Galanthus Species, Common Snowdrop, February Fair Maid, Snowdrops

This modest plant often announces the start of a new season for me--sometimes as early as Valentine's Day, though more often the first we...Read Moreek of March (Boston Z6a). It's best planted in the largest masses possible, as it takes a lot of them to make an impression in the landscape.

It does best in deciduous shade where the soil won't dry out completely in summer. It does well in lawns if the first mowing is delayed till the foliage dies down.

I've seen it doing well on the north side of a wall or house where it only gets north light. The only problem with this is that that's where the snow lies the deepest and longest, so that's where bloom is generally delayed.

Can be divided in spring while foliage is still green and will continue to grow in that same year. This is helpful in locating new areas...Read More to fill in as the green leaves show the location of the other snowdrops.

First to come up in the spring...a nice pick-me-up after over 100" of snowfall each winter. I use them to signal when it is time to star...Read Moret spring cleaning in the garden. They seem to love our swampy area and clay soil. Leaves die back when the temperatures remain warm at night. Good companion to bugleweed and trillium.

Blooms in March in my garden. This self-seeded itself, as I never planted it. Very delicate little flower. Pretty in large patches.