Snowdrops – the tiny flowers that bring great cheer
How can such a tiny white flower bring us so much joy and gladness I wonder?
Well before spring, when there’s a frost on the ground, the trees are bare, and there’s still a chill in the air, one flower braves its way into blooming. There is something about these tiny white flowers pushing up through the frozen soil that gives us such a lift in January and February. It must be to do with slowly coming out of winter and beginning again the wonderful cycle of new growth and blossoming that these flowers herald.
Galanthus Nivalis which is the Latin name for the common snowdrop, isn’t actually a British native, but comes from mainland Europe and was even mentioned in ancient Greek literature. It is believed that snowdrops were introduced into British gardens around the beginning of the 16th century and then they escaped into the wild with wonderful results!
In the historical Christian tradition, snowdrops are flowers associated with Candlemas, as they come into blossom at the same time as this Feast Day which is marked on February 2nd and celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the purification of His mother Mary. As a result of the historical connection to this feast day, snowdrops traditionally came to symbolise consolation, hope and purity.
Although to most of us, one snowdrop looks pretty much the same as another, there is a whole other world of ‘Galanthophiles’ out there, prepared to pay hundreds of pounds for a single bulb of a rare variety. I’m happy enough with the common or garden ones that have been given to me. These came from a regular visitor to Purley Chase and originated in a garden in Suffolk where there are thousands growing. Amazing as it may seem, these Suffolk snowdrops along with the kindness of the gift, have travelled far and wide around the country, as they are growing at Purley Chase Centre in Warwickshire, also in Derbyshire, Berkshire, Essex, North Tyneside and Lancashire.
Snowdrops are best planted ‘in the green’ after flowering has finished (probably in March) when they will become dormant and then flower the following year. So, if someone offers you a clump of snowdrops for your garden – my advice is to accept them, as there is nothing quite like their winter cheer!
Now the glad earth her frozen zone unbinds,
And o’er her bosom breathe the western winds;
Already the Snowdrop dares appear
The first pale blossom of th’ unripen’d year;
Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1743-1825)
