Meaning of Snowdrops

Snowdrops are small white flowers that grow in climates where winters are mild to cold. Snowdrops are hardy plants that live longest when the weather is coldest. Their scientific name is Galanthus nivalis, of the family Amaryllidaceae.

Significance
Snowdrops symbolize new beginnings and hope because they typically bloom at the end of winter and announce the approach of spring. Growing close to the ground, they also represent death. Picking snowdrops and bringing them inside is considered unlucky.

Identification
Snowdrops' bell-shaped petals arch downwards, facing the ground, so the highest part of the plant is its stem. Some snowdrop varieties have green markings on the white petals.

Time Frame
Snowdrops are often the first flowers you will see in cold climates, sometimes blooming before crocuses. Snowdrops can appear during the fall, winter or early spring, though they most commonly are associated with late winter. Once established, snowdrops multiply and spread each season.

Characteristics
Although there are over 100 varieties of snowdrops that grow in colder climates all over the world, all varieties have white flowers and grow close to the ground. They have long, spear-like leaves ranging from silvery-green to dark green.

Cultivation
Plant snowdrop bulbs in the fall. They prefer light shade and well-drained, but not overly dry, soil. Divide snowdrops every three years.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5723493_meaning-snowdrops_.html

What Are Snowdrops?

Winter brings a welcome spectacle in the form of the hardy snowdrop. A member of the Galanthus genus, this delicate plant captures the admiration of many flower enthusiasts. Snowdrops are hardy plants that grow and flourish when others do not. Grow your own, or simply enjoy those you might see during the cold winter months.

They Love the Cold
"The colder and gloomier it is, the longer the blooms last," notes the BBC when describing the snowdrop plant. The cold-loving snowdrop can actually peek through the snow to show its blossoms. The blossoms may last through the winter in parts of the south. Snowdrops are hardy plants and prefer moist soil. To keep the plants healthy during warmer weather, plant them in partial shade away from direct sunlight. Snowdrops grow best in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 7, even though they will grow in zones 2 through 9.

The Plant is Famous
Many poets and writers, such as Robert Burns, have written songs or stories devoted to the winter blooming snowdrop. The famous children's writer Hans Christian Andersen penned a winter tale about it. The Royal Horticultural Society gave the snowdrop its "Award of Garden Merit" citing it as "a plant of outstanding excellence." Snowdrop enthusiasts, sometimes called galanthophile, also gather at various events to admire plant.

They Only Come in White
Seventy-five variations of the snowdrop plant exist, including the Giant Snowdrop and the Flore Pleno. All snowdrop variations are white. The snowdrop is a small, delicate flower. Its green stem only rises 4 to 6 inches from the soil. It gets part of its fame from the small tiny, white bell-shaped blossoms that point downwards into the land or snow. The blossoms resemble drops of milk falling from the plant. Green notches may appear on the inner petals.

Growing Snowdrops
If you would like to try your hand at growing snowdrops, the University of Illinois Extension has some tips. They suggest planting snowdrops in clumps that are about 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Snowdrops are small plants, so grouping them can help create the illusion of density. The extension also advises growers to divide the plants after they bloom and replant them in new locations. Divide them between March and May. Snowdrops grow best in well-drained soil.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/info_8001785_snowdrops.html