nzmitzi

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That is Leucojum Vernum Vagneri - common name Snowflakes or Snowdrops.
Not to be confused with a similar one which is commonly known as onion weed.
From a distance they look the same or very similar. Both are invasive.

Onion weed is edible the flowers, the stems and the bulb.


Flower.Low.Leucojum VernumVagneri.Snowflakes.jpg
Weed.AlliumTriquetrum.OnionWeed.jpg
 

Marika

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That is Leucojum Vernum Vagneri - common name Snowflakes or Snowdrops.
Not to be confused with a similar one which is commonly known as onion weed.
From a distance they look the same or very similar. Both are invasive.
Yikes, I’ve mixed them up, you are right it is not Galanthus!
But I still wouldn’t class them as invasive - they stay pretty well in their clumps and if they spread it is very slowly!
 

nzmitzi

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In my temperate climate - they are invasive.... they might not be for you.

The reason why I recognised it is that I have been documenting all the flowers in my garden as I'm not good at remembering names of flowers, because they don't really interest me. Veges and fruit and edibles on the other hand I do remember.
 

Marika

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I’m in temperate Australia and they are really easy to maintain here, it could be location!
Great idea documenting your flower names :)
 
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Marika

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In my temperate climate - they are invasive.... they might not be for you.
The Onion weed is a shocker here and was the bane of my existence for many years. I’ve almost got it all out thank goodness!
 

Geo

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Hi All
Just wondering if this is a friend or foe
We have something similar around the area (St Andrews Victoria) that is invasive
Any information would be appreciated

View attachment 4840
Cheers
Lucas

We have a lot of these in Europe... it's not invasive here, one bush rarely branches out. They are one of the first (or the very first) flower to bloom after the winter - hence the name, considered to be "the last snow drops" before Spring. We generally consider it a sign of good fortune and a wonderful Spring messenger to have.
 

nzmitzi

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The Onion weed is a shocker here and was the bane of my existence for many years. I’ve almost got it all out thank goodness!
Hi Marika,
have you thought about eating that Onion weed? The flowers are really nice in a salad as they are not too strong in flavour. They also go well added at the last minute (like a garnish) in a soup or stew or casseroll.
 

nzmitzi

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We have a lot of these in Europe... it's not invasive here,
Hi Geo,
most plants aren't invasive in their native country, although they are persistant! Lots of plants that are taken to other countries become invasive if the climate is just perfect for them. One really invasive plant we have here in NZ is Gorse from Scotland.

Edit: I think Gorse is from Scotland.... have to check on that now!
 
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Marika

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Hi Marika,
have you thought about eating that Onion weed? The flowers are really nice in a salad as they are not too strong in flavour. They also go well added at the last minute (like a garnish) in a soup or stew or casseroll.
I really should try them, I’ve been turned off by my annoyance from them I think!
 

Lucas

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We have a lot of these in Europe... it's not invasive here, one bush rarely branches out. They are one of the first (or the very first) flower to bloom after the winter - hence the name, considered to be "the last snow drops" before Spring. We generally consider it a sign of good fortune and a wonderful Spring messenger to have.
Hi Geo
Friends locally have told me not to plant the as there vary invasive in our area
Must love poor soil haha
 
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