The Snowdrop

There are about 20 known species of snowdrop, native to Europe and the Middle East in the Amaryllis plant family. Probably the most common species are Galanthus nivalis, G. elwesii and G. plicatus. Many hybrid and cultivated snowdrops have arisen from just these three species.

There are 39 different species, varieties, cultivars and hybrids of snowdrop (Galanthus) to see here from early spring. Most are planted outside permanently, but some are also displayed on rotation within the Mountains House in our Glasshouse Range.

A clump of snowdrops with yellow colouring was found in the early 1970s at Wandlebury, a local nature reserve. It was named ‘Wendy’s Gold’, after the finder's wife. Most of the bulbs were lost to disease. Luckily, some bulbs were given to us, and all stock today came from these.

In cold spells you will often see snowdrops collapse to the ground, only to resurrect themselves once the temperature rises. Snowdrops, have special ‘anti-freeze’ proteins that help inhibit ice crystals formation, protecting the plant cells from damage. 

The outer segments of snowdrop petals move in response to changes in temperature. When air temperatures are above 10°C, pollinating insects such as bees are likely to be flying, and the petals move upwards and outwards, opening the flower for them. 

Studying the timing of life events of plants helps us understand their response to climate change. The average flowering date of the common snowdrop has moved from around the end of February in the 1950s to early January in the 1990s.

Snowdrops can symbolise chastity, consolation, death, friendship in adversity, hope and purity. Christians dedicated them to the Virgin Mary, scattering the flowers on altars on Candlemas Day (2 February) and bringing bunches into churches as symbols of purity.