Galanthus Fever

Nothing gives me so much joy in early spring as seeing the Galanthus (Snowdrop) emerge from underneath the fallen leaves in the garden. Their appearance means that (perhaps) Spring will soon be here and that we made it through the worst of winter here in CT. 

I have newly planted Galanthus elwesii scattered around my perennial border, but there is nothing better than a swath of Galanthus planted en masse. Given the right environment, woodland, acid or alkaline soil, in rock gardens, underneath a tree or shady hillside, the bulbs will multiply and naturalize. Galanthus also pairs nicely with Hellebores and Eranthis hyemalis (Winter aconites). 

Galanthus is native to Europe and the Middle East, from the Pyrenees to Iran and as far South as Sicily, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria. The Ancient Greeks knew of this bulb and called it the “white violet”. It is believed that the Romans brought the bulb to Northern Europe and UK.  In 1583, Rembert Dodoens, a Flemish botanist, called it the “Early bulbous violet”. Carl Linneaus named it Galanthus nivalis in 1753, the name using the Greek words of gala (milk) and anthos (flower) and nivalis is latin for snow. Galanthus is in the family of Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis), a group of flowering plants that includes Narcissus (daffodil), Allium (onion), Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile). Galanthus is often confused with Leucojum (Snowflakes) which are much larger and bloom later in spring or early summer. 

Most Galanthus bloom before the vernal equinox (March 20-21). There are a few less common Galanthus that bloom in the fall, G. reginaeolgae and G. peshmenii. They are an important food source for hungry honeybees and bumblebees. If you have not incorporated these petite and early bloomers for your pollinator garden consider adding G. nivalis, G. plicatus, or G. elwesii in your layered perennial beds or in the lawn. 

A galanthophile is a collector and identifies rare species and cultivars of snowdrops, dare I say manic? There are many festivals and Galanthus galas that are held throughout the country (and world) where you can meet other obsessed snowdrop fans. They can be found usually on their stomachs with their magnifying glass to get a good look of this petite beauty and the subtle differences between the cultivars. What’s not to love about passionate people and their plants? I cannot think of anything. 

Video: 

Discover the detailed and diverse world of snowdrops- The RHS