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.
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