10 Fascinating Snowdrop Facts
Snowdrops fill the meadows and borders at Easton Walled Gardens from late January until mid-March. Every year, thousands of visitors come to enjoy the snowdrop display which kicks off our gardening season. We are asked varied questions about our snowdrops and here are our top 10 favourite answers and facts!
1: when do snowdrops flower?
According to the old proverb, “The snowdrop in purest white array, first rears her head on Candlemas Day” (2 February). This may be roughly correct for Galanthus nivalis (common snowdrop), with our main display in February.
But there are some kinds that continue until the end of March and others, such as G. reginae-olgae, which begin in autumn. Many others will be in bloom for Christmas – G. plicatus ‘Three Ships’ is a classic example. Impressive Galanthus elwesii (greater snowdrop) is usually in flower during January.
Common snowdrops (Galanthus), popularly seen as harbingers of spring, flower in February
2: How many species and varieties of snowdrop are there?
There are around 20 known species of snowdrop (Galanthus) and an estimated 2,500 named selections – but with ongoing breeding, the numbers increase each year.
3.What do ‘Galanthus’ and ‘Snowdrop’ mean?
- The Species name Galanthus comes from the Greek: ‘Gala’ meaning milk and ‘Anthos’ meaning flower.
- In the 19 century, a Dr. Prior wrote that the common name cannot mean snowdrop since ‘snow is a dry powdery substance that cannot form a drop.’ (Was he also a train spotter in his spare time?)
- It is more likely the name comes from the pearl drop earrings worn by women in the 16th and 17th centuries, as in the painting ‘The Girl with the Pearl Earring’
While common Galanthus nivalis is the best known snowdrop, there are thousands of named selections grown in gardens across the world
4: how can I increase my snowdrops to make large drifts?
The best way to increase snowdrops is to divide clumps by lifting them every second year as the leaves start to turn yellow in late spring. Pull all the bulbs apart and then plant them separately with a pinch of bonemeal in the hole.
5: how are snowdrops able to flower so early?
The flower is formed in the bulb the previous March and waits nearly a whole year before pushing through the soil.
6: do snowdrops have scent?
Yes! On a sunny day, snowdrops are highly scented and give off a delicious honey smell. If you have enough flowers the perfume will fill the garden.
7: do snowdrops have any uses other than as attractive garden plants?
Snowdrops actually contain their own anti-freeze proteins; during the First World War snowdrop plants were harvested to make anti-freeze for tanks.
Some snowdrops such as Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus ‘Lady Elphinstone’ are sought after by collectors, with high prices paid for some new selections
8: are snowdrops always white?
No. Most snowdrops have variable green markings on their inner petals and occasionally these are also displayed on the outer parts of the flower. Then there are yellow snowdrops with showy yellow markings (and often a yellow ovary). There are also some selections with petals that have a pinkish glow to them.
9: what is the strange name given to snowdrop enthusiasts?
Snowdrop collectors and enthusiasts are called galanthophiles – taken from the Latin name for snowdrops which is Galanthus. (This should not be confused with ‘snowdropping’, which is an entirely different type of fetish apparently!)
10: how much will enthusiasts pay for rare snowdrops?
Such is their enthusiasm that in 2015 a single bulb of Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Fleece’ sold on ebay for £1,390. The bulb had taken breeder Joe Sharman 10 years to develop and was at the time record price for a snowdrop. Then in 2022, Joe beat his own record with Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Tears’ which sold for £1,850.
For more information on our open days please see our snowdrop pages on the main website.