Dr Green Fingers: Snowdrop Plants
Everybody knows spring is the season of flowers, and we all look forward to trees and bushes gaining their leaves after winter. Not to mention the resurgence of florals in fashion and time spent outside searching for colourful eggs among the plants.
But those who truly love flowers and plants know that flowers are to be celebrated every season, and different climates bring different blooms. At Plants by Post, we are firm believers that flowers and plants are for every season, which is why we want to help you fill your homes and gardens with the perfect seasonal plants.
Welcome to our guide to snowdrop planters! Here you can find information on this gorgeous plant and advice on how to best care for them.
What is a Snowdrop Flower?
The snowdrop is a flowering plant with the scientific name of Galanthus Nivalis. It stands at around 7-15cm tall and looks ethereal with a minimal number of smooth, narrow leaves that are a frosty grey-green colour.
The flower itself is made up of six segments, known as tepals, and is a part of the Amaryllidaceae family. They are commonly found in woodland and grassland areas, including parks and gardens.
What Makes Snowdrop Flowers Popular at Christmas?
So, what makes snowdrop flowers a Christmas plant?
Firstly, its nickname, snowdrop, is, of course, a signature of the winter season. It has gotten this name because the plant's flower looks just like a falling drop of pure snow. One of the best and most beautiful parts of the season!
Snowdrop flowers symbolically represent hope and innocence, two emotions also symbolic of Christmas time. We hope for the year ahead and celebrate the innocence of children and Christmas magic over the season.
Finally, snowdrops are known to flower in the late winter months, furthering their link to the Christmas period!
Snowdrop Flowers Frequently Asked Questions
So, now you know about the beauty of snowdrop flowers and why we love to spotlight them at Christmas. You might be keen to take some home to decorate or even gift these gorgeous plants as presents to your friends and family. But first, you will need to know how to best take care of them. We can help with that too!
Here we have pulled together the most frequently asked questions you might have as a beginner to keeping snowdrops.
When Do Snow Drops Flower?
Typically, snowdrops flower between January and April, so we look forward to these beautiful buds transitioning us into spring.
Often, you might catch your first glimpse of snowdrops in the wild as the blanket of winter snow starts to melt. In its wake, the persistent and beautiful sight of snowdrop plants standing proud to give us a second snowfall to welcome.
Where Should I Plant Snowdrops?
If you’re transferring a snowdrop plant to your garden, you should make sure to do so in an area with shade patches. The soil should also be hummus-rich and moist in order for it to thrive.
However, we recommend potting your snowdrop flowers as they tend to fair poorly in summer when the soil turns dry. They also need to be repotted annually, which is much easier to do successfully than replanting them in your garden.
What Do I Do with Snowdrops After Flowering?
Are you growing your own snowdrop plants and wondering what to do once they begin to flower? This is the sign that they are ready to be potted!
Once your snowdrops begin to flower and before the foliage turns yellow, gently lift them from the soil and plant them in your pot at the same soil level. If you think the soil in your pot may be heavy, we recommend adding a little sand or grit in order to improve drainage.
Finally, water them thoroughly and allow the foliage to die off naturally.
Why Didn't My Snowdrops Flower?
Are your snowdrops not flowering as you believe they should be? This is a sign that they might be congested. Just like we all feel a little stuffed up in winter, your snowdrops can feel the same!
This just means that too many bulbs are trying to flower in the same planter, so if they’re not flowering, this is your cue to split them up. Simply lift your snowdrops from the soil, divide the clump and re-pot in soil rich with compost.
How Long Does it Take a Snowdrop to Grow?
Suppose you’re trying to decide between buying Snowdrop plants or growing them yourself. In that case, the answer to this question might help your decision.
It will take a snowdrop plant seven years from a seedling to reach the flowering stage. This is a long time to wait if you’re hoping to fill your garden with this gorgeous plant this winter season. So, in that instance, many people prefer buying a snowdrop planter or a potted snowdrop bud.
How Should I Cut Snowdrop Flowers?
When your snowdrops have grown tall and flowered beautifully, you can share them with your friends and family. Snowdrops look beautiful in a bouquet and are a perfect way to cheer up your loved ones in the miserable month of January.
Plus, you might also need to make room for the new stems beginning to grow!
So, if you’re ready to cut your snowdrop flowers, you should make sure to pick the long stems and sear the stem end in boiling water. You should do this for just ten seconds and then put them into deep, cold water to extend their vase life.
Do Snowdrop Flowers Need Pruning?
When it comes to flower keeping, you might often hear the term pruning. It seems a lot of plants need to be pruned in order for them to flourish.
However, when it comes to snowdrop flowers, this is not the case! You can simply let the foliage of your snowdrop plants die and fall away naturally with no damage or quality caused to the flower itself. This makes keeping snowdrops a lot simpler and ideal for beginners.
Choosing the Perfect Winter Plant
We hope our guide to snowdrop flowers has given you the information you need to keep and grow these flourishing flowering plants.
Alternatively, you might be inspired to find more winter plants to decorate your home and garden. You can explore our entire Christmas collection, where you can browse iconic Christmas plants such as poinsettia flowers, hyacinth bulbs and cyclamen plants. Among many more!
If you’re looking for gifting inspiration, we are connoisseurs in that area. At Plants by Post, we think plants are the perfect Christmas present, so we are pleased to offer a collection of Christmas gifts filled with houseplants and outdoor plant gifts. So, sit back with a hot chocolate this winter and have fun shopping for the ultimate gifts for plant lovers!