Species snowdrop
bright white flowers with dark green sepals, gray-green stems and oval-shaped green-gray leaves

snowdrop

Galanthus elwesii

The snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) is one of nature's most attractive plants, with its delicate white blooms that appear in late winter, often before any other flowers. It's amazingly hardy, making it perfect for surviving in harsh climates, and its blooms are a welcome burst of colour during the dullest months of the year. Snowdrops are extremely easy to grow and can thrive in most gardens, making them the perfect choice for beginner gardeners. Even after it has stopped flowering, the dainty leaves of the snowdrop make an attractive addition to any garden. Snowdrops signal the arrival of spring, and there's nothing more uplifting than to have a splash of white blooms to lift the spirits.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Offsets,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii) are hardy plants that prefer moist soil, but should not be allowed to sit in standing water. They should be watered deeply and regularly during the spring and summer months, when the weather is warmer. Watering should be done once or twice a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions. Water whenever the soil begins to dry out; heavy rainfall may mean that you don't need to water at all in some weeks. Avoid watering late in the day, as this can lead to fungal diseases. As the fall approaches, the amount of water should be gradually reduced, with watering done no more than once a month in the winter months.

sunlight

Galanthus elwesii, commonly known as the snowdrop, requires full to partial sun to thrive. For best results, this plant species prefers 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, ideally in the morning. Prolonged exposure to full afternoon sunlight can cause damage to the snowdrop plant's leaves. For areas with intense summer sunlight, the snowdrop should be provided with some form of shade during midday or afternoon hours. Along with adequate sunlight, the snowdrop requires regular watering and well-drained, fertile soil for optimal growth.

pruning

Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) should be pruned in late winter or early spring when the plants start to come into bud. Prune lightly to remove any dead or damaged foliage. Prune off flower stems that have already flowered as they begin to brown, leaving the developing buds undamaged. Remove any clumps that have become overcrowded and dig them up to be separated into smaller bunches. Pruning too much can reduce flowering in subsequent seasons, so it’s best to prune with caution.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Snowdrops typically start flowering in late winter or early spring, usually in February or March.

Starts Flowering

Snowdrops typically start flowering in late winter or early spring, usually in February or March.

Hardiness Map