Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Botanical Name
Galanthus nivalis
Plant Common Name
Snowdrop
General Description
Blooming very early in the year, this long-time garden favorite is a small bulbous perennial found from the Iberian Peninsula to Ukraine. Nodding from a slender arching stem ("pedicel") atop an ankle-high scape, the white, solitary, honey-scented flower has six petal-like segments in two whorls. In cold weather the flower closes, indeed resembling a drop of snow. As the air warms the three spoon-shaped outer segments draw back to reveal the three much smaller inner segments, which form a tube-like structure. The inner segments have notched tips with a green v-shaped "mustache." The flower attaches at its base to a small, green, thimble-shaped ovary. Two slender, leaf-like spathes flank the pedicel. The bulb multiplies to produce a multi-flowered clump. The narrowly lance-shaped grayish-green leaves sometimes have a silvery-gray midstripe. The foliage emerges before the flowers, develops to full length during and after bloom, and neatly fades away in spring. Over the centuries hundreds of cultivars of common snowdrop have been introduced, including selections with green-marked outer segments (e.g., 'Viridapice'), double flowers (including 'Flore Pleno'), large wing-like spathes ('Scharlokii' and 'Bishop's Mitre'), or yellow ovaries (Sandersii Group).
Snowdrops couldn’t be easier or more rewarding to grow. Plant the bulbs in fall at a depth of two to three times their height in moist, well-drained soil with plenty of humus. They are best under deciduous trees where they receive full sun while in bloom but partial shade later on. They require at least 2 months of chill in winter to grow and flower well. Do not disturb the bulbs, but rather allow them to form large clumps. They also spread through self-sowing. Plant snowdrops in masses in lawns, under deciduous trees and shrubs, or in rock gardens, mixed borders, or containers. The fragrant flowers are lovely when cut and displayed in bud vases. All parts of this plant contain compounds that make them unpalatable to herbivores.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
3"-7" / 7.6cm - 17.8cm
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Width
2"-4" / 5.1cm - 10.2cm
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Early Winter, Winter, Late Winter
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Native To
Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Turkey
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single, Double
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Alpine, Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Lawns and Turf, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes
