Snowdrops: photo, description, types, when they bloom

Author: Elena N. https://floristics.info/ru/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=19 Category: Garden plants Published: June 22, 2018Last edits: November 05, 2020

Snowdrop, or galanthus (lat. Galanthus) is a genus of herbaceous perennials of the Amaryllis family, which includes 18 species and two natural hybrids. The scientific name of the genus is translated from ancient Greek as milky-flowered and characterizes the color of the flowers of the plant. To the English, galanthus is known as “snow earring” or “snow drop”, to the Germans as “snow bell”, and in our country it is called “snowdrop” for its early appearance on soil that is still dead after winter - literally “from under the snow”. The largest number of species of this plant (16) can be found in the Caucasus, and 6 of them are listed in the Red Book because they are endangered. Many types of snowdrops are grown as ornamental plants, and they were introduced into cultivation a very long time ago. For example, the terry form Flore Pleno has been known since 1731. There are many wonderful legends about snowdrops. One of them tells that on the day when Adam and Eve left Eden, it was snowing, and frozen Eve cried, and the Creator, to console her, turned several snowflakes into the very first flowers on Earth - snowdrops.

General information

Snowdrops, photos of which are presented in our material, are herbaceous perennials. Their scientific name is galanthus, which translated from ancient Greek means “milky-flowered.” They belong to the amaryllis family. There are at least 18 species in total, not counting hybrids.

Because of their delicate color, in England the flowers have the poetic name “snow catkins”, and in Germany – “snow bells”. The name given to snowdrops in Russia is due to the fact that they appear very early, even before the snow has completely melted.

Snowdrops are listed in the Red Book because they are at risk of extinction. However, they have received great recognition as ornamental plants. Flower growers grow them in gardens. Terry forms are extremely popular.

There are many legends about snowdrops. According to one of them, these flowers appeared on Earth a very, very long time ago. This happened when Adam and Eve left Eden. It is snowing. Eva, frozen, began to cry. To console her, the Creator turned several snowflakes into delicate flowers.

Pests and diseases

Diseases and their treatment

Snowdrops can suffer from fungal or viral infections. When infected by viruses, light green and yellowish streaks and marks appear on the ground organs of the plant, the texture of the leaves becomes bumpy, and the edges of the leaf blade curl up. The diseased specimen should be burned immediately, and the place where it grew should be spilled with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.

In the photo: Flowering snowdrops - the earliest flowers

Black or brown streaks and spots on the leaves of snowdrops may indicate they are affected by rust, and a fluffy gray coating is a sign of gray rot. Affected organs and areas should be cut out and burned, and the plants and soil around them should be treated with a solution of a fungicidal preparation prepared according to the instructions.

Yellow spots on snowdrop leaves may be a sign of chlorosis, which occurs due to poor drainage or iron deficiency in the soil. Add this element to the soil in chelated form, and the plant will gradually recover.

Pests and their control

Among insects, caterpillars of cutworm butterflies and nematodes pose a danger to snowdrops. Cutworm caterpillars that damage flower bulbs are collected and destroyed in the fall during weeding, when they are preparing to pupate. Controlling nematodes is much more difficult. Nematodes are very small worms that cannot be seen with the naked eye, but the consequences of their destructive activity are clearly visible: yellowish tumors of irregular shape appear along the edges of snowdrop leaves, and a dark spot is visible on the cut of the bulb, which separates the affected part from the healthy one. Sick plants are destroyed, and healthy ones are dug up, washed from the ground and kept for 3-4 hours in water at a temperature of 40-45 ºC. In the area where nematodes were found, bulbous plants are not planted for 5 years.

But insects are not the only enemies of snowdrops. Rodents also annoy the flowers - moles and mice, damaging flower bulbs underground or dragging them into their holes. The bulbs in places where they have been chewed begin to rot, the plants grow poorly and look depressed. It is necessary to remove diseased bulbs, cut off rotting areas to healthy tissue, sprinkle the sections with ash or charcoal powder and let them dry. You can save snowdrop bulbs from mice if you do not plant perennials that form clumps or herbaceous plants with turf in which mice live in a diameter of three meters: mice do not go further than three meters from their nests. As for moles, they need to lay out traps and bait with poison throughout the area.

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Underground slugs that live in rich clay soils can also harm snowdrops. Gastropods are destroyed using special means, but when planting, it is best to fill the bulb to the very top with coarse-grained river sand, and only then fill the remaining space of the hole with soil.

Description

Snowdrops tend to grow in large groups. At first, the flowers stretch towards the sun, but over time the buds bend and the peduncle bends bizarrely. They are shaped like bells. The snowdrop flower, the description of which you are now reading, looks like a drop of snow. This feature was noted by the British.

The plant has two dark green leaves. They appear simultaneously with flower stalks. Their length is on average 10 cm. The bract consists of two halves. Its function is to protect the bud. On the peduncle there is one snow-white bud formed by six delicate petals. Three of them are in the inner row, and the remaining ones surround them. The flowering period lasts 2 weeks. Flowers disappear after the snow melts.

Photo of snowdrops in spring

Many people associate early spring with these small, delicate flowers, because they are the first to emerge from under the snow and are pleasing to the eye after the winter cold.

Figure 5. First spring flowers

Many have seen a green carpet of ordinary garden flowers, so we suggest that you familiarize yourself with photos of them in natural conditions (Figure 5).

Benefits and harms

Snowdrops (you can find a photo of the plant in our article) are medicinal plants and are widely used in folk medicine. However, an incredibly useful culture can be extremely dangerous. The fact is that flowers contain a large amount of toxic substances and alkaloids, which in certain quantities can cause poisoning. In small doses, snowdrops are added to medicines that are intended to combat various diseases. Now let’s list the most popular types of snowdrops.

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Seeing off the sun.
Photo: Oleg Konstantinov Snowdrop Bortkevich

This species got its name in honor of dendrologist Vladimir Bortkevich. Distributed in beech plantations in the North Caucasus, mainly in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic.

The leaves of the plant are dark green, almost emerald, with a bluish bloom; The flowers are snow-white with green spots.

Snowdrop Krasnova

The snowdrop species was named after the botanist Andrei Krasnov. Distribution area: Black Sea coast of the Caucasus with beech, hornbeam and mixed forests. Snowdrop leaves are shiny, bright green, slightly curled; the flowers are small.

Alpine

This plant is cultivated in gardens and summer cottages. However, sometimes alpine snowdrops, photos of which evoke only pleasant impressions, are also found in the wild. Flowering begins in the fourth year after planting. This species has long, rich green leaves and neat white bell-shaped buds. The leaves are broadly lanceolate, their length reaches 7 cm. The stem is short, only 7-9 cm in height. Flowers appear in spring. At the end of the flowering period, seed boxes appear. With their help you can propagate plants.

Main types

In total, there are about 20 species of snowdrops, 12 of them grow in the countries of the former Union. Sometimes their varieties mistakenly mean flowers similar to snowdrops: scillas, anemones and other spring herbaceous plants. Galanthus are distributed throughout most of Europe and Asia Minor, but the maximum variety grows in the Caucasus.

Snow-white

Grows over a vast territory of Europe and Ciscaucasia. Grows on open edges and surrounded by bushes. We especially love gardeners and are most often used in landscape design. Its flowers are single, very fragrant, white. The blooming snow-white snowdrop pleases the eye earlier than other species, breaking through the snow and reminding us of the proximity of the coming spring.

There are up to fifty garden varieties. The most popular are the double forms, in particular Lady Elphinstone, which has beautiful white petals with yellow markings on the inside. Gardeners are also particularly fond of Arnott, a variety with short and wide outer perianth petals.

Snowdrop Elveza

The specific name of the flower is associated with the name of a famous botanist-collector. It was he who discovered the first snowdrop of this species in Turkey at the end of the 19th century. The growing area of ​​the flower is very wide: from Asia Minor to the south of Ukraine and the expanses of Moldova.

This is a tall species with wide leaves of green-blue shades and large spherical flowers with a particularly fragrant aroma. The outer petals are larger than those located closer to the center, marked with small green spots. Flowering begins in February.

In Europe, up to 15 hybrid varieties are grown, differing in the shapes of leaves and petals. Elveza is usually used to create alpine slides. When cut, they retain their original freshness and attractiveness for a long time.

Alpine

It is endemic to Western Transcaucasia. The height of the plant, which blooms with snow-white flowers, is 6-9 cm. The wide leaves are distinguished by the presence of a bluish coating. It is most often grown in summer cottages.

Byzantine

It is a white flower with numerous long carved petals and narrow leaves. Distributed on the Asian coast of the Bosphorus. Particularly loved by gardeners in Western Europe. It differs from most of its relatives by flowering in autumn rather than spring.

Caucasian

A forest species found in the forests of Central Transcaucasia and Northern Iran. The height of the plant is about 10 cm, the flowers have a particularly fragrant aroma. There are green spots on the inside of the petals, closer to their ends. It blooms in April and delights the eye with flowers for 2 weeks.

Bortkevich

This flower is endemic to the Western Caucasus, receiving its name in honor of the famous dendrologist who described it. Its leaves are dark green with an inconspicuous bluish coating on their surface. The flowers, like most species, are white, but there are green spots.

Voronova

A small flower, named after a famous expert on Caucasian flora. It is one of the medicinal species, but it is worth considering that this plant is poisonous and is not used in folk medicine. Used only in the creation of medicines. This snowdrop is endemic to the Caucasus and grows wild along the entire eastern Black Sea coast, including Turkey.

Cilician

Belongs to the number of mountain plants. It grows in the foothills and mountains of Asia Minor, as well as near Batumi. Its flowers are white, with green spots on the inner side closer to the perianth.

folded

It grows in the wild in the foothills of the Romanian Carpathians, in Moldova and Crimea. Most often found in the Crimean Mountains, therefore it is often referred to as Crimean. Among all species it is considered the largest.

It blooms in March for 2-3 weeks. During the flowering period, a bluish coating appears on the leaves, and after it fades, they acquire a bright green glossy color. There are up to a dozen garden forms, among which there are varieties with double petals.

broadleaf

In nature, it is found in the vast expanses of the Caucasus. This species is ideal for growing in northern latitudes. The flowers are white, with a characteristic green spot on the inside, the leaves are glossy dark green. Blooms all April.

Snowdrop of Ikaria

It grows exclusively in Greece, which is why the species name is associated. It can grow even on the most unsuitable soil (rocky or sandy). Its leaves are dull green in color, and its flowers are white with a green spot.

Blue snowdrop

Scilla (as the flower's name sounds differently) is not actually a snowdrop. It is also one of the bulbous plants, but of the Asparagus family, and in nature there are up to 80 of its species. It is similar in appearance to snowdrops: it is a delicate and fragile flower that is one of the first to emerge from under the snow.

The blue color is the main difference that makes scillas especially attractive plants for decorating spring gardens. This flower is not a rare species and is not listed in the Red Book, as many mistakenly believe, which also differs from galanthus.

Byzantine

This variety of snowdrops was first discovered on the coast of the Bosphorus Strait. This plant is successfully cultivated not only in Asia, but also in European countries, but in Russia it is not very popular. The variety has an amazing feature. While most snowdrops appear before the snow melts and herald spring, representatives of the Byzantine variety bloom in the autumn season. The appearance of the plant is also unusual: the inflorescence is white and carved, with long snow-white petals located around it.

Photo of white snowdrops

You can admire the carpet of white inflorescences in a painting, but it is much more pleasant to grow such plants in the garden. Seeds collected with your own hands or bulbs purchased in a specialized store are suitable for this.

Figure 7. Photo of white spring flowers

The value of plants is preserved only if they are in a flower bed. If you pick these flowers, the bouquet will last no longer than a few days, whereas in the garden they can delight you for a month.

Caucasian

In addition to white ones, there are also blue snowdrops. White is the standard color for this plant. As for the Caucasian variety, it has a peculiarity: there are small green inclusions on the white petals.

The plant is most often found in the central part of the Caucasus. It has long, narrow leaves. Flowering lasts from early to mid-March. Fruiting, however, is irregular. If you are going to grow Caucasian snowdrops at home, take care to create a shelter for the winter.

Number of snowdrops and protection from extermination

Flowers, the first to appear in nature after a long winter, cannot but be attractive and popular. It is for this reason that snowdrops become victims of merciless extermination.

Intemperate nature lovers thoughtlessly pick them, making many bouquets of flowers. Moreover, spring lawns are practically mowed down by enterprising traders who are trying to make such a miracle of nature a source of profit, taking advantage of the natural desire of many who want to buy flowers.

But not only for these reasons, this plant is found less and less often in its natural environment. Other factors include the merciless digging of bulbs by enthusiastic gardeners.

The number of flowers is also affected by a decrease in forest area, damage to the forest floor containing seeds and plant bulbs, as well as other environmental problems.

Currently, the Red Book characterizes snowdrops as a rare species, assigning the plant the third category. This means that wonderful flowers are not yet in danger of disappearing completely, but under unfavorable conditions this threat still exists.

Nature reserves and sanctuaries are being created to protect rare plants. There are strict restrictions on the picking and sale of snowdrop flowers.

Snow-white

In Russia, this variety of snowdrops is the most popular. Photos with these flowers turn out very beautiful. Representatives of this variety have long narrow leaves and rather large inflorescences, reaching a diameter of 3 cm.

This variety grows quickly. It does not require careful care, so it is often cultivated in summer cottages. In a few years it will spread throughout the entire garden bed. The peculiarity of this variety is the early onset of flowering. The buds appear at the very beginning of March and delight the eye with their beauty until the end of the month, that is, flowering lasts approximately 25-30 days.

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Visiting for 12 months.
Photo: Alexandra Kutergina Galantus Voronova

Named after the botanist Yuri Voronov, the snowdrop grows in the forests of the foothills of the southern Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The bright green leaves with a yellow tint have a rich sheen. The flowers are small and very fragrant. Under favorable conditions, the plant blooms at the end of February.

Ksenia Popova

folded

This variety of snowdrops is one of the most beautiful. It has a number of external features. Firstly, the plant reaches a height of 25 cm, which is uncharacteristic for these flowers. In addition, its inflorescences are very large, their diameter is about 40 cm.

The folded snowdrop is found in Ukraine, Moldova and Romania. However, it is also successfully grown in gardens. When do snowdrops of this variety bloom? In the beginning of March. The buds remain attractive for 14-20 days, after which they fade. This culture is highly decorative. It grows quickly and within a few seasons after planting it occupies vast areas, like a flower carpet.

Reproduction

Snowdrop propagation is possible in two ways: by baby bulbs and seeds. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

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  Galanthus bulbs

• 
  Galanthus seeds

Scilla or scylla

These beautiful blue flowers are found in forests and are cultivated in group plantings. These perennials grow in different parts of the planet, for example, in Asian countries. The advantage of Scilla is that the plant easily adapts to any environmental conditions, so it is often planted in mixborders, rockeries and alpine slides. The culture is unpretentious in care and resistant to temperature changes, diseases and pests.

There is a common belief that scillas are blue snowdrops. They can indeed be found in the forest in early spring, but they have nothing to do with the previously mentioned flowers, despite the fact that they are often confused with them.

Caring for snowdrops in the garden

Growing conditions

Planting snowdrops and caring for the first spring flowers in the open ground is surprisingly simple. There is no need to water snowdrops, since the soil in the spring after the snow melts is saturated with moisture. If the winter was snowless and the spring was dry, then from time to time the soil in the area should be moistened, otherwise the snowdrops will not grow tall. There is no need to weed either: at this time the weeds are not yet growing. But fertilizing will not be superfluous, but certain restrictions must be observed in this matter: it is undesirable to apply fertilizers with a high nitrogen content to the soil, which stimulates the intensive growth of leaf mass, the abundance of which in conditions of high humidity and low air temperature can become the basis for the development of fungal diseases. Choose mineral complexes for snowdrops that contain more potassium and phosphorus fertilizers, since potassium promotes the formation of strong and healthy bulbs that winter well in the soil, and phosphorus stimulates the flowering of snowdrops.

Scilla flower - not to be confused with snowdrops

Transfer

Snowdrops are transplanted from one place to another once every five to six years, although they can grow in one area for much longer. The fact is that in one season, up to two children are formed on the bulb, that is, in six years it can become heavily overgrown with daughter bulbs, which will eventually begin to suffer from lack of nutrition. That’s why the bulbs need to be divided and planted.

In the photo: How snowdrops bloom

Reproduction

To divide and replant, snowdrops are dug up while its leaves have not yet completely withered and dried out. The bulbs are divided without clearing the soil, and after dusting the sections with coal powder, they are immediately planted in soil prepared in advance.

Snowdrops are also grown by seed, but there is no point in wasting time sowing seeds, since snowdrops reproduce well by self-sowing. The emerged seedlings will bloom in 4-5 years.

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Snowdrops after flowering

At the end of flowering, the leaves of snowdrops are not cut off immediately, but only when they die naturally, otherwise you will disrupt the process of restoration of the bulb, without which flowering next year will become impossible. In addition, the leaves help the bulbs accumulate nutrients so they can overwinter properly in the ground.

If you planted snowdrops in the ground before winter, you need to cover the area with a layer of peat or humus in late autumn.

Features of planting and care

Speaking about snowdrops, one cannot fail to mention the peculiarities of planting and caring for them. The main condition is the presence of moist soil in the place where they grow. To propagate flowers, seeds are used, which are in a yellow-green spherical box. After the buds die, the bulbs remain underground until next year. Snowdrops should be planted in shady places, for example under the canopy of trees. Since the bulbs are poisonous, all manipulations with them are done with protective gloves.

As for caring for flowers, it is not difficult, since the plant is unpretentious. The culture is resistant to frost and temperature changes. It is necessary to water snowdrops regularly if the spring is dry, but after flowering is over, artificial irrigation of the soil is not required.

Thus, there are a considerable number of varieties of snowdrops. Which one did you like the most?

Planting snowdrops in open ground

When to plant

It is best to buy and plant snowdrop bulbs from July to September, and if the autumn is warm and long, then until November. Try not to purchase planting material with open flowers, since immediately after planting they wither and die. True, the bulb remains alive, but next year such plants bloom weakly and may not bloom at all. When choosing planting material, give preference to dense, heavy bulbs with intact protective shells, without signs of the beginning of growth - roots and primordia of peduncles, since bulbs that have begun to grow will have to be planted in the ground immediately. It’s not scary if there are cuts on the bulb, as long as the scales are not damaged. Do not take crumpled or broken specimens: bruised and crushed areas will almost certainly rot later.

In the photo: Growing snowdrops

Purchased planting material can be stored for no longer than a month, but if you do not have the opportunity to plant the bulbs in the ground on time, store them in a perforated plastic bag, sprinkled with shavings or sawdust.

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How to plant

Spring snowdrops love open areas, although they also grow well in the partial shade of trees and bushes. The soil for these primroses is preferably moist, well-drained and loose, but it is better not to grow them in places where water stagnates and in heavy clay soils. It is interesting that snowdrop flowers themselves regulate the planting depth: if you immerse the bulb in the soil too deeply, the plant will form a new bulb on the peduncle, but at the depth it needs; if planting is not deep enough, the bulbs will also begin to become smaller over time, but will be active grow into children.

In any case, you need to immerse the snowdrop bulbs into the soil at least 5 cm. Primroses look more beautiful in a group of 10-30 plants.

Varieties of primroses

Today there are 16 species of snowdrops growing in different regions of Russia. Their distinctive features are:

1) appearance (primroses do not have to be drop-shaped, but can also look like daisies);

2) growth time (can fall in January, February, March and even April);

3) place (snowdrops can be found not only in the forest zone, but also in meadows, mountains and even city front gardens);

4) artificial cultivation (some primroses can be grown independently, planted in a dacha or garden plot. The snow-white color, fragile stem and leaves will decorate any flowerbed in early spring. However, the distinguishing feature of artificial plants from forest ones will be their larger size).