Snowdrops
Snowdrops sprouting from the snow (Image from Canva).
Already we are approaching the end of January, a month which has different meanings for different people. For some, January is a fresh start— a chance to change your habits and outlook for the new year. For others, January is the sad conclusion of the holiday season— the time to get back to the mundanity of the day-to-day. Either way, January is somewhat of the doldrum of winter. Although the winter solstice passed on December 21st and each day inches towards more sunlight, the January days are still short, and the winter still feels long. While the snow has been scarce here in southwest Germany, I’ve heard from friends and family that Pennsylvania has been enduring more than its fair share of cold and snow thus far this year.
Snowdrops are one of the earliest flowers to bloom in Pennsylvania during late February or early March, even emerging through the snow-covered ground. Although they don’t pop up until a bit later, snowdrops are the birth flower of January— along with carnations. Since Pennsylvania is currently in the snowy depths of winter and could use a hopeful sign of spring— and since my mom’s January birthday is right around the corner— let’s learn more about snowdrops on this January day.
Snowdrops are a member of the Amaryllis family, comprising the Galanthus genus which consists of 20 species. The Common Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, grows from 3 to 6 inches tall, with 2 to 3 smooth linear leaves and a drooping, bell-shaped flower. Its six snow-white tepals (similar to petals) compose the outer part of the flower, with three smaller inner tepals with a notched tip and sometimes a green ‘v’ pattern.
Further embodying its name, snowdrops require cold spells, known as cold stratification, in order to germinate. They cannot survive in warmer climates, as they require temperatures below 20°F; however, they also cannot survive temperatures below -30°F. Although they can tolerate a variety of soils, they prefer rich humus soil with good drainage, as well as partial shade. As an early bloomer, snowdrops don’t require pollination to reproduce; instead, they reproduce through bulb division— though they may be visited by bees and insects on warm days. Snowdrops aren’t seriously afflicted by insects or diseases, are deer resistant, and are poisonous if ingested.
Although snowdrops are actually native to mainland Europe and the Middle East, they are popular in Pennsylvania and throughout the northern U.S., even becoming naturalized. They are also a popular choice as an ornamental flower; in the U.K., snowdrops were introduced and grown as a garden plant as early as the 1500’s. During WWII, British citizens called American soldiers “snowdrops” because of their green uniforms and white helmets or caps. Along with impressive snowdrop garden tours and festivals in the U.K., there is also an annual Galanthus Gala in Downingtown, PA, which gathers collectors and plant enthusiasts to celebrate the spring growing season. You can learn more about this event at https://www.facebook.com/galanathusgala/about.
Whether growing naturally or in your gardens, the emergence of snowdrops is one of the first signs of the long winter coming to a conclusion. This association has made snowdrops a symbol of hope for better times. It has also been associated with the Christian festival Candlemas, where it was used to decorate churches and earned its alternative name Candlemas Bells. However, finding a lone snowdrop flower used to be considered a sign of impending death, and it was considered bad luck to take it into your home. So, if you see a single snowdrop bloom, don’t pluck it, but appreciate its beauty and know that sunnier days are ahead!
A small snowdrop growing on a mild January day in Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Photo by Faith Forry).
Written by Faith Forry — January 25, 2025
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/luzerne/resources/monthly-birth-flowers/january-snowdrop
https://extension.psu.edu/snowdrops
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/snowdrop/
