Galanthus nivalisOften the very first flowers here in central Maine, snowdrops are a well-known and delightful sign that spring really is on its way. Frosty white 3-petaled bells with a touch of emerald green on the shorter inner segments.
Snowdrops are usually one of the first signs of life emerging from the melting snow, even before crocuses. Delicate looking, but strong, very hardy and long-lasting, standing up to late snows, frosts and stiff spring winds. Fleshy grass-like grey-green leaves reach to 8–10" as flowers peak.
Prefers partial shade and heavy soil, tolerates moist soil; a cool spot in a woodland garden is perfect. Can naturalize in border or lawn. Species grows wild in open woods from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus.
4–6" tall. Very Early Spring blooms, Z3-8. 5cm/up bulbs.
6616 Garden Snowdrop
Additional Information
Novelties and Specialties
The Royal General Bulbgrowers Association in Holland (Koninklijke Algemeene Vereeniging voor Bloembollencultuur, or KAVB) puts this large group of diverse flowers into a boring catch-all category: Miscellaneous Bulbs. The expensive catalogs call them specialty or accent bulbs; some call them minor or dwarf bulbs (even though some of the fritillaries are huge!); Louise Beebe Wilder covered most of them in her 1936 classic Adventures with Hardy Bulbs. Whatever you call them, most are uncommonly sweet, delicate, colorful, and completely welcome in spring.
