Galanthus

This group consists of twelve early-blooming perennial bulbs native to the woods of Turkey and Europe. Commonly known as Fair-Maids-of-February and Snowdrops, these dainty plants are often seen pushing up through the snow to bloom in late winter or early spring. Snowdrops produce clumps of slender green leaves from 6 to 12 inches high and white flowers with a dab of green on each petal. The bell-shaped, pendent blossoms each grow from a single, slender stem. G. nivalis (Common Snowdrop) produces 1-inch flowers on 6-inch stems. G. elwesii (Giant Snowdrop) grows from 6 to 10 inches high and produces 11/2-inch flowers with pure white outer petals and green tinged inner petals. This species withstands hot weather better than the Common Snowdrop.

Pot Cultivation

Snowdrops prefer moist, cool, woodland conditions where winter temperatures reach at least 20�F but not colder than -30� F. There are some species of Snowdrops native to dry, sunny regions that will survive those conditions in our country, but most come from wet, alpine grasslands. Snowdrops are suitable for growing in borders, meadows, woodlands, and containers. They should be grown in a lightly shaded location in moist, cool soil such as equal parts of loam and compost or peat moss and sand. Plant the bulbs 3 or 4 inches deep and 2 or 3 inches apart in the fall. They look best when planted at least three or four plants together. Water Snowdrops well while they are blooming. Snowdrops can be difficult to establish in the garden and may take a couple of years to adjust to the new site, but, eventually, they will form large, compact groups.

Propagation

Clumps of Snowflakes can be divided once the foliage begins to turn yellow in the spring. Each division should contain five bulbs. Replant them immediately after dividing.

G. elwesii;

Species & Varieties

• G. nivalis & var. 'Scharlockii', 'Sam Arnotti', 'Flore Pleno';
• G. elwesii;
• G. plicatus;
• G. byzantinus (This species is the one most likely to survive in southern gardens, being a native of western Turkey.)