Snowdrops (Galanthus) are universally loved, their perfectly-formed flowers which appear in February herald the start of spring and the hope of increased warmth and daylight in the days ahead.
Known as 'The Fair Maids of February', snowdrops are non-native in the UK: they are native to Southern Europe and the Middle East and were brought to Britain by the Romans.
Snowdrops grow well in damp but well-drained soils in light shade, where they can naturalise to form magnificent snowy white carpets. Many gardens have 'snowdrop open days' to share this spectacle with the public.
If you want to introduce snowdrops to your garden, it can be notoriously tricky to get them to establish. The bulbs do not like to dry out, so they are best planted 'in the green' in spring. If you are dividing a clump of your own, wait until just after flowering, when the seed capsules are formed and the leaves are just starting to yellow. Many suppliers sell at an earlier stage, around the time of flowering while the leaves are fully green. The bulbs will need to be planted straight away for maximum success, in a lightly shaded place which does not dry out in summer.
So popular is the snowdrop, that there are many 'Galanthophiles' (snowdrop collectors). There are 20 known species of snowdrop, and over 2500 varieties, with prices up to £1850 per bulb (Galanthus plicatus 'Golden Tears': a brand new variety for 2022, developed by Monksilver Nurseries in Cambridgeshire).
The simple nodding white flowers of the common varieties are however readily available and affordable, and will offer the hope that winter is close to an end and that the longer, warmer days of spring are approaching.
Below: Galanthus plicatus a single snowdrop showing the inner detail of the delicate green stripes and yellow anthers.
Below right: Galanthus plicatus 'Flore Pleno', a double snowdrop showing the beautiful inner detail of the rose-like centre.
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