Galanthus nivalis flower (13/02/2011, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well drained
Flowering period: Spring
Eventual Height: 10cm
Eventual Spread: 10cm
Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Galanthus nivalis is a winter flowering bulbous perennial. Its strap like leaves are glaucous in colour. Each bulb will usually produce two lanceolate leaves and a single stalk with a single terminal flower. The small white flowers are scented of honey and have a tiny green inverted ‘v’ on the inner tepal.
Galanthus nivalis, commonly known as the Snowdrop or Common Snowdrop, is native to most of Europe. It was introduced to England in the 15th or 16th century and now has many cultivars. These cultivars are extremely difficult to distinguish between and experts must use a host of subtle differences in the identification of cultivars in the Galanthus genus. The bulbs, allegedly, are sometimes mistaken for onions causing sever stomach upset.
The etymological root of the binomial name Galanthus is derived from the Greek gala meaning ‘milk’ and anthos meaning ‘flower’. Nivalis is from the Latin meaning snowy.
Galanthus nivalis (13/02/2011, London)
Galanthus nivalis is useful to the landscape architect as an early flowering white flowered bulb in climates where frost tolerance is required. They can be naturalised in areas of grass as these bulbs flower early and the leaves get a chance to photosynthesis before the grass starts its vigorous growth period during spring.
Ecologically, Galanthus nivalis is a valuable source of nectar and pollen during the winter months.
The Royal Horticultural Society have given Galanthus nivalis their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
Galanthus nivalis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Galanthus nivalis requires little maintenance. Groups of bulbs can be divided to bulk up plant numbers. This should be carried out during spring while the plant is still in leaf.
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