Snowdrops are highly valued by nature lovers, as these delicate plants are among the first heralds of spring. The small white flower bells bloom exactly when fresh green is still rare. You can now find this pretty plant in green areas as well as in gardens and released into the wild in sparse forests.
March is the month of the snowdrop
Plant profile:
- Botanical name: Galanthus nivalis (translated: flower from the snow)
- Order: Asparagus
- Family: Amaryllis family
- Genus: Snowdrop
- Growth: Herbaceous perennial plant that develops bulbs as a storage organ.
- Growth height: 10 to 30 centimeters
- Main flowering period: February to April
- Leaves: Light to medium green, tapering
- Flower: Single, double to very double
- Flower Shape: Bell-shaped
- Flower color: white
- Fruit: capsule fruit
particularities
As the snowdrop grows, it generates heat that melts the surrounding snow. As a result, the plant itself provides sufficient water supply.
origin
Wild, the snowdrop thrives in Southwest Asia and Europe. It can also be found in North America, but here it only grows in the wild.
location and care
Winter and early flowering snowdrops prefer a sheltered location in full sun. Varieties that only bloom in late spring can be planted in a semi-shady place.
substrate
The soil should be sufficiently moist, nutritious and not too acidic. Even in the summer months, the soil must not dry out completely.
maintenance
The snowdrop is completely undemanding. It grows well without horticultural care, becomes wild and forms large carpets of flowers over the years.
When the plants have faded, you can loosen the soil around the small bulbs a little and add sand to very heavy soils.
A cut is not necessary. Give the snowdrop a resting phase and leave the yellowing leaves on the plant until the foliage withers and withdraws by itself.
diseases and pests
Occasionally, snowdrops are attacked by gray mold. The spring bloomers then appear to be covered with a fine, gray veil. They die as a result. The wrong location is usually to blame for the fungal infestation.
Unfortunately, little can be done about him. Do not plant any more snowdrops in this spot, as the fungus will remain in the soil and would spread to newly planted plants.
The daffodil fly or snails rarely bother the early bloomers.
tips
The alkaloid galantamine contained in the onion is used in conventional medicine to treat dementia and memory disorders. However, it is strongly discouraged to eat all parts of the plant, as galantamine is toxic and can lead to severe poisoning!