Snowdrops - A Winter Favourite

These beautiful flowering bulbs were introduced into this country in the 16th Century from the eastern Mediterranean. The first species were called Galanthus nivalis. The word Galanthus is derived from the Greek - 'gala' meaning milk and 'anthos' meaning flower. So the original name was actually the milkflower. The Latin 'nivalis' means growing near snow. There is also a Christian legend which tells of an angel who was helping Eve after her fall from Paradise, when it snowed. The angel caught a snowflake and breathed life into it, and the snowflake fell to earth as the first snowdrop.
These frail looking, but extremely tough little plants fascinate me. There are now many different varieties of single and double flowered snowdrops and they are relatively easy to grow. It is best to buy your snowdrops 'in the green' which means they have been damp packed and are available to buy as the flowering season finishes. The survival rate of these bulbs is much greater than dry bulbs bought in summer. Dried out bulbs transplant badly so if you do buy snowdrops make sure you plant them straight away.
They prefer a moist soil and light shade so are perfect for naturalising in grass under trees or in open woodland. You can increase your stock of snowdrops by lifting and dividing the larger clumps while the leaves are still green after flowering.
There are some wonderful displays of snowdrops in gardens open to the public. My favourite place to visit is Hodsock Priory in Nottinghamshire which has a wonderful display of snowdrops and other early flowering plants. Take a look by clicking on this link  http://www.hodsockpriory.com/snowdrops