Fundamental Facts
HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial shade to shade
ATTRIBUTES: Dainty white flowers that bloom very early; for beds, naturalizing
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Ferns, hosta, primrose, vinca minor, woodland phlox, hellebore, crocus
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late winter to early spring
FAVORITES: G. nivalis and cultivars 'Viridiapicis', 'Flore Pleno'; G. elwesii
QUIRKS: Needs 6 weeks minimum winter chilling; grows poorly in hot climates
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Moderate shade in cool climates
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Overcrowded bulbs push out of the soil and fail to bloom
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives for decades; divide and replant overcrowded clumps after flowering
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
PLANTING DEPTH: 3 in (7.6 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS 3-10 in (7.6-25.4 cm) fall, 1-2 in (2.5-5.1 cm) wide
Snowdrop in the Landscape
One of the earliest flowers to bloom in the garden, snowdrops are a welcome sign that winter is ending. These early risers have dainty white flowers composed of 3 waxy, oblong petals around a small center cup accented by green markings. Like a lantern, each flower is suspended from a grasslike stalk that stands 3-10 in (7.6-25.4 cm) above a few narrow leaves. When cold weather cuts their growing spree short, snowdrops hug the earth and are easily buried under late-season snow.They may look delicate, but snowdrops are very hardy.
The plants like shade, especially as soil heats up in summer. Grow them under trees and shrubs or let them poke up among the leaves of an evergreen ground covers. Not many plants bloom as early as snowdrops, but they mix well with other spring-flowering plants, such as hellebore, crocus, and Cyclamen coum. To disguise their resting place when snowdrops go dormant in late spring, plant them among leafy shade lovers such as ferns and hostas.
All in the Family
The common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) has a honey-scented white flower with the typical green markings between petals. Collectors who enjoy expanding on the theme should try the cultivar 'Viridiapicis', whose flowers have additional green markings on the tips of the 3 petals. In 'Flore Pleno', the petals are doubled, resembling a starched petticoat.
Though still small, giant snowdrop (G. elwesii) grows taller than the other species, has longer leaves, and sports green markings at the base and tips of the petals. It tolerates summer warmth and is the best choice for Zone 8.
Growing Snowdrop
Snowdrops grow from small bulbs that can dry out if they are held too long before planting, so purchase and plant them as soon as they are available in autumn. Since each small bulb sends up similarly diminutive leaves and produces only one 3-petaled flower, plant the bulbs in groupings of 10-25 for an eye-catching display. Set the bulbs 3 in (7.6 cm) deep and 2 in (5.1 cm) apart. Water after planting and continue watering if less than an inch (2.5 cm) of rain falls per week in late autumn.
Increasing the Bounty
About 2—3 years after planting, snowdrops begin to multiply by producing small bulbs, called offsets, and multiply until some bulbs are pushed out of the soil. Dig the bulbs while the leaves are still green but after flowers fade. Separate and replant promptly. Bulbs moved in early summer, while the foliage is still green, establish themselves more quickly than dormant bulbs planted in fall. Snowdrops are trouble free, as they go dormant before pests and diseases are active.
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