Originally believed to be a wildflower native to Britain, the snowdrop is actually native to Europe and the Middle East. It was brought to Britain by the Romans and is a small genus of about 20 species of plants in the Amaryllidaceae family. They have been known by other names in early history however, it was Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, who named the snowdrop the Galanthus nivalis, “milk flower of the snow,” in 1753. It has been introduced into other areas outside of Europe and the Middle East where it has naturalized.
The Snowdrop in British Culture
Snowdrops rapidly gained popularity in the 19th century and with the surge of both botany and floral symbolism became associated with hope and purity; not surprising when you think of the small white flowers pushing through the cold earth during the late dreary winter months.
There was, however, a dark superstition associated with the little plant which probably developed from swathes of the bulbs being planted in and around graveyards during the Victorian era. In many areas of the country, the snowdrop became a harbinger of death and impending doom if cut and brought into the home and this superstition persisted well into the 20th century.
Happily, this is no longer the case and there’s nothing better than a small vase of snowdrops to create a little magic in the house during the bleak winter months!
The Snowdrop has also found it’s use in medicine. The alkaloid Galantamine, used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, was first isolated from the snowdrop Galanthus woronowii. Galantamine is also found in other members of the Amaryllis plant family (Amaryllidaceae) such as Narcissus and Leucojum. Today, Galantamine is mainly produced from plants: chemical synthesis is possible, but it is difficult and expensive.
The term Galanthophile
Galanthus bulbs have, since the mid-19th century, attracted their own fan club. Horticulturalist and plantsman E. A. Bowles, an avid galanthus collector, wrote a letter to a fellow enthusiast entitled ‘Dear Galanthopil’ and it’s assumed this is where the word galanthophile originated.
Rare Snowdrops can fetch hundreds of pounds per bulb. It was botanist Henry John Elwes who, on a trip to Turkey in 1874 in the mountains near Smyrna (modern Izmir), came across "the fine large snowdrop “which now bears his name 'Galanthus elwesii'.
His great grandson Sir Henry Elwes owns Colesbourne Park estate in Gloucestershire which has more varieties of snowdrop than possibly any other garden in the world. It has up to 350 types across ten acres. Rare hybrids of this elwesii are among the collectables sold by the estate. They include a yellow 'Carolyn Elwes' whose single bulbs change hands for £250. Others, including the 'E A Bowles', 'Florence Baker' and 'Seraph', each sell for £60. Yet even these prices are modest compared to the record which has recently been smashed for the most expensive snowdrop. A single new snowdrop bulb has sold on eBay for a record-breaking £1,850 (plus a modest £5 postage). Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Tears’ was bred by Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery, He previously broke records in 2015, when another of his introductions,‘Golden Fleece’, bred over the course of a decade, sold for an eye-watering £1,390.
The best time of year to plant snowdrops is in late March early April when the flowers have faded. This is known as ‘in the green’
Snowdrops naturalise quite quickly and can be divided every couple of years. This is best done ‘in the green’ just after they have flowered and this way you can ensure a fabulous display the next year.
Planting Snowdrops in the Green
Prepare a planting location ahead of time.
Make sure the soil is loose and dig a trench or hole and incorporate leaf mold or compost into the reserve soil and the hole.
Lay the bulbs with the leaves pointing towards the sun. Plant them at the level they were previously growing, you can tell where that is by finding the white area at the neck which was previously under soil. Back fill the hole and around the bulbs, compacting lightly. Water the plants immediately.
