Growing Snowdrops (Galanthus) - Where am I Going Wrong?

The weather isn't promising for snowdrops on Sunday ☹

Snowdrops seem to thrive in the places they choose to grow. I've got lots in the garden but if I move some to a different part of the garden (even in the green) they don't seem to do as well. I used to ride through Snowdrop valley on Exmoor, the snowdrops were stunningly beautiful and it was a real delight. This coming Sunday is the last day it is open to visitors and if you are anywhere near Wheddon Cross it is really worth visiting but dress appropriately it will be very muddy.

Your soil type will have an effect on their growth. I had huge clumps in my last garden which had alkaline soil so brought some with me when I moved but they eventually died out. I was then given a clump from a local garden to plant in the green and although they got off to a slow start they are now doing well.

Ours are in front of a fence behind which is a natural hedge so are mainly in the shade, not that there's been much sun lately anyway.
I've never had the courage to split them, perhaps I should.

Poor lime soil here. We also have 100s of wild snowflakes.

I think they like to be left alone once they are planted, unless you want to move some of course.
I planted some in a raised bed under my cordon apple trees and they multiply well. Then I dig up little clumps just after they have flowered and spread them about.
My soil is acid, although I don't know that that matters. It's also quite rich and full of humous and I think that helps.

It was Gardeners Question Time, the panel came to the conclusion that snowdrops don’t like borders with nice tended soil, they prefer the grottier spots in the garden! I noticed a garden nearby which is never tended and is frequently flooded the snowdrops were amazing!

Thinking back to before we moved, I remember that clumps of snowdrops just used to pop up in various places round the garden of our old house, so maybe it isn't just me.

I have never been able to grow dahlias anywhere though.

There was a programme dedicated to growing snowdrops recently on Radio 4.. maybe Gardeners Question time..

Plants seem to have a mind of their own. Like the OP, I thought I couldn't grow them (years of fruitless trying). When we moved, there was a small patch of them behind the new house, I so planted a few more (as dormant bulbs and in the green). All of them survived and multiplied. Something in the soil, maybe?

I have 1000s here- but I just can't grow lilly of the valley. Plants will choose where they grow- if conditions are not right- they are not. Something I have learnt to accept in my 50+ years of gardening in very different conditions.

I must be lucky. I have half a dozen single snowdrops that came up about 3 years ago in my back garden. I don't know how they got there. I didn't plant them.

Do you plant them deep enough? This turned out to be my mistake when I had the same problem with daffodils

I have one lovely small clump of snowdrops which flower every year but it never increases or spreads.

They like living in areas of the garden where there are other shrubs or trees shielding them. You are right to plant them in the green when they have just flowered.

Do you leave them and not cut them back. I leave mine to dry so that the goodness goes back into the bulb.
I bought mine from Woolworths at least 47 years ago and planted them in the front garden. they have multiplied over the years and I have loads of clumps all out in bloom at the moment. I do nothing with them. I wouldn't know what variety they are now. I don't feed them either.
I hope someone can perhaps give you some more tips.