Snowdrop - Galanthus nivalis
Irish name - Plúirín Sneachta
Daffodil family - Amaryllidaceae
The snowdrop is a non-native winter-flowering plant, which has escaped in many places, probably by the bulbs being thrown out with other garden rubbish. It is unlikely that the plant is truly naturalized in any site in Northern Ireland, but it will persist indefinitely where they are happy, rather like daffodils (Narcissus spp.).
The snowdrop is an upright perennial plant that grows from an underground bulb. Its leaves are very narrow and greyish-green in colour. The flowers are subtley scented, solitary and hang downwards, white in colour with green patterns on the inner three. The three outer petals are plain white.
As one of the first flowers of spring, the snowdrop is often a very welcome sight as a herald of spring. In mild winters the flowers can appear in December, but it is more likely they will appear in January and could last into March.
The best place to plant snowdrops is in light shade, which is why they grow and look so well underneath trees or deciduous shrubs. The soil should be well-drained, but not dry out in summer.
Propagation
By division
The small egg-shaped capsules can be collected and sown, but snowdrops are far easier to propagate by dividing existing clumps. Do this immediately after flowering while the leaves are still green. Carefully tease apart the bulbs, trying not to damage the roots, and replant single bulbs about two inches apart with a little sharp sand underneath each one. Plant them about three inches (8cm) deep.
The following grow in similar habitats (alphabetical by common name)
- Bluebell
- Bugle
- Common Dog Violet
- Foxglove
- Ivy
- Lesser Celandine
- Primrose
- Red Campion
- Self-heal
- Wild Garlic
- Wild Strawberry
- Wood Anemone
Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Environment & Heritage Service too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).