Snowdrops are perennials, which are mainly found in nature, but can also be grown in the country. In total, about 20 varieties of this species are found in natural conditions. flower culture, and some of them are listed in the Red Book.
From this article you will learn which varieties of rare and ornamental plants exist, and you can also get acquainted with their external features.
Types of snowdrops with photos and names
Scientists still cannot name exact amount varieties, but they agree that there are more than 20 of them. However, many plants are very similar in appearance and differ only in a few small details.
Since they are successfully used to decorate gardens, let’s look at the most popular types, and their photos will help you decide which variety is best to grow.
Alpine
This bulbous plant, which is successfully cultivated on summer cottages, although it also occurs in nature. Flowering begins in the fourth year after planting: at the end of winter or in early spring Long green leaves appear from under the soil, and later small white buds.
Figure 1. Alpine variety plants At the end of spring, when the flowering period ends, small boxes with seeds appear that can be used for propagation. For growing, you can also use baby bulbs that form on the mother bush. IN wildlife found in the Alps and the Caucasus, but is successfully cultivated in other climatic zones.
Byzantine
Its homeland is the Asian coast of the Bosphorus Strait. It is also successfully grown in Europe, although it has not yet become widespread in our country.
Note: In fact, the variety is a variety of folded, and is valued for its high decorativeness.
A characteristic feature of the variety is its unusual flowering period. Unlike other species, Byzantine blooms not in spring, but in autumn. Its appearance is also unusual: a white carved inflorescence is surrounded by several long snow-white petals.
Caucasian
As the name suggests, the plant is found in the Caucasus, mainly in the central regions. Like other varieties, it has long and narrow green leaves and a white inflorescence (Figure 2).
Figure 2. External features Caucasian variety A characteristic feature is the presence of small green inclusions with inside petals. Flowering begins in March and lasts about two weeks. At the same time, it will not be possible to receive seeds every year, since fruiting is irregular. In addition, when grown at home, the crop requires shelter for the winter.
Snow-white
This variety is considered the most popular in our country, and perhaps everyone has seen it. It has long narrow leaves, and the inflorescences are quite large and can reach 30 mm in diameter.
Note: It grows quite quickly without human intervention. If you plant it in a free area of your dacha, within a few years the plants will spread throughout the entire garden bed.
The special feature is relatively early start flowering and its long duration. You can admire the delicate buds already in early March and until April, for about 25-30 days. The crop can be propagated by both seeds and bulbs, but in some cases self-seeding is also possible.
folded
Externally, it is significantly different from others. First of all, it is quite tall (up to 25 cm). In addition, it has large inflorescences, the diameter of which can reach 40 mm. But it should be taken into account that during the flowering period one plant can throw out only one peduncle (Figure 3).
Figure 3. External features of pleated flowers It is found naturally in the mountainous regions of Romania, Moldova and Ukraine, but is also successfully cultivated in summer cottages. Like other species, flowering begins in March and continues for two to three weeks. The culture is highly decorative, as it quickly grows on its own, forming a lush carpet. In such conditions for one square meter there may be up to 25 plants.
Elveza
Under natural conditions, it is found in Eastern Europe, where it is successfully grown in culture. The flower is considered quite tall and large: the height can reach 25 cm, and the bud size is 5 cm. In addition, they are distinguished by their bright pleasant aroma(Figure 4).
Figure 4. Features of the Elveza variety Another one distinctive feature- long flowering. The first buds appear at the end of winter or early spring and do not fade within 30 days.
Many people associate early spring with these small, delicate flowers, because they are the first to emerge from under the snow and are pleasing to the eye after the winter cold.
Figure 5. First spring flowers Many have seen green carpet ordinary garden flowers, so we suggest that you familiarize yourself with their photos in natural conditions (Figure 5).
Photo of snowdrop from the Red Book
Despite the fact that many species are successfully grown in gardens and greenhouses, forest species are endangered due to human fault. By picking them, people not only destroy the natural beauty, but also prevent the flowers from reproducing naturally, since the bulbs of the crop are often damaged during harvesting.
Figure 6. Appearance plants listed in the Red Book At the moment, the forest species is listed in the Red Book and picking it is prohibited by law (Figure 6). But, unfortunately, this does not stop poachers at all, who pull out flowers in early spring (often along with bulbs) for sale. In fact, this makes no sense at all, since in appearance they are practically no different from other species that can be grown in the country or in a greenhouse for sale.
In the video you can see what they look like different varieties of this culture, including those listed in the Red Book.
Photo of white snowdrops
You can admire the carpet of white inflorescences in a painting, but it is much more pleasant to grow such plants in the garden. Seeds collected with your own hands or bulbs purchased in a specialized store are suitable for this.
Figure 7. Photo of white spring flowers The value of plants is preserved only if they are in a flower bed. If you pick these flowers, the bouquet will last no longer than a few days, whereas in the garden they can delight you for a month.
Snowdrop (Galanthus)- herbaceous plant of the Amaryllis family, genus perennial herbs(there are about 20 species in nature, most of which grow in the Caucasus and Asia).
Biologists cannot say exactly how many species of snowdrops exist today, since they have several opinions on this matter. However, they are all confident that the number of plant varieties exceeds 18. Snowdrops of many species are largely similar to each other and have approximately same sizes, and they received their names either from the place where they grew, or in honor of the people who discovered and explored them.
Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to bloom immediately after the snow cover melts, and many people can easily recognize them even in photos, but for those who are still unfamiliar with snowdrops, we will give short description and the name of the most common species of this plant.
Admiring these fragile flowers, few people thought about what types of snowdrops are listed in the Red Book, although in fact, almost all of them are noted in it, except for the snow-white snowdrop. All species are at risk of extinction to one degree or another, since they are found in the wild only in certain areas in limited quantities, and deforestation, destruction of soil in their habitats, environmental pollution and digging up their bulbs for cultivation at home can affect the extinction such a plant as snowdrop.
We will now tell you what a real snowdrop of each of the main species looks like, and the attached photos will clearly demonstrate the beauty of these marvelous plants.
Did you know? The name "snowdrop" literally means "milk flower".
Alpine snowdrop (Galanthus alpinus) - a herbaceous bulbous plant, the length of the bulb is 25-35 mm, and the diameter is 15-20 mm. Broadly-lanceolate leaves of a dark green color, up to 7 cm long, although after flowering they can grow up to 20 cm. The peduncle reaches a length of 7-9 cm, the outer perianth leaves are obovate, slightly concave, up to 20 mm wide and up to 10 mm long, the inner ones are half as large, wedge-shaped, with a depression surrounded by a greenish spot.
The plant begins to bloom 4 years after planting. It blooms in late winter and early spring with white flowers, and in late spring a fruit with small seeds appears. Reproduction is possible both by seed and vegetatively - with the help of baby bulbs that are formed in an adult plant. The homeland of the alpine snowdrop is the lower and alpine zones, as well as Western Transcaucasia. 
Snowdrop Byzantine
Byzantine snowdrop (Galanthus byzantinus) grows on the Asian coast of the Bosphorus. Flower growers in countries love to grow it Western Europe, although this species has not yet become widespread in our country. Prefers turfed open areas. Byzantine snowdrop is the closest variety of folded snowdrop.
Its flowering period occurs in autumn: first, a low peduncle with a green spot appears at the base of the inner perianth leaves. The appearance of the snowdrop is unusual: a white carved flower with many long petals. The leaves are green, narrow, approximately 5-6 cm long, erect. 
Caucasian snowdrop (Galanthus caucasicus) - a plant with linear flat shiny green leaves, reaching a length of up to 25 cm. The bulb is yellowish, up to 40 mm long, up to 25 mm in diameter. A peduncle 6-10 cm high produces a white fragrant flower 20-25 mm long and approximately 15 mm in diameter.
The perianth lobes on the inner side are partially green in color. Flowering occurs from the end of March and lasts 12-15 days. Fruiting is irregular, and shelter is required for wintering. The Caucasian snowdrop's habitat is more concentrated in Central Transcaucasia.
Important! Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous, so protective gloves should be used when replanting this plant.
Bortkevich's snowdrop (Galanthus bortkewitschianus) grows in the wild in the North Caucasus, preferring beech plantations. It received its name in honor of the dendrologist Bortkevich.
The bulb of the plant is approximately 30-40 mm long, 20-30 mm in diameter. Snowdrop leaves are rich green in color with a bluish tint, lanceolate, during the flowering period they are 4-6 cm long, but after that they grow to 25-30 cm in length and up to 2 cm in width. The peduncle grows approximately 5-6 cm high with a wing and peduncle 3-4 cm long. The Bortkevich snowdrop flower can be characterized by the following description: the outer perianth leaves are concave, reverse ovoid, approximately 15 mm long and 8-10 mm wide, with a depression at the apex and green coloring around the recess.
Krasnov's snowdrop (G. krasnovii) grows by Black Sea coast Caucasus and Turkey, prefers beech, hornbeam and mixed forests. The flower received its name in honor of the botanist A. Krasnov.
The bulb of the plant is 20-35 mm long, 20-25 mm in diameter, and the bright green leaf during flowering reaches a length of 11-17 cm and a width of about 2 cm; after flowering, the leaves grow up to 25 cm. The peduncle reaches 13- 15 cm, with a wing up to 4 cm long, with barely noticeable green keels. The outer perianth leaves are slightly concave, 2-3 cm long, and about 1 cm wide, the inner ones are elongated with a pointed end, 10-15 cm long, about 5 mm wide. Flowering occurs in early spring.
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) the most common in our country, growing rapidly and spreading over fairly large areas. The bulb is spherical, with a diameter of 10-20 mm. The leaves are flat, rich green in color, approximately 10 cm long, peduncles grow up to 12 cm high. The flowers are very large, up to 30 mm in diameter, and have a green spot on the edge of the tepals. The outer perianth leaves are elongated, the inner ones are much shorter, wedge-shaped.
The snow-white snowdrop blooms earlier than other species, and the flowering period lasts up to 25-30 days. This species has many varieties and varieties. Reproduction occurs both vegetatively and by seed; self-sowing is possible. 
Snowdrop (Galanthus plathyphyllus) has a large bulb up to 5 cm long, from which grow erect leaves, rich green in color, up to 16 cm long. A tall peduncle (up to 20 cm) produces a large white bell-shaped flower, the outer petals of which are elliptical in shape and cover the shorter and rounded ones internal. There is no indentation on the petals, but there is a noticeable green spot.
The broadleaf snowdrop blooms in late spring for 18-21 days. Fruits are not formed; the plant reproduces by vegetative method. This species is common at the foot of the Alpine mountains, ideal for growing in our latitudes in fertile, loose soil with sufficient lighting.
Did you know?It has been noted that longer and colder winters also extend the duration of snowdrop flowering in the spring.
Snowdrop (G. plicatus) is one of the tallest species of snowdrops with quite large flower and characteristic downward-curved leaf edges. It grows in the wild in the mountainous areas of Ukraine, Romania and Moldova.
The plant bulb is ovoid, up to 30 mm in diameter, covered with light-colored scales. The leaves are pale green with a bluish tint, but after flowering ends their color becomes dark green. The peduncle grows up to 20-25 cm, and on it there is a single fragrant drooping flower, 25-30 mm long and up to 40 mm in diameter, which subsequently produces a fruit-box with seeds.
Flowering begins in March and lasts approximately 20 days. Reproduction is by seed and bulbous. The folded snowdrop grows densely in the adjacent area; there can be up to 25 plants per 1 m², which, when blooming, form a beautiful flower bed.
Cilician snowdrop (G. silicicus) grows in the foothills of the mountains of Asia Minor and Transcaucasia. The bulb is wedge-shaped, 15-23 mm long, and up to 20 mm in diameter. The linear leaves are matte green in color and grow up to 15 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. The peduncle is 14-16 cm long with a wing 3 cm long. The outer perianth leaves are 19-22 mm long, elongated-oval, slightly tapering at the base, the inner ones are elongated, up to 10 mm long, have a depression at the apex with a partial green color. Flowering occurs in mid-spring. 
Corfu snowdrop (G. corcyrensis Stern)- got its name from its place of growth - the island of Corfu, and is also found in Sicily. Flowering occurs in late autumn, and characteristic feature This rare and endangered snowdrop is characterized by the simultaneous appearance of leaves and flowers. This species is medium in size, with a fairly large flower up to 25-30 mm long and 30-40 mm in diameter. The inner petals have a distinctive green pattern.
Elwes snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) up to 25 cm high, grows in the territory of Eastern Europe, it is also cultivated there. Leaves up to 30 mm wide, bluish in color. The flowers are large, spherical, up to 5 cm long, and very fragrant. The inner tepals are marked with green spots. Flowering begins at the end of winter and lasts up to 30 days.
It got its name in honor of the collector M. Foster. Snowdrop of this species grows in Western Asia, but the flowers are cultivated in Western Europe. Flowering begins in early spring and lasts up to 15 days.
The leaves are narrow, lanceolate, up to 14 cm long, while the peduncle reaches a length of 10 cm. The flowers are medium in size. The outer tepals are concave, with characteristic green spots near the depression at the base, as well as at the tip of the inner leaf.
Greek snowdrop
Greek snowdrop (Galanthus graecus) grows in the forested foothills of Greece, Romania and Bulgaria.
The plant bulb is oblong, up to 15 mm long and up to 10 mm in diameter. The leaves are bluish-green, up to 8 cm long and up to 8 mm wide, the leaf blade is wavy. The peduncle grows up to 8-9 cm, the wing is about 3 cm. The outer narrow leaves of the perianth reach 25 mm in length, the inner ones are half as much.
Flowering begins in April and lasts up to 15 days. Reproduction is vegetative.
Important! Snowdrop bulbs require prompt planting within 12-18 hours after digging, since outside the ground they quickly dry out and die.
Icarian snowdrop (Galanthus ikariae Baker) grows on the rocky soil of the islands of Greece. In our country it was not cultivated in open ground.
The bulb is 20-30 mm long and 15-25 mm in diameter, the leaves are dull green in color, up to 9 cm long before flowering and grow up to 20 cm after it. The peduncle reaches a height of up to 22 cm, the wing - 2.5-4 cm. The outer leaves of the perianth are concave, lanceolate, up to 25 mm long. The inner leaves are wedge-shaped, up to 12 mm long, have a green spot that occupies half the area of the leaf. Flowering occurs in April.
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Shortly after Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise, winter came. It lasted a long time, severe frosts reigned on the ground, and the cold, merciless snow spared absolutely no one. In the end, Eva could not stand it and burst into tears. She cried not so much from pain and cold, but from regret about the mistake she had made and about the lost paradise. And then the Lord took pity on her - and turned her tears into the most delicate flowers of this world. This is how snowdrops appeared in the snow, signaling the arrival of spring.
The forest snowdrop has long been a symbol of spring, purity, youth and freshness, and also speaks of the fact that you need to rejoice in both the present and the future, and drive away memories of failures from your heart - so it is not surprising that these gentle, beautiful flowers extremely popular.
Snowdrops, the first flowers of spring, or as the Greeks called them, galanthus (“milk flowers”) belong to the genus of perennial herbs of the amaryllis family, are early small-bulbous plants and are listed in the Red Book.
Snowdrops grow in the wild in forests: in the center and south of the European continent, there are many of them on the coast of the Black and Caspian Seas, as well as in Asia Minor. These flowers are preferred sunny areas, although they grow without problems in the shade, they cannot tolerate areas with stagnant water.
Appearance
Snowdrop flowers white, have green spots from the very edge of the petals (plants of other colors are not snowdrops). The elegant bell-shaped shape of galanthus is given by the structure of its petals: the flower has six petals, three of which are outer (longer), three are inner (shorter).
This flower has few leaves, the shape is narrow, flat, dark green or gray-green. Galanthus leaves are usually about 1 cm wide. The plant's bulb is round in shape, from which only one flower grows, and small: about three centimeters in diameter.
Varieties
In total, there are 18 species and two natural hybrids of galanthus, most of which are listed in the Red Book. Twelve of them grow in the post-Soviet space (most of all in the Caucasus).
Three types of these plants are especially popular:
- Galanthus are snow-white. The white snowdrop (has more than 50 varieties) not only blooms earlier than all its relatives, but also blooms the longest - about 30 days. These plants are of medium length - from 7 to 12 cm; their flowers are graceful, white, with a yellow spot inside, and have a pleasant aroma.
- Snowdrops are snowy. Snowdrops are one of the most popular types This plant blooms in mid to late March and grows in the forests of Europe. Height - from 10 to 15 cm, leaves are flat, gray-green in color, width from 0.4 to 1 cm, length - 10 cm. The flower of this plant species has a cut, but otherwise looks like most representatives of its genus - medium in size, with drooping bell, white with a green spot.
- Galanthus Elwes. Elwes snowdrops can be seen in the forests of Asia Minor, and they begin to bloom earlier than snowdrops and are larger in size. The height of the Elwes snowdrop is from 15 to 25 m, the leaves are bluish-green, their width can rarely reach 2 cm, and the snowdrop flowers are white, large, spherical.
Plants of the Red Book
The forest snowdrop turned out to be a victim of human love, because after a harsh snowy winter, people hungry for greenery are not averse to bringing home a bouquet of snowdrops and decorating their apartment with them. They are picked completely in vain - by this time the forest snowdrop has just appeared, it does not have a special appearance, since it has not yet bloomed, and these flowers do not last long - only a few days.
If the snowdrop is forest used to grow up in many countries, now there are extremely few galanthus left, since people, picking them to make a bouquet of snowdrops, also often spoil the bulb, rendering it completely unusable.
These plants suffer especially at the beginning of spring, during the spring holidays, when on March 8 women are given these delicate-looking flowers.
The forest snowdrop is listed in the Red Book as an endangered species, which means picking and collecting it in the forest in order to form a bouquet of snowdrops is prohibited. At the same time, as long as there is demand, there will always be supply, and therefore, already at the end of spring, snowdrops picked in the forest are sold in huge quantities on the streets and markets of both large and small cities.
When buying forest snowdrops, you must always keep in mind that poachers thus receive a good income and a tangible incentive to find, dig up snowdrops in the snow next year and bring them to the city (no fines provided for by law scare them, after all, the benefit is still greater).
Greenhouse plants
If you really want to please yourself and your loved ones with galanthus and bring home a bouquet of snowdrops, you can purchase plants grown in greenhouses (to make sure that the seller is not a scammer, just ask him for a certificate). Flower growers grow this plant with pleasure, since it is not very difficult to do.
Flowers are not absolutely unpretentious: despite the fact that they tolerate changes in weather and temperature well, they are very demanding of the soil - therefore, to plant these flowers, gardeners specially purchase a snowdrop greenhouse, ideal for installation in the ground or in a greenhouse (it prevents the soil from overcooling and creates optimal conditions for growing galanthus).
Before planting the bulbs, the soil is well fertilized with peat or humus. It is extremely undesirable to plant these plants in the spring during the flowering period, since they rarely take root and almost always die. A snowdrop is transplanted into a greenhouse after the leaves of the flower have died (mid-summer), when the old snowdrop roots have already died off and new ones have not yet appeared.
Considering that it is difficult for dried bulbs to take root (and they are mostly sold in this condition), they should be planted in the ground immediately after purchase to a depth of 6 to 8 cm. Flower growers recommend replanting snowdrop plants once every five to six years. Snowdrops grow well without transplanting and for a longer period.
These plants can also be planted with seeds - but in this case you will have to be patient: the seedlings will bloom in best case scenario in the third year. Seeds must be sown immediately after they are collected, as they very quickly become unusable and lose their viability.
Everyone knows whose photo is even in the children's primer. It's small beautiful plant first to come to life after winter. First it produces a couple of leaves, and very soon it blooms with white bells with drooping heads. He's not afraid of anything winter frosts, nor snow. And if numerous white bells carpet sure sign that spring is coming. After all, it is the snowdrop flower that warns us about the approach of warm days.
Description
Scientifically, this plant is called galanthus. It belongs to the genus of perennial herbs from the Amaryllis family, which unites eighteen subspecies. The plant is most common in the Crimea, the Caucasus and the Most species - about sixteen - are found in the Caucasus.
No one names the exact number of varieties of this plant. The snowdrop flower, so beloved by us, the photo of which even children will recognize, is a low herbaceous plant with two linear leaves up to twenty centimeters long. They come out immediately, simultaneously with the flower stalks.
Single, drooping bells have a white perianth consisting of six leaflets. The outer three are elliptical or obovate, while the inner ones are wedge-shaped and have a green spot at the top. Snowdrop is a flower with a pleasant, but very weak scent. It has round, fleshy fruits in the form of a box with three compartments. They contain a few black seeds. The latter have a succulent appendage to attract ants, which take them away and thus spread the plants.
The snowdrop flower has ovoid or conical bulbs, which are a compact group of modified leaves planted on one common base.
Landing
The best time to plant this plant is from July to September. If there is a long warm autumn, planting can be extended until early November. Today on the market the snowdrop flower is often sold in bloom, but this is not entirely correct, because as soon as planting material ends up in the ground, its leaves wither and turn yellow, and soon die completely. And although the bulb remains alive, it can be weakened. True, on next year such a plant blooms weakly or does not bloom at all, although it does not die.
Peculiarities
Galanthus bulbs do not tolerate drying. They cannot be kept in the air for more than a month, but if it is not possible to plant them in the ground, they should be sprinkled with sawdust or shavings and placed in a plastic bag. Bulbs are planted according to next rule: placed in loose soil at a depth equal to two onions, and at heavy soil to a depth equal to one onion. But in any case, you cannot plant snowdrops deeper than five centimeters.
Snowdrop is a flower that itself regulates the depth of germination of its root system. If it is planted too deeply, it forms on the peduncle new onion, but already at the required depth.
Growing
First spring Flower- snowdrop loves shaded but sun-warmed places and soil with good drainage. When transplanting wild species, you need to choose a more illuminated area. This culture is winter-hardy, which is not surprising. After all, the first snowdrop is a flower that breaks right out from under the snow. In autumn, galanthus should be covered with a small layer of loose compost.
You need to be careful when feeding this crop. Snowdrops do not tolerate fresh manure, so complex mineral fertilizers are most suitable for them.
These plants are bred for floral decoration of areas. They look very nice in large groups both in rock gardens and in the form of carpets - under bushes and trees in light partial shade. Some landscape designers use snowdrops to create white lawns in the middle of lawns.
Kinds
The Amaryllidaceae family includes eighteen species. The most common of them is the white snowdrop. His homeland is the forests of the Carpathians. The flower reaches fifteen centimeters in height. This species also includes Viridapisis, which blooms in February, Lutescens, which has an identifying mark - a yellow spot, as well as double Flore Pleno, Pusi Green Tip, Ophelia and many others.
Another species is the Elwes snowdrop, native to Asia. He, unlike previous varieties, taller - up to twenty-five centimeters. It has bluish-green wide leaves, large spherical. This is the very first snowdrop. Its flower appears in early February. Today, many Elwes hybrids have been bred, which are distinguished by decorativeness and great endurance. The most popular is the Arnott variety with large flowers that have a fragrant aroma.
Other species such as Galanthus plicatus or Folded, which gave rise to many interesting garden forms, Icarian, which came to us from Greece and today grows beautifully in Krasnaya Polyana in Sochi, as well as snowdrops of Forster, Voronov and many others are widespread in botanical gardens our country.
Uncontrolled collection of these wonderful representatives flora led to the fact that many varieties had to be listed in the Red Book. This means that every year it becomes more and more difficult to meet them in their natural environment.
Home care
These flowers can be grown not only in the yard, but also at home - in a pot or bowl. The snowdrop, which is the first to bloom among all bulbous plants, produces buds in the middle of winter. To do this, it must be taken out of the room.
Since we are talking about a very hardy and cold-loving plant that can survive at temperatures up to ten degrees below zero, it is not difficult to guess that it is warm room will die. Therefore, during flowering, you need to keep the snowdrop in a very cold room.
Conditions for growing at home
Two months after planting should be kept in complete darkness. Then he will need to completely exclude direct sunlight.
The optimal temperature for the bulb in the dark is about zero degrees, and during flowering - a maximum of 10°C, otherwise the plant will die.
After planting the bulb, the soil should be thoroughly moistened and then left alone, without watering, until the pot is moved to light. After this, it is necessary to maintain soil moisture by watering twice a week.
Snowdrops cannot be sprayed. Moreover, during flowering they need good ventilation, and when it ends, you need to cut off the wilted heads and let the leaves die naturally. If the plants have been fed, they need to be transplanted into open ground. Otherwise, they will not bloom again in the same pot.
The best species to grow at home is Galantus nivalis - a common snowdrop that blooms from mid-winter to April. Today, unfortunately, you can rarely find this flower in an apartment or even in a garden. And in vain! After all, even when winter still reigns all around, you can be sure that its days are numbered, when from under the snow, crawling through dead wood, a snowdrop flower appears on the site, and when it grows at home in a pot, then the “weather” is good and the mood in the family secured.
If you ask someone to name the first spring flower, the answer will undoubtedly be snowdrop. These cute miniature flowers in thawed patches of snow evoke delight and tenderness in everyone. Indeed, snowdrops are the first to open their inflorescences after a long cold winter on the lawns near the house or in the forest.
First, two green leaves appear, and then drooping heads of white inflorescences appear. They are not afraid of snowy weather, frosts and night frosts in spring. Therefore, snowdrops soon become a true decoration of any site. Besides this sure sign that winter will soon end and spring is already on the doorstep.
general description
Snowdrop honorably represents the Amaryllidaceae family, a genus of perennial herbaceous plants, numbering almost 18 species. Flowers are most widespread in the European region, the Crimean Peninsula, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. You can see in the photo different types snowdrops. However, in the Caucasus you can find almost 16 varieties of the flower. Snowdrop or galanthus comes from the Latin Galanthus.
Scientists still cannot come to a conclusion unanimous opinion How many types of plants are there? Sometimes they cannot even unanimously identify the found flower as belonging to any existing or emerging species.
But in nature sometimes there are varieties of plants with a pair of elongated leaves about 10-20 cm and the simultaneous appearance of a peduncle. The shape of the flower is bell-shaped, the inflorescence droops downwards, the flowers grow one at a time. The white perianth has six leaflets. Three of them are external, elliptical in shape, the remaining are internal, in the form of a wedge, at the peak of which there is a green spot, possibly a small notch.
The smell of snowdrops is pleasant, but not strong and even rather very weak. The shape of the fruit resembles a round, full box, which has three compartments for storing a small amount of black seeds.
The juicy appendage located on the seeds attracts ants, and they, in turn, take them away in all directions, expanding the halo of growth.
Flowers have root system in the form of an ovoid or conical bulb. Outwardly, it resembles a compact collection of thick scales or deformed leaves, fixed on a thick bottom. Daughter bulbs grow from buds located in the axils of the scales.
The upper scales are used to protect against damage; they are thinner, drier and darker in color. Due to the bulb, which is a storage device nutrients, the plant tolerates unfavorable climatic conditions well, remaining dormant for about 9 months.
Absolutely all types of snowdrops are protected objects; moreover, their rarest species are at the stage of extinction, and it is possible to bring these species back to life only if they are grown in cultivation.
The name of the flower is Greek origin, therefore translated as milk flower, which most likely reflects the color of the inflorescence. People say that it was given this name for its ability to grow among the snow and bloom with the first breath of spring, regardless of weather conditions.
There are many legends about these amazing delicate flowers. For example, about Adam and Eve. When they were expelled from the Garden of Eden, the winter cold reigned all around, and snow was blowing. Eve cried from the cold, remembering the lost warmth paradises. To console her, God created some snowdrops from the swarming snowflakes. This means that they are not only the first spring flowers, but also the first flowers on our planet.
Features of cultivation
It is better to purchase bulbs and plant them from July to September, during which time they are dormant. If autumn is warm, then planting can be moved until November.
You should not purchase plants with blossoming inflorescences, otherwise they will not survive after planting. In this case, the bulb will not die. In the near future it will bloom sluggishly or not bloom at all, but it will be alive.
When purchasing dormant bulbs, pay attention to their condition. Choose bulbs with a dense structure, weighty, with an intact shell, without shoots of stems and rhizomes, with an intact bottom, without mold, dents or deformations. If the bulbs are soft, it means they are already rotting.
You should not store the plant bulbs for a long time; they may dry out, as they will not tolerate being in the air for more than a month. If it is not possible to plant them in a timely manner, you need to place them in a perforated bag with sawdust or shavings. Their shelf life in this form will be 2-3 months.
When planting snowdrops, loosen the soil and lower the bulbs into the ground approximately 5 cm (at least). The flowers themselves will cope with adjusting the depth, since when the bulb is placed deep, they will release another one on the flower stem, thereby adjusting the size of the depth.
But it is not at all necessary to comply specific value depths. The only caveat of shallowly deepening the bulb is that the bulbs themselves will be smaller, but “babies” will quickly appear.
Snowdrops love shady but warm, sunny places with excellent soil drainage. Tolerant to low temperature conditions. The soil should be moist, loosened, nutritious and drained. No special watering regime is required, except during periods of drought.
Snowdrop photo
