Also known as “Candlemas bells” and “Mary’s tapers”, snowdrops are a symbol of hope, new beginnings, and purity. Their early bloom date is usually near February 2, the date of Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus, and the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Forty days after birth, Mosaic Law required that Mary and Joseph bring their first borne to the temple in Jerusalem for consecration to the Lord, and that Mary go through purification rites. Early Christians associated the event with light based on the passage from Luke 2:30-32: “For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel”. Today, Christians of various sects celebrate this feast day, by bringing their candles to church to be blessed when the priest/minister blesses the church candles that will be used throughout the year. Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Native to the woodlands of much of Europe, other than Great Britain and northern Europe, this early blooming bulb is a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, that also includes narcissus, agapanthus, and ornamental onion. The nodding, goblet-shaped flowers are borne singly on leafless scapes with 2-3 linear basal leaves and are white accented by emerald green. The plants are small but naturalize easily and can form large drifts that look spectacular when in bloom. Although delicate and dainty in appearance, snowdrops emerge in late winter to early spring and sometimes poke through the snow.
Snowdrops like full sun to dappled shade and humusy, consistantly moist, well-drained soil in USDA hardiness zones 4-7. They have no significant pests or diseases and can be propagated by offsets as soon as the flowers fade. Plants often self seed.
The genus name, Galanthus, comes from the Greek words γᾰ́λᾰ (gála), meaning milk, and ἄνθος (anthos) meaning flower, and refers to the color of the flowers. The specific epithet, nivalis, is the Latin word meaning of the snow, and refers to the early bloom time.
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