Plant Profile: 𝐒𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬

Galanthus nivalis, commonly known as the snowdrop (or ‘Shame-faced maiden; in Wiltshire), is a perennial bulbous plant that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is native to Europe and the Middle East, and is widely cultivated in gardens and parks across the world. The first records of the snowdrop growing wild in Britain hark back to the 1770s.

The plant has narrow linear leaves and produces a single white flower that hangs from a slender stem. The flower has six petals, three inner and three outer, and is surrounded by a green ovary.

The snowdrop has a rich social history and is associated with hope and purity. It is one of the first plants to emerge from the cold winter soil, and has been used as a symbol of the coming of spring and the end of winter. The plant has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including headaches, fever, and joint pain.

There are several varieties of Galanthus nivalis, including the ‘Flore Pleno’, which has double flowers, and the ‘Viridapice’, which has green-tipped petals. The snowdrop has also been the subject of mythology and folklore and is said to have been created by the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas.

Said to be best planted ‘in the green’, rather than dormant bulbs, the snowdrop is known to attract bees and other insects, and is an important source of early-season nectar and pollen. It is also a valuable food source for small mammals such as voles and mice.

Galanthophiles, those that collect snowdrops, have been known to bid into the hundreds for just a single bulb, with the world’s most expensive snowdrop bulb being sold for £1,850 in 2012. The Golden Fleece snowdrop took 18 years to develop and holds the record for a single bulb, which was sold for £1,390.

In conclusion, Galanthus nivalis is a beautiful and fascinating plant with a rich history and mythology. Its delicate white flowers and slender stems make it a popular choice for gardens and parks, and its association with hope and purity has made it an enduring symbol of spring and new beginnings.

Here are some tips for growing snowdrops

Planting: Snowdrops should be planted in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil in a sunny or partly shaded location. They should be planted in the autumn before the ground freezes. Plant the bulbs two to three inches deep and two to four inches apart.

Watering: Water the bulbs regularly and keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Light: Grow snowdrops in moist but well-drained, hummus-rich soil in dappled shade.
Try growing snowdrops beneath deciduous shrubs, such as Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, or along the front of borders where herbaceous plants can provide ground cover when the snowdrops are dormant.

Propagation: Snowdrops can be propagated by division in the spring or summer, or by seed in the autumn

Photographs: Galanthus nivalis, snowdrop cultivated variety, snowdrop seedheads.