The winter isn’t here yet, but for northern gardeners, it is time to think of spring. Now is the time to finish planting the bulbs that will bring forth the first flowers of the new year. Among the earliest to bloom are snowdrops. This week, I planted a few near the entrance to the house so that we will be able to enjoy these heralds of warmer weather as we come and go.
The scientific name for common snowdrops is Galanthus nivalis. Galanthus is from the Greek gala (milk) and anthos (flower). Carl Linnaeus, the great Swedish botanist, gave the genus its name in 1735. Nivalis means “of the snow”. The names, both the scientific and the common, are perfectly chosen. Snowdrops often bloom while there is still snow on the ground, poking their brave heads through little patches of bare ground. It’s a sight to warm the heart of any gardener after the long, cold winter.
Willow House Chronicles 
I have been looking for snowdrops, but I’ve seen every kind of bulb but… maybe I should be looking for “Galanthus nivalis”. I would so love to have a few poking their heads through the snow in the early spring!
When I lived in colder climes I always looked for snowdrops to remind me that warmer weather was ahead. Nice choice that you planted them near your entrance. — barbara
Thanks for the reminder – I’ve my own snowdrops I need to get into the ground. Have to decide where I want to put them…
Eyegillian – when I was looking for them last fall, the woman at the garden centre told me they’re the first thing they sell out of every year, and that if you want to make sure you get some, you really have to look for them in September. So this year I was paying attention early!
It’s true, snowdrops can be hard to find. I looked in a number of spots before I found these back in September.