Galanthus nivalis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- gah-LAN-thus niv-AL-is
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This perennial is commonly called snowdrop and is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. They are bulbous perennials with 2-3 strap-shaped, basal leaves. Each plant grows solitary flowers on a naked stem, 6-parted, white but with inner segments that have a terminal green mark. Its flowers are a sure sign that spring is on the way as they bloom from late February to late March, even if snow is present.
It is easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. More moisture is needed if grown in partial shade; it grows particularly well under deciduous trees. It prefers cooler climates and may be short-lived when grown south of Zone 7. It naturalizes easily through self-seeding and bulb offsets which can grow into large colonies. Plant 0-2 in. apart, 60-400 per sq. ft., 5 in. to base of the bulb.
There are no serious insect or disease problems; however, wear gloves when planting bulbs to avoid possible skin irritation.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Galanthus
- Species:
- nivalis
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Distribution:
- Native to a large area of Europe, from Spain in the west, eastwards to Ukraine. Naturalized in North Carolina and Virginia as well as several other states.
- Edibility:
- Bulbs are toxic if eaten
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Poisonous
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- A solitary, pendulous, bell-shaped white flower, held on a slender pedicel. 6-parted, white but with inner segments that have a terminal green mark.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Each bulb generally produces two to three linear, or very narrowly lanceolate, greyish-green leaves from its base.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Galanthus nivalis is often confused with:
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Ipheion uniflorum
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Leucojum aestivum
- Scilla mischtschenkoana
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
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Alstroemeria
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Allium neapolitanum
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Colocasia
