- Botanical name: Galanthus nivalis
- Common name: Snowdrop
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
White
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Attractive to wildlife
For many gardeners the snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, heralds the end of winter. It’s extraordinarily hardy, and can be relied on to flower very early whatever the weather – the colder and gloomier it is, the longer the blooms last, but in a sunny warm season they are comparatively fleeting.
Galanthus nivalis grows in most soils, but grows best in heavier, moist soils. It’s most successfully transplanted while growing (in the green), and dry bulbs often take a season to settle down before flowering. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
How to grow Galanthus nivalis
-
Plant size
15cm height
8cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, south facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Galanthus nivalis and wildlife
Galanthus nivalis is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Galanthus nivalis poisonous?
Galanthus nivalis can be toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Galanthus nivalis
