Snowdrops (Galanthus)

spring flowers · bulb plants · wildflowers · hardy

Early spring bloomers. Snowdrops are among the first flowers to bloom each year, often poking through snow while everything else is still frozen. Their scientific name is Galanthus, which comes from Greek words meaning milk and flower.

Fancy bell shape. Each snowdrop plant has just one drooping flower that looks like a tiny bell. The flower has six white petal-like pieces arranged in two circles, with the inner ones decorated with beautiful green markings.

Two simple leaves. Snowdrops are pretty minimal plants, with just two long, skinny leaves per plant. All the action is in that one perfect little flower.

About 20 species worldwide. Scientists have identified roughly 20 different kinds of snowdrops, each with slight differences in size, markings, or when they bloom. Some are more common than others, but they're all members of the same plant family as amaryllis.

Bulbs underground. Like tulips and daffodils, snowdrops grow from bulbs buried in the soil. The bulb stores up energy so the plant can burst into bloom at the very first chance of spring.