The sight of the first nodding snowdrop in early spring give us all a happy boost as it indicates that the new year is in full throttle and the dormant months of winter are behind us. Appearing as early as late December, this tough little perennial, even though dainty, is well equipped to cope with the harsh conditions of winter, having even adapted tough tips to its leaves in order to break through the frost-hardened soil. In sheltered areas of urban parks, gardens or woodland, look out for carpets of white created by this early flowering bulb, usually nestled in amongst mats of Crocuses and Daffodils or standing solitary underneath trees or shrubs. This cheeky non-native gives the first insects, which emerge from hibernation at the beginning of the year, a valuable food resource, and supplies a much needed nectar intake for species such as honeybees.
Latin name: Galanthus nivalis
Identification
- Plant Height: Up to 7-15cms in height
- Leaves: Roughly 5mm wide, 20cms in length and a bluey-green colour.
- Flowers: Familiar white, nodding flowers which are solitary at the end of the stem. The flowers are roughly 15cms in length and consist of 3 outer petals, which are brilliant white and 3 inner petals which, again, are brilliant white but have green segments near the end of the petal.
- Habitat found: Woodland, gardens, graveyards and any other shady, moist areas of habitat.
- Flowering time: January – April
- Attracts: Honeybees and wasps
In The Garden
Most snowdrops are vigorous growers and are easy to look after, creating vast clumps of foliage and self-seeding with ease. Having to cope with wintery conditions, snowdrops are hardy and prefer partial shade such as under trees in relatively well-drained, moist soil.
Did you know?
Snowdrops were thought to be introduced by the Romans, but experts have come to the conclusion, after much research, that our white, woodland bloom was introduced to the UK much later, around the 1500’s. It has also been thought that as snowdrops frequently occur on religious sites, throughout the UK, that it is connected to Christianity, especially as it’s flowering period coincides with Christmas and vast clumps of snowdrops frequent churchyards and monastic grounds.