Snowdrop is a fragile miniature plant from the Amaryllis family, which has long been considered the very first messenger of spring. Its other name is galanthus, which means “milk flower” and is associated with snow-white milk color of the petals. The main name is explained by the fact that the first snowdrops make their way even from under the snow cover.
The main types
In total, there are about 20 species of snowdrops, 12 of them grow in the territory of the countries of the former Union. Sometimes their varieties mistakenly mean flowers similar to snowdrops: bluebills, anemones and other spring herbaceous plants. Galanthus is common in most of Europe and Asia Minor, but a maximum of species grows in the Caucasus.
Snow white
It grows in the vast territory of Europe and the Ciscaucasia. Grows on open edges and surrounded by shrubs. Especially loved by gardeners and is most often used in landscape design. His flowers are single, very fragrant, white. Blooming snow-white snowdrop before other species delights the eyes, breaking through the snow and recalling the proximity of the coming spring.
It counts to fifty garden varieties. Terry forms are most popular, in particular, Lady Elphinstone with beautiful white petals, on the inside of which there are yellow marks. Gardeners also especially love Arnott - a variety with short and wide outer perianth petals.
Snowdrop Elveza
The species name of the flower is associated with the name of the famous botanist-collector. It was he who, at the end of the 19th century, discovered the first snowdrop of this kind in Turkey. The range of flower growth is very wide: from Asia Minor to the south of Ukraine and the expanses of Moldova.
This is a tall species with wide leaves of green-blue hues and large spherical flowers with a particularly fragrant aroma. The extreme petals are larger than those located closer to the center, marked by small green spots. Flowering begins in February.
In Europe, grow up to 15 hybrid varieties that differ in the shapes of leaves and petals. Usually Elveza is used to create alpine slides. When cut, they retain their original freshness and attractiveness for a long time.
Alpine
It is an endemic of Western Transcaucasia. The height of the plant, blooming with snow-white flowers, is 6–9 cm. Wide leaves are distinguished by the presence of plaque with a bluish color. It is most often grown in summer cottages.
Byzantine
It is a white flower with numerous long carved petals and narrow leaves. Distributed on the Asian coast of the Bosphorus. Especially loved by gardeners in Western Europe. Flowering in autumn, not in spring, differs from most relatives.
Caucasian
Forest species found in the forests of Central Transcaucasia and Northern Iran. The height of the plant is about 10 cm, the flowers have a particularly fragrant aroma. On the inside of the petals, closer to their ends, there are green spots. It blooms in April and delights the eyes with flowers for 2 weeks.
Bortkevich
This flower is an endemic of the Western Caucasus, which received its name in honor of the famous dendrologist who gave him a description. Its leaves are dark green with a subtle bluish plaque on their surface. Flowers, like most species, are white, but there are green blotches.
Voronova
A small flower, named after the famous connoisseur of the Caucasian flora. It belongs to the number of medicinal species, but it should be borne in mind that this plant is poisonous and is not used in traditional medicine. Used only when creating drugs. This snowdrop, an endemic of the Caucasus, grows in the wild on the entire eastern Black Sea coast, including Turkey.
Cilician
It belongs to the number of mountain plants. It grows in the foothills and mountains in the territory of Asia Minor, as well as near Batumi. Its flowers are white, with green spots on the inner side closer to the perianth.
Folded
In the wild, it grows in the foothills of the Romanian Carpathians, in the territory of Moldova and Crimea. It is most often found in the Crimean Mountains, therefore it is often referred to as Crimean. Among all species is considered the largest.
Blossoms in March, for 2-3 weeks. During flowering, a bluish coating appears on the leaves, and after it fades, they acquire a bright green glossy color. There are up to a dozen garden forms, among which there are varieties with terry petals.
Broadleaf
It is found in nature in the vast expanses of the Caucasus. This species is ideal for cultivation in northern latitudes. The flowers are white, with a characteristic green spot on the inside, the leaves are glossy dark green. Blooms all April.
Ikaria snowdrop
It grows exclusively in Greece, which is why the species name is associated. It can grow even on the most unsuitable soil (rocky or sandy). The leaves are dull green in color, and the flowers are white with a green speck.
Blue snowdrop
The scilla (the name of the flower is different) is not really a snowdrop. It also belongs to the number of bulbous plants, but the Asparagus family, and in nature there are up to 80 of its species. It resembles snowdrops in appearance: it is a delicate and fragile flower that is one of the first to break out from under the snow.
Blue color is the main difference, which makes spells particularly attractive plants for decorating spring gardens. This flower is not a rare species and is not listed in the Red Book, as many mistakenly believe, which also differs from galanthus.
Snowdrop in legends and art
According to one legend, when Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise, winter reigned on earth. Several snowflakes turned into miniature snow-white flowers to console them and show that spring would come soon. Since then, it is generally accepted that snowdrops symbolize hope.
The French and Germans call this spring flower "snow bell" for the corresponding form of inflorescences, and the English call it "snow drop". True fanatics-collectors of varieties of this plant are called galantophylls.
Many poems have been written about snowdrops, many artists were inspired by the beauty of these spring flowers, depicting them in paintings. For example, they can be seen in the paintings of the English impressionist Stephen Darbishir, in the paintings of the Bosnian artist Dusan Vukovic, as well as in a number of works by contemporary masters. The songs are composed in which the role of this flower as the first messenger of the spring awakening is noted. For example, a well-known line from the song “In the spring the snowdrop blooms”, performed by Ivan Kuchin.
It is curious that the flower has its own holiday. In mid-April, the 19th day is celebrated Snowdrop Day, dedicated to the preservation of a beautiful spring plant. It was invented by the British, who with special awe relate to this flower. In their culture, he takes a place similar to a tulip in Holland.
And on our site most-beauty.ru you can see a bright and colorful article about the most beautiful tulips in the world.
Snowdrops in the gardens
Spring compositions of delicate flowers look beautiful in small vases. But it is worth considering that a snowdrop is a plant listed in the Red Book. A sale can result in a considerable fine if the flowers are not grown in a greenhouse and there is no certificate for this. Harvesting them in the forests is strictly prohibited. Therefore, it is better to admire the beauty in the photograph, and purchase snowdrop bulbs exclusively in special stores.
Along with copses, these flowers are widely used by gardeners in spring landscaping. They serve as decoration of alpine hills and are planted by separate snow-white lawns in the middle of lawns or "rugs" in partial shade of shrubs. It is advisable to plant flowers in small groups (10-30 pieces each), picking them for the company of primrose, bluebill and medunica. They are also planted near ferns, peonies and hosts.
By the way, we have an interesting article about the most beautiful flowers for the garden!
Snowdrop - a delicate and hardy flower, breaking out from under the snow, to announce the imminent arrival of spring. Admiring it only in pictures or planting it at home is up to you. But one thing is certain: this fragile flower is worthy of attention!
Posted by skywriter13