Snowdrop - Galanthus nivalis
Above: Snowdrops in woods between the Sycamore Tree on Arbor Drive and the bike path entrance to the Oak Savanna (3/15/12).
Common Snowdrop - Galanthus nivalis (Early spring bloomer)
A true harbinger of spring, Snowdrops are a member of the Amaryllis family and comprise a small genus (Galanthus) with about 20 species.
The Snowdrop comes by its name honestly because of its white flowers and its ability to push through the snow. That's why in Europe they are sometimes referred to as snow piercers.
The Galanthus name means "milk flower" and nivalis means "of the snow."
Alfred Lord Tennyson referred to the Snowdrop as the "Solitary firstling". (see poem below)
It is a garden escapee and has naturalized in parts of eastern North America including parts of Wisconsin.
Snowdrops typically bloom in March into early April in Wisconsin. Depending on the weather, they can start emerging as early as mid-February (see photos below).
Above: Snowdrops in UW Arboretum at edge of Longenecker Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on March 26, 2019.
For more information on Snowdrop, visit Wikipedia.
Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin Master Gardener website page on Snowdrops.
Snowflakes, Snowbells or Summer Snowflake (Leucojum), are sometimes confused with Snowdrops that also have a white flowers with green markings . However, Leucojum plants are usually taller, have 2-3 flowers per stem and their tepals are the same length.
Above: Snowflakes, Snowbells or Summer Snowflake (Leucojum) near the Duck Pond parking lot in Madison, Wisconsin (4/27/21).
Common Snowdrop
Galanthus nivalis
Flower meaning: Consolation or hope
Above: What a Snowdrop would look like if you were the size of an ant looking up (3/21/21)
Above: Snowdrops in the University of Wisconsin Arbortetum Longenecker Gardens in Madison Wisconsin (3/20/21)
Above: Snowdrop in Madison Wisconsin along Arbor Drive in Madison, Wisconsin (3/30/21)
Above: Snowdrops emerging through snow in woods between the Sycamore Tree on Arbor Drive and the bike path entrance to the Oak Savanna (3/8/20)
Above: Snowdrops emerging through snow in woods between the Sycamore Tree on Arbor Drive and the bike path entrance to the Oak Savanna (3/10/21)
Above: Snowdrops in woods between the Sycamore Tree on Arbor Drive and the bike path entrance to the Oak Savanna (3/15/20)
Above: Snowdrops in woods between the Sycamore Tree on Arbor Drive and the bike path entrance to the Oak Savanna (3/18/21)
Above: Snowdrops in woods between the Sycamore Tree on Arbor Drive and the bike path entrance to the Oak Savanna (3/30/20)
Above: Snowdrops in woods between the Sycamore Tree on Arbor Drive and the bike path entrance to the Oak Savanna. (4/01/19)
Above: A wonderful video from our neighbors just south of us at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Above: Galanthus nivalis piercing snow cover in Europe (March 2004).
To A Snowdrop
by William Wordsworth
Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,
Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay
The rising sun, and on the plains descend;
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend
Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May
Shall soon behold this border thickly set
With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing
On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers;
Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,
Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
And pensive monitor of fleeting years!
Above: Snowdrops in the University of Wisconsin Arbortetum Longenecker Gardens in Madison Wisconsin (3/1/23).
Above: Snowdrop (Galanthus) botanical illustration by Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé circa 1885.
Above: Snowdrop (Galanthus) botanical illustration by Kennet Kjell Johansson Hultman circa 1907.
Above: Snowdrop (Galanthus) botanical illustration from the "Flowers series" for Old Judge Cigarettes circa 1890.
Above: Snowflake (Leucojum) botanical illustration by Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé circa 1885.
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