Snowdrops - #floweringnotes

 

They lighten up an otherwise green/brown filled view; The winter flowering snowdrop can be found in woodland, ditches, pastures and orchards across the country. Growing between January and March they are often one of the first signs of new life in winter months. ⁠ ⁠

The first reference to snowdrops in our gardens dates back to 1597 but it was Carl Linnaeus who in 1754 stuck them in the Amaryllidaceae family and named them Galanthus nivalis, a typical Greek/Latin botanical hotch-potch meaning approximately “milk flower of the snow”. Snowdrops were also anciently known as “Candlemas Bells”, reflecting their traditional flowering time around February 2.

- Helen Yemm - Why we all love snowdrops so much for The Telegraph⁠ ⁠

Whether I find them on a walk or come across a photograph of them, I can’t help but smile. They are such a symbol of seasonality for me, which as you might know by now is something that I am highly interested in. As we have learnt our fascination with snowdrops dates back quite a way, but what other history has this tiny flowering bulb gained.

What’s in a name?⁠

Snowdrops’ scientific name is Galanthus, which translates as ‘milk flower’, but over the years they’ve gained other names such as ‘February fairmaids’ and ‘Candlemas bells’. One variation of the flower is called ‘Green Man’....⁠ ⁠ They’re often seen to symbolise purity and hope, but folklore also states that bringing a single one of these white flowers inside will bring ill-fortune, hence another name – ‘death flower’. Alternatively it might just cause your milk to sour and eggs to spoil, which isn’t quite as ominous.⁠ ⁠ The Gaelic festival Imbolc marks the beginning of spring, and snowdrops are the symbol of this occasion.

- The National Trust - from their great article on The best places to see snowdrops.⁠ ⁠

Tip: If you are interested in growing snowdrops ^ this article has a few ideas that might help.


A #floweringnotes blog post by Sue Davies | Flowers & Garden.

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