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Philly blooms! Snowdrops, the first blooming bulb

Joanne Taylor's photo
Philadelphia Gardening Examiner

Photography by Joanne Taylor - Galanthus (snowdrop) blooms on 3/12/2010 in Philadelphia

Although white seemed to be the new landscape color for the last couple of months, this white-flowering bulb called Garden Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), appeared as soon as the snow disappeared, and presented Philadelphia, the Main Line, and all of Zone 6, with the first blooms of the season.  Galanthus is the Latin name for snowdrops, and it stands for milk-white flowers. The snowdrop is scheduled to bloom from mid to late winter, which is why they are the first flowering bulb to appear in our area. The Galanthus or snowdrop is not to be confused with their cousin Leucojum, also called snowflake.


Photography by Joanne Taylor - Galanthus (snowdrop) blooms on 3/12/2010 in Philly

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These hardy little Galanthus bulbs originate from Asia Minor and Europe; and although there are over 60 varieties of snowdrops, they all bloom white. The white flowers have three inner petals with green tips; and the three outer white petals form a hood-like covering over the inner petals. The bell-shaped white flower is held by a thin pedicel, a skinny stem that holds a single flower to the main stem.  The leaf foliage consists of  2-3 inch long, thin green leaves.


Photography by Joanne Taylor - Snowdrops bloom 3/12/2010
 
A great plant combination is to plant snowdrops with the early-blooming  miniature irises and chionodoxa  bulbs.  Galanthus bulbs multiply easily, so if you want to spread the blooms; right after they bloom, dig a clump of bulbs, divide them in groups and replant in another sunny location.  Make sure you mix organic matter in the soil and plant at a depth of 6-8 inches with roots down. Don’t plant bulbs in singles; instead, divide clumps and plant in groupings for a better show. 
 
If snowdrop bulbs bloomed a little later on, along with all the other spring-flowering bulbs, they would get very little notice and maybe even get lost; but as the first blooms of the year, they steal the show.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, Philadelphia Gardening Examiner

Joanne is a gardener by trade for 23 years. She's won Blue and Red Ribbon Awards in gardening competitions held by Philadelphia's Horticulture Society, has judged their City Gardens Contest, and also taught at the Philadelphia Flower Show. She is the author of "A Down to Earth Bible Study." www...

Comments

  • Becca Badgett 2 years ago

    Great article, Joanne, interesting. My first blooms here in NC are crocus and buds on the helebores, but I have not yet planted snowdrops, you've encouraged me to do so! Thanks

  • Joanne, the author 2 years ago

    Thanks for the props. Funny you said Hellebores, that's tommorrow's article for the first perennial blooms in Philly..You're right on time!

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