If you ask someone to name the first spring Flower, then the answer will undoubtedly be a 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 inflorescences appear white. They are not afraid of snowy weather, frosts and night frosts in spring. Therefore, snowdrops soon become a true decoration of any site. In addition, this is a sure sign that winter will soon end and spring is already on the doorstep.
general description
The snowdrop proudly represents the Amaryllidaceae family, a genus of perennial herbaceous plants with 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 consensus on how many plant species there are. 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 a 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 storehouse of nutrients, the plant tolerates unfavorable conditions well. climatic conditions, being at rest 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 culture.
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 of paradise. 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 maintain a certain depth value. 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 temperatures temperature conditions. The soil should be moist, loosened, nutritious and drained. No special watering regime is required, except during periods of drought.
Snowdrop photo
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 are white and have green spots at 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 forest snowdrop used to grow in many countries, now there are extremely few galanthus left, since people, picking them to make a bouquet of snowdrops, often also 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 a huge number sold 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 the third year at best. Seeds must be sown immediately after they are collected, as they very quickly become unusable and lose their viability.
The snowdrop is the first to come to life after a long time winter cold. First, green leaves appear on it, and then a white bud, similar to a bell with a drooping head. This flower is not afraid of either snow or frost. The appearance of snowdrops in the garden heralds the imminent arrival of spring. Photos of snowdrop flowers can be found in our gallery.
Description of the flower
In scientific literature the plant is called galanthus. Snowdrop is a perennial herb and belongs to the Amaryllis family. It is distributed in the following areas:
- Crimea;
- Southern Europe;
- Asia Minor;
- Caucasus.
No one can accurately name the existing number of snowdrop varieties. This low herbaceous plant has two linear leaves that reach 20 cm in length. These leaves come out immediately along with the flower stalks. A single bell is surrounded by a white perianth, which consists of 6 leaves. The three petals are outer and elliptical in shape. The three inner leaves are wedge-shaped and have a green spot at the top. Although the flower has a pleasant smell, it is very faint.
The plant has round fruits in the shape of a box with 3 compartments, which contain a small amount of black seeds. The seeds have a succulent appendage that attracts ants. The ants take them away and thereby multiply the flower.
The snowdrop bulb has conical or ovoid shape, which has a compact group of modified leaves emerging from one common base. Snowdrop flower photo:
Landing
Most the right time The period for planting snowdrops is from July to September. If the autumn is warm for a long time, then planting can be extended until November. Currently, snowdrops are being sold already in bloom, which is not correct. After the flower is planted in the ground, all the leaves will wither and fall off, and then die completely. This bulb becomes very weak. On next year the plant may bloom weakly or will not bloom at all and will die.
The plant bulb does not like to dry out. Therefore, you should not keep them in the air for more than a month. If it is not possible to plant the bulb, you can sprinkle it with shavings and sawdust and place it in a bag. When planting, the snowdrop bulb is placed in the soil to a depth equal to two bulbs, if the soil is loose. And to a depth equal to one bulb if the soil is heavy. In both cases, the bulb cannot be deepened by more than 5 centimeters. Photo:
The flower has the ability to determine the depth to which it will be distributed. root system. If the bulb is planted deeply, it will form another bulb on the peduncle, which will grow at the required depth.
Growing
The plant loves dark, but sun-warmed places and good drainage. For wild species When planting, you need to choose the most illuminated place. This type of snowdrop is winter-hardy. Autumn flower can be cover with a layer of loose compost.
This plant must be fertilized with extreme caution. The flower does not like fresh manure. It is best to fertilize the flower with mineral fertilizers.
Kinds
As mentioned earlier, the amaryllis family includes 18 types of snowdrops. The most famous are:
Some varieties of snowdrop have been included in the Red Book, since the collection of flowers is uncontrolled. It becomes more and more difficult to find snowdrops in the wild every year.
In nature there is a coppice flower, which also appears during the first thawed patches; it is very similar to a snowdrop, only blue. It is also called blue or blue snowdrop, but in fact they are completely different plants.
Care
This flower is grown both in open ground and at home in a pot. Of all bulbous plant It blooms very first and already produces buds in the middle of winter. To do this, the flower must be taken out of the room.
IN warm room the plant may die. Because the flower is cold-loving, hardy and can withstand temperatures up to ten degrees cold. During the flowering period, the plant must be moved to a cool place.
After planting the bulb for 2 months, the plant is needed keep in dark place . And then move it to daylight, but avoid direct sunlight.
The optimal temperature in the dark for a plant is zero degrees, and during flowering the maximum is 10 degrees above zero, otherwise the plant may die. When planting a bulb, the soil should be well moistened, and then not watered until the pot is moved to the light. Next, you will need to water the flower twice a week.
snowdrop flower
Snowdrop or galanthus belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. Although this rare plant is listed in the Red Book, growing it on your own plot is not so difficult. Very quickly the flower spreads to large territory. The trembling inhabitants of the forest will delight you with the beauty of awakening nature and its delicate aroma. They suddenly appear in small groups in thawed areas. First, lush green shoots contrast with the snow, and then tiny flower heads bloom.
Snowdrops can exist not only on the street, but also in pots on the balcony. And miniature bouquets will last a long time in a vase, reminding you of the arrival of spring.
Botanical description
Galanthus is a tiny bulbous perennial. It is distributed in Central and Southern Europe, in middle lane Russia, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. The bulb is elongated vertically, its diameter is 2-3 cm. As it grows, children (small daughter bulbs) are formed under the outer scales.
The plant has a very short growing season. In early spring, when the sun begins to warm up more strongly and the snow melts, snowdrops awaken and produce their first leaves. Depending on the climate zone, this can happen from February to May. After a short flowering, the shoots die off and completely disappear by mid-summer.
The elongated bulbous neck contains 2-3 oblong lanceolate leaves of a dark green color. The length of the leaves ranges from 10 to 25 cm. Simultaneously with the leaves, a single peduncle appears. It carries a single drooping milky bell. The corolla consists of three elongated, oval bracts and three wedge-shaped, shorter petals. The flowers emit a faint but pleasant aroma.
After pollination, a seed capsule with dense walls ripens in place of the bud. Internal partitions divide it into 3 compartments. They contain several small black seeds.
Popular varieties
According to various classifications, there are 12-25 varieties in the Galanthus genus. This discrepancy is due to the fact that some plants are too similar to each other and botanists argue whether to classify them as separate species or to an already registered one. Let's look at the most famous and cultivated varieties.
The plant is common in the mountain forests of Transcaucasia. The yellowish bulb reaches a length of 4 cm and a width of 2 cm. Dark green flattened leaves with a waxy coating rise above it. The length of the plant is 18 cm. The peduncle, about 6 cm high, bears a snow-white bell. The outer bracts are obovate in shape, slightly curved, their length is about 2 cm. Inside there are wedge-shaped petals, they are half as long. On the petals, above the notch, a green spot is visible. Blooms in March.
This species is the most common in Russia for cultivation. It is actively growing and occupying adjacent territories. In mid-March, 2 narrow bluish-green leaves grow from the soil. Fragrant bells consist of elongated white petals. Closer to the pharynx there is a yellow spot on the perianth. Flowering lasts throughout April. This species became the basis for several hybrid varieties:
- Flore Peno is a double variety with greenish inner petals;
- Lutescens is a capricious plant with miniature pale flowers;
- Lady Elphinstone - terry variety with yellow spots on the inner petals;
- Arnot – long white bracts hide short flower with green spots;
- Viridapicis - blooms already at the end of February with large flowers, green spots are at the ends of all petals.
The plant is found in the alpine foothills and is most suitable for the northern regions. Above a large bulb 4-5 cm long are erect dark green leaves. During the flowering period, their length is 16 cm, and later reaches 20-25 cm. A white bell is located on a peduncle 15-20 cm long. The oval outer petals hide the short ovoid ones. A shapeless green spot is visible on the flower. There is no notch on the petals. Flowering occurs in May-June for 20 days. There is no fruiting, it reproduces vegetatively.
Also popular among people blue snowdrops. However, this plant does not belong to the genus Galanthus. Most often, this name refers to scillas from the Asparagus family. They are quite similar in external structure and early flowering, but have nothing to do with snowdrops.
Reproduction methods
The most convenient way to propagate snowdrops is to separate the young bulbs. Each year, 1-3 additional bulbs are formed on the mother plant. After 3-5 years, when the clump has grown sufficiently, it can be divided. In August-September, after the foliage has completely dried, snowdrops can be replanted. The bush is carefully separated by hand, trying not to damage the thin rhizome. The bulbs are planted to a depth of 6-8 cm individually or in small groups.
Seed propagation is considered more difficult, although it allows you to get many plants at once. It is necessary to allow the seeds to ripen completely. Sowing is done immediately after harvesting, as they quickly lose their germination capacity. Sow seeds in open ground to a depth of 1-2 cm. Seedlings bloom in 3-4 years. The place should be chosen shady and windless.
Features of care
Location. Miniature snowdrops grow easily and do not require careful care. However, they are very picky about the location and composition of the soil. They should be planted under trees. The place should be quite shady in summer, but well warmed by the sun in early spring. Ideal planting under deciduous trees tall trees, such as walnut, cherry, chestnut and others.
Temperature. The plant tolerates even very coldy and does not require additional shelter. In summer, excessive overheating can lead to the death of the bulbs. For this you will need shade from the trees.
The soil should be nutritious and moist, but without stagnation of water. Loose substrates with the addition of compost or humus are suitable. IN clay soil additional sand needs to be added.
Watering Snowdrops need it only in severe drought. Usually they get enough water from melted snow and spring rains.
Fertilizer. During the growing season and flowering, it is worth fertilizing monthly. Choose phosphate and potassium liquid complexes. Excess nitrogen causes foliage to grow greatly, which is subsequently often affected by fungal diseases.
Diseases and pests. With regular stagnation of water in the soil, snowdrops suffer from fungal diseases (rust, powdery mildew, chlorosis). To protect rare plants, you need to choose the right soil composition and location. Periodically, it is recommended to replant and treat the bulbs with a fungicide. Natural pests of galanthus are slugs, caterpillars, bulb nematodes, and mice. To prevent rodents and slugs, coarse sand and shell rock are scattered around the lawn, and sods with grass are placed around the perimeter. Treatment with an insecticide will save you from small insects.
Planting and caring for snowdrops
Usage
By planting snowdrops on your property, you can not only decorate the area, but also propagate an endangered plant. Galanthus are good in group plantings in a rock garden or in the middle of a lawn. If you distribute them evenly under the trees, you can get a continuous carpet, like in a forest.
In flower beds, snowdrops are placed in the foreground, along with other shade-tolerant plants. When the first flowers fade, attention will turn to the neighbors. These can be scillas, corydalis, primroses, lungworts, peonies, hostas and even ferns.
Bouquets of snowdrops look great in a vase without any decoration, but can be combined with deciduous or other flowering specimens. You shouldn’t pick a lot of flowers and collect them in the forest, because the snowdrop is included in the Red Book of Russia. It is better to admire their delicate beauty on the street.
Interestingly, the plant contains galantamine. This alkaloid was isolated in the middle of the 20th century. It is used in traditional medicine and is part of drugs to combat Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of the nervous system.
Snowdrops in landscape design