Galanthus nivalis (also called common snowdrop)
Galanthus
nivalis
Winter flowering bulb, with drooping white flowers hanging from erect green stems. This pretty flower is one of the first to open in winter and is very cheering when it appears. The blooms will last longer if the bulbs are not planted in direct sunlight. Useful for naturalising in grass, at the base of trees. The flowers provide pollen and nectar for early foraging bees.
Winter
Narrow, strap-shaped, semi-erect, grey-green leaves. H: up to 15cm, S: 5cm
Round, green, smooth stem.
Single white flower on each stem. 3 larger petals enclose three smaller petals, the inner petals having a green mark on the tip of each.
Partial shade.
Humus-rich, moisture-retentive.
Fully hardy.
Little needed. Divide clumps of bulbs after flowering when ‘in the green’ (when they still have leaves). Plants grown in moist, rather than dry, soil will have longer lasting blooms so it may be a good idea to water in dry weather. The blooms will also last longer if the bulbs are planted out of strong sunlight.
By division in spring after flowering, or in autumn when bulbs are dormant.
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