Snowdrops

Snowdrop flowers grow from bulbs in both cold winter regions and moderate winters. Snowdrops do not like warm winters. The flower will make its appearance in the spring and is normally one of the first. They will peek through the snow to come up and see the world thus the name snowdrop. They do not grow all that tall and stand around 3 to 4 inches tall. Snowdrops can also be grown in pots or containers

There are numerous family members in the snowdrop family Size, marking sof flowers, period of flowering an other characteristics of interest may all differ just a bit but they are all white in color.

Snowdrops are raised from bulbs. They prefer to grow in full sun with rich well drained soil. You should add compost or other organic matter when planting bulbs. You can dig a trench for a bed planting or individual holes for individual bulbs but they do better if planted in small clusters. If the cluster is too big they will eventually fail to flower.  Place the bulb into position but never push or force bulb into position. Ensure that the snowdrops are not planted to close to other flowers other wise roots or leaves may smother the small snowdrops.

The snowdrop flower is January birth flower. They are also thought of as a flower of purity that offers hope a sense of rebirth. They are also often found in bouquets that are sent full of sympathy. Galanthus nivalis is the sir name for snowdrops. The name was earned through a combination of two Greek and Latin words. Galanthus appears in ancient Greek and means milk white flower The Latin word nivalis means resembling snow. The snowdrop flower was classified in 1753.

There are many stories behind where the snowdrop flower came from.

A legend in Germany tells of when God created snow. The task of snow was to visit the flowers of earth to gather colors. The flowers were refused, until the snow visited the gentle snowdrop. The snowdrop flower was a kind soul so the snow decided to make a deal. The color of the snowdrop flower would be given to snow in exchange for the chance to bloom first every spring.


Another legend in Moldovan tells a story of a fight between the winter witch and Lady Spring. One year the winter witch decided she did not want the winter to end her reign on earth. Lady Spring arrived and a battle took place. Lady Spring pricked her finger and a drop of her blood fell to the earth. The blood melted the snow and up sprung the tiny snowdrop flower. Lady Spring had won the battle.

No matter how you explain it the snowdrop is here to stay. We should be very luck to have this flower as well. It offers great help in many areas:
Galanthamine is an alkaloid found in the snowdrop flower and is currently approved for the treatment of Alzheimers It is also being studied for treating diseases of nervous system as well as HIV.

The snowdrop flower is often used in religious ceremonies.