For a Gorgeous Burst of Early Spring Bloom, Plant Snowdrop Flowers
Snowdrops are charming, ethereal, perennial flowers that require very little maintenance, are able to carpet the ground when they become established, and bloom in winter as early as January or February, depending on where you live. (Here are some more Beautiful Outdoor Plants That Can Handle the Winter.)
A collection of species all grouped under the botanical genus Galanthus, snowdrops get their common name from the fact that they pop up while snow often still blankets the ground. When they first appear, their tiny drooping buds resemble teeny white droplets.
Snowdrops are typically petite plants, topping out at 3 to 6 inches tall, though there is one variety that’s about twice that size. They add lovely sprays of white and green to rock gardens, along walkways or under trees.
A member of the amaryllis family, snowdrops are popular in European gardens, where festivals and tours in their name abound. Interestingly, these flowers are known by other charming names, such as fair maids of February, snow piercers, white ladies, and Candlemas bells because they typically bloom during Candlemas, a popular Christian holiday outside the U.S., celebrated in early February.
Whatever you call these darling flowers, they’re worth planting for their precious blooms when you most crave signs of life in your winter garden.
How to Care for Snowdrops
As you’d imagine from their habit of blooming so early, these are tough little flowers. They actually require cold winters to bloom, so they thrive in USDA Hardiness zones 3 to 7. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to grow them in warmer climates.
For the best success, plant bulbs in the fall to bloom the following spring. Typically, garden visitors such as rodents and deer leave these bulbs alone so they’re a great alternative to bulbs such as crocuses, which often get eaten.
Here’s what else you need to know about snowdrops:
Where can I buy snowdrops?
Snowdrops are not as widely available as other early spring flowers such as daffodils and tulips, so you may need to purchase the bulbs from a specialty grower. Once you receive the tiny bulbs, get them in the ground as soon as possible because they dry out quickly.
A reputable nursery typically will allow you to preorder, then harvest and ship to you immediately when it’s the right time to plant in your zone.
How do I grow snowdrops?
Place the bulbs pointy-end up in a hole about 2 to 3 inches deep in an area that receives partial shade to full sun. Plant in groups of 25 bulbs or more for best effect because they’re just too tiny to show off by themselves.
Add compost when planting, if you like, but you don’t need to add fertilizer. Most importantly, let the foliage die back naturally after blooming so that the plant can make food for next year’s blooms. Otherwise, snowdrops need no special care and will return year after year on their own.
How do I get snowdrops to spread?
Snowdrops naturalize, or spread on their own, quite easily. As long as they have the right conditions, they’ll multiply every year. If you want to dig a few up to move elsewhere in your garden, do it in early spring because the foliage will die back and you’ll never find them otherwise.
Are snowdrops toxic to pets?
Unfortunately, according to the ASPCA, snowdrops are toxic to pets, so keep curious cats and dogs away from these plants.
The bulbs, stems and leaves contain alkaloids (with the highest concentration in the bulb), which cause drooling, vomiting, and seizures when ingested. If you suspect your pet has eaten any part of this plant, even if you’re not entirely sure, call your vet ASAP. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
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