Red Book: snowdrop flowers. Snow-white snowdrop flower - the first harbinger of Spring Artificially cultivated snowdrops

Galanthus (milk flower) - translated from Latin, means snowdrop. This species belongs to the Amaryllis family.

This plant is no more than 20 cm high, has a flat and oblong leaf shape of a dark green color. The buds, most often white, begin to bloom in mid-spring, probably in early April. The length of the inflorescence is no more than 4 cm. The flower is single, when closed, resembling a drop. A fleshy capsule with oblong seeds and a juicy appendage is the fruit. The plant blooms for about 30 days. During its flowering, it plays the role of one of the very first honey plants, giving nectar to bees, for which it received its name.

There are about 18 subspecies of this plant and more than 50 varieties in the world. The most common habitat is: Central Russia, Crimea, Central and Southern Europe, the Caucasus, the western part of Asia Minor.

Snowdrop prefers to grow near trees, bushes, and meadows. Grows well in moist and loose soil. Reproduction occurs through seeds and bulbs. In the scales of the mother bulb there are children, which next year grow like an independent flower.

According to its chemical composition, snowdrop is a poisonous plant. The stems and leaves contain an alkaloid - galantamine, and the bulbs - navredin. Primrose is dangerous to human health and causes a severe allergic reaction. Scientists are studying the use of poison to treat Alzheimer's disease.

This is a perennial plant. Bulb with a diameter of no more than 3 centimeters. Each of them produces only one pedicel, as well as 2-3 inner petals.

The snowdrop is listed in the Red Book and is under state protection. Because of its beauty and early flowering, the flower is plucked en masse for sale during the spring holidays, which leads to the extinction of this species. The sale of forest primroses is prohibited according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, and violators face fines and administrative penalties. Trade is allowed only for greenhouse-grown flowers, with certificates and accompanying documents.

Option 2

Snowdrop is the first spring flower of the Amaryllidaceae species, a perennial flower with a bulbous rhizome. The bulb is round and not large in size, up to 3 cm in diameter.

The first flowers to emerge from the snow in early spring are snowdrops. When the snow has not yet melted, when the birds have not yet arrived from warm regions, when spring is just beginning to approach, snowdrops are already giving their beauty to those around them.

There are 19 species of snowdrop and 2 hybrids, of which several flower species are on the verge of extinction.

The leaves are pushed out of the ground along with the flower. The leaves are oblong and dark green in color, as is the stem that holds the flower. The bell-like flower is white and may have green inclusions.
The snowdrop bush is usually not tall and can reach up to 10 cm.

Snowdrops bloom for a long time; if there is no rapid warming, then flowering can last up to a month, then the petals fall off the flower. After the loss of the petals, the seed capsule (the middle of the flower) begins to ripen.

The box is round and, like the stem with leaves, has a dark green tint. The box contains three compartments with seeds.

By the time the box begins to ripen, the sun has already warmed up and everything has begun to wake up. Beetles and various insects begin their movement towards the box with seeds, and thus begin to take the seeds along their paths in the ground, giving the seeds the strength to take root. Before autumn, the seeds will take root and begin to develop a bulb.

Interesting facts about snowdrops

The snowdrop has its own day; on April 19, many countries around the world celebrate “Snowdrop Day,” which was approved by the British back in 1984.
Snowdrop contains galantamine, which helps treat Alzheimer's disease, but scientists are still studying the effect.
Most flower species are listed in the Red Book, so it is better to start growing flowers rather than looking for flowers in the forest for a bouquet.
Some countries have associated superstitions with snowdrops, to the effect that snowdrops are the flowers of the dead.
But among the inhabitants of Foggy Albion, snowdrops are a reliable amulet against evil spirits and evil spirits.
Snowdrop is also called Milk flower.

Flowers are grown in greenhouses, gardeners plant plots in the gardens and they grow, bringing beauty with the first rays of the sun.

Snowdrops have been delighting with their beauty for a long time in different parts of the world.

Report 3

Snowdrop is the earliest flower. From the Greek galanthus, meaning milky flowers.

Snowdrop is a genus of perennial flowers in the amaryllis family. These are flowers from the order Bulbaceae.

Snowdrops grow in sunny areas, but they also do well in a shady place. They only dislike damp places with stagnant water.

The classic galanthus bud is pure white with small green-yellow splashes on the edge of the petals. The flower resembles the shape of a bell, the resulting structure and location of the petals: three petals in each row. Near the stem of the snowdrop there are 2 leaves 1 cm wide. The leaves are elongated, narrow and flat in shape, with a dark green or gray-green color. The bulb is round, approximately 3 cm in diameter. Each bulb produces 1 flower.

Currently, there are 18 known species of snowdrops - galanthus, and 2 hybrids created by nature. 3 types of them are well known and popular to everyone:

The snowdrop has more than 50 varieties. This species blooms first among other varieties, but its flowering period is the longest - about 1 month. The height of the snow-white snowdrop is from 7 to 12 cm. The flower buds are fragile, pure white with light yellow large splashes on the petals. Snow-white galanthus exude a delightful aroma.
Snowdrops are the most famous and popular for us. The flowering of the species begins in the second half of March. The snowdrop is 10 - 15 cm high. The buds differ from the rest in the cut of the petal. The bud size is medium, bell-shaped, pure white with a green mark on the front row of petals.
Snowdrop Elwes. Distribution areas: forests of Asia Minor. Flowering begins early in March. The flowers are large, from 15 to 25 cm in height. The buds are white, spherical, large.

At first glance, snowdrops are unpretentious for a gardener, but as it turns out, snowdrops are very demanding of the soil. For the bulb to bloom fully, it needs soil well fertilized with peat and humus. The flower should be replanted after the leaves die off, which occurs approximately in the month of July. During this period, the roots of the galanthus bulb had already died off, and a new root system had not yet appeared. The bulb is planted in soil 6-8 cm deep. As a rule, snowdrops bloom well in a well-chosen place for many years and do not need to be replanted. You can also plant snowdrops with seeds, but in this case the fruiting bulb will form only in the third year.

Because of people's love for these delicate flowers, the population is declining sharply every year. Poachers, in order to make money, pluck an unlimited number of snowdrops for sale. To protect this species, the snowdrop was listed in the Red Book.

Message about Snowdrops

There are many different colors in the world. They may differ in color, shape, size, and even function. There is a flower that is considered a harbinger of the coming of spring. Such plants are called snowdrops.

Snowdrops are nimble flowers.

Yes it is. They rush to bloom in early spring and produce seeds, while the foliage on the trees has not yet developed and the entire forest is penetrated by the sun's rays. To do this, they use bulbs and tubers hidden in the ground, which have been storing reserves of nutrients since the fall! Because snowdrops live so quickly, seeing them is a very rare find.

A brief description of.

Galanthus is the second name for these flowers. At first they belonged to the Liliaceae family, but now they belong to the Amaryllis family. In Russia there are 12 species. They can also be found in Central and Southern Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus, where they are most diverse (the presence of 16 species).

Galanthus are perennial plants with a bulb whose diameter ranges from 2 to 3 centimeters. The bulb consists of scales and renewal buds. The leaves appear along with the buds, 2 to 3 pieces each, usually linear. The color of the leaves varies from light green with admixtures of yellow to dark green. The base of the leaves is either wide or narrowed. The peduncle is cylindrical, equal in length to the bract, and shiny. The perianth is made up of 3 outer and 3 inner leaves. Snowdrops are pollinated by butterflies, beetles, flies and bees. The column is filamentous. The fruit is a fleshy capsule that opens along the sides. Seeds in the shape of a ball.

Application of snowdrops.

Mainly ornamental plants. Large quantities are planted on ridges or alpine hills. Another of these flowers is the alkaloid galantamine, which is used in medicine.

Curious facts about snowdrops.

Several species are in the Red Book.
People may confuse snowdrops with blueberries or anemones.
Translated from Latin, snowdrop is “milk flower”.
Naturalist Henry Elwes collected galanthus into one collection.
You will be fined for illegal collection and sale. An ordinary citizen will get off with 3 thousand rubles, but legal entities will have to pay 300 thousand rubles!

Option 5

This flower is known for the fact that, earlier than other representatives of the flora, it pleases humanity with its friendly, small, graceful bells.

General characteristics of snowdrop

The snowdrop belongs to the genus of the Amaryllis family. Its natural habitat is the climate of temperate latitudes: Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Europe. There are more than 20 types of galanthus (the second name for the milk flower).

Most of the snowdrop subspecies have no aroma, and only some species are distinguished by a subtle fragrant odor. They do not require special care and have excellent frost resistance. They prefer sunny areas, grow worse in shade, and do not like places where fluid stagnates. They can grow in one place for 4-5 years, then the flower should be replanted.

The leaves of galanthus emerge from the ground along with the buds, have a green or bluish-green color, and are up to 1 cm wide. The flowers of natural snowdrops are usually white in color (if the flowers are painted a different color, they are conditionally related to woodlands). There are green spots along the edges of the petals. 1 flower consists of 6 petals. From 1 bulb 1 plant is reproduced. Snowdrops vary in height and flower shape.

The only drawback of snowdrops is their early wilting. After the galanthus has faded, its leaves remain green for some time, but dry out as the weather warms up.

3 most popular types of galanthus

In total, there are 2 natural selection hybrids and 18 species of snowdrops in nature. Almost all of them are listed in the Red Book. The most popular of them are 3 groups:

Snow-white snowdrop. It blooms earlier than all representatives of its genus, flowering lasts almost a month. The height of this flower is from 7 to 12 cm, the flowers are white, have a small yellow spot inside, and smell pleasant. There are more than 50 varieties.
Galanthus snow is the most common type. Begins to bloom in mid-March. It reaches a height of up to 15 cm. The flowers are medium in size; nature has endowed them with a large cut.
Elwes snowdrops are the largest in size. The height of the flower can reach 25 cm, while the width of the leaves reaches 2 cm. The flowers are spherical, voluminous, and white in color.

Medicinal properties of snowdrop

Primroses are not used in traditional medicine recipes; there is a great danger of poisoning. The appearance of the snowdrop is very deceptive, and the friendly spring beauty is very toxic. Using galanthus without consulting a doctor can lead to nausea, dizziness, and decreased heart rate. But this plant has found application in the production of potent medicines for the treatment of a number of diseases, such as:

cerebral palsy and polio;
inflammatory disorders of the nervous system, polyneuritis, radiculitis;
traumatic damage to nerve endings.

Since 1984, many countries have celebrated a spring holiday - Snowdrop Day. It was established in Great Britain, and since, due to the climatic conditions of this country, it blooms in mid-spring, the celebration falls on April 19.

Writer Viktor Nekrasov. Life and art
Viktor Nekrasov is a Soviet writer, winner of many awards, and was a member of the Academy of Arts in Bavaria. The biography of Viktor Platonovich Nekrasov began on June 17, 1911

The Olympic Games are the largest and most prestigious professional sports competitions on an intercontinental scale. They originally appeared in Ancient Greece

The snowdrop is the first spring flower that rushes towards the sun after a long, cold winter. The Red Book has taken snowdrop under its protection for quite some time. We all get delighted at the sight of a small flower, which is considered the news of spring. Despite the fact that the plant is protected, this does not stop many people, and they mercilessly pick off the flowers. Some will simply put it in a vase, and some may even throw it away before reaching home. But hardly anyone thinks that they are causing great damage to the nature that surrounds us. Massive destruction of flowers leads to a decrease in their number in the wild. It is necessary to constantly inform the population (especially children) about caring for nature.

Trade is permitted only for flowers grown in gardens and household plots.

There is a beautiful legend that when Eve was expelled from paradise, white snow fell. She walked, shedding tears, from which the snow melted and snowdrops grew in place of the thawed patches. They symbolized the hope of forgiveness. Galanthus (“milk flower”, snowdrop) belongs to the genus of perennial herbs of the Amaryllis family. There are 18 species of this plant. The place of distribution is the Caucasus, the Crimean Peninsula, Southern and Central Europe. The largest variety of snowdrops grows in the Caucasus.

General description of snowdrops

Snowdrops are the earliest flowers. They have a round bulb about 3 cm with scales of the past years. Flowers have 2-3 oblong, linear, matte or shiny leaves. The growth of leaves and flowers occurs simultaneously. On the outside, the petals are white and up to 30 mm long; the inner surfaces are outlined with a greenish rim.

Galanthus has different shapes and colors in different species. A very unusual snowdrop is called Elvis. It is spherical in shape. Flowers of double varieties have a delicate, unforgettable aroma.

Characteristics of snowdrop white and flat-leaved

An excellent representative of the Amaryllis family is the white snowdrop. The description of the snowdrop makes us convinced of this.

The leaves of this flower are different from other species. Their color varies from light to dark green striped tones. The flower can be of different shapes and shades, depending on the place of growth. A plant growing in Europe has dark green leaves, while in the Caucasus it has 3 light green leaves.

snowdrops

The flower was named "snow white" by naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1735. In each European country it was given its own name: in Germany - “snow-white bell”, in Spain - “white snowflake”, in England - “snow earring”.

In the Red Book, the flat-leaved snowdrop has status category 3, as it is a rare species that is in danger of extinction.

This representative of the flora has a height of up to 20 cm. The bulbs are 5 cm long and up to 3 cm in diameter. The plant has deep green, flat-shaped, smooth and shiny leaves. Their width is about 3 cm. When the snowdrop blooms, the leaves grow up to 15 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width. At the end of flowering, they reach a length of 25 cm and a width of up to 3.5 cm. Place of growth - the Caucasus.

Growing white snowdrop

Because of their tenderness and beauty, snowdrops began to be grown in summer cottages and suburban areas. Planting is recommended when the plant has not begun to awaken after winter, or after complete flowering and death of the leaves. The favorable period lasts from mid-summer to early autumn.

Planting should be done with bulbs, which should not be overdried. Before planting, they can remain outside the ground for no more than one month.
Pre-purchased seedlings are stored in a cool, dark place to retain moisture.
The plant is planted to a depth of 6-7 cm.
Flowers planted from seeds will bloom no earlier than three years later.
For good growth and flowering, snowdrops need to change their planting location every 5 years.
The plant is recommended to be abundantly watered.

Dangerous and beneficial properties of snowdrop

Despite its attractiveness and tenderness, the plant has poisonous properties. Galanthus bulbs are poisonous, so animals avoid it, and not a single rodent will eat it.

Experiments on animals have revealed that alkaloids can cause irritation and hemorrhage in the mucous membrane of the digestive organs. In case of poisoning, the number of heart contractions decreases, dizziness begins, and increased saliva production occurs. For children, they can even pose a mortal danger!

However, this plant has found its use in the medical industry. Voronov's snowdrop bulbs, collected during flowering, have healing properties. The drugs are also poisonous and are used strictly as directed and prescribed by a doctor. With the help of these drugs, myopathy, myasthenia gravis, intestinal and bladder atony are successfully treated. But galanthus requires a careful and caring attitude.

Snowdrop Day occupies a special place in the series of April holidays. It is celebrated in many countries. The date of celebration – April 19 – is very symbolic.

My history it originates from England, where it was established in 1984. Around the world, depending on the climate zone, snowdrops bloom from January to April. And since in Great Britain they bloom in mid-April, this holiday was timed to coincide with this period - the beginning of spring and warm sunny days, and today it has become loved and popular in other countries.

Snowdrops are the only flowers that are not afraid of the cold and break out directly from under the snow cover. By their appearance they symbolize the onset of spring. These plants are very unpretentious and are found in many parts of the world.

We are accustomed to the most common type of this plant - with white bell-shaped flowers. Botanists call this species “snow-white snowdrop.” And besides it there is also Alpine, Bortkevich's snowdrop, Byzantine, Caucasian, Cilician, Corfu and many others. The shape, color, and smell of each type of snowdrop are unique. And each subspecies has its admirers.

The variety of forms of the snowdrop has given rise to its numerous names in different countries. Each nation has its own associations with this plant. Here are some examples: snow drop (UK), snow bell (Germany), snow drill (France and Italy), snowflake (Czech Republic), bully (Bulgaria).

In Russia, as you know, the first spring flower is called a snowdrop. It is not difficult to guess that this name symbolizes the ability of this plant to break through to the sun's rays from under the snow cover.

However, Russia is a very large country with different climatic zones, and the arrival of spring does not coincide in different regions. A very interesting fact follows from this. Everywhere, the snowdrop is the flower that is the first to emerge with the arrival of spring. But in different areas these are completely different plants: sleep grass, anemones, liverworts, lumbago, scillas, cyclamens, hellebores. However, for most residents, when they hear the word “snowdrop,” the traditional version of this plant comes to mind.

It is possible that the snowdrop is not only the first spring flower, it is generally the first. There is one beautiful legend about the snowdrop. After Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise, winter came. It lasted a long time, the frosts and cold, merciless snow spared absolutely no one. In the end, Eva could not stand it and burst into tears. She remembered with sadness the warm gardens of Eden. 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.

Snowdrop has become the hero of various works of art. Remember Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "Snowdrop" (1862), which tells the story of a brave little flower and the fickle love of a girl, or Samuel Marshak's fairy tale "The Twelve Months" (1942), where an evil stepmother sends her stepdaughter to collect snowdrops in the middle of winter.

Some signs are associated with snowdrops:

— In many cultures, the white color of the snow bell is a symbol of protection from evil spirits. And therefore it is customary to plant it at the entrance to the house, and in city apartments to grow it on windowsills as a talisman.

— Among British officers, it was considered a good omen to wear a drop of snow in the buttonhole of their uniform as a talisman that imparts strength and protects against wounds.

- If you see a snowdrop in the forest, then this foreshadows the speedy fulfillment of your brightest hopes and hidden desires. For young girls, such a find foreshadows a meeting with their betrothed and a quick wedding, and for young men - the emergence of good prospects in their personal lives and at work.

— Cut snowdrops brought into the house foreshadow the death of someone in the family. These flowers should not be brought to a place where someone is seriously ill. The appearance of a single flower in a home is considered a particularly bad omen.

To find this flower, you don’t need to go into the forest - most species are listed in the Red Book, and these flowers cannot be collected. But if you love these flowers and want them to delight you in the spring, plant them in flower beds or in your own gardens, or even on a windowsill, in a flower pot.

The wonderful white bells of a fragile flower appear in early spring, when there is still snow in the forest. That's why people call it snowdrop.

Cracked the ice

Little snowdrop

And the flower bloomed

White and tender.

An amazing flower grows and develops in winter, under a warm blanket of snow, and in early spring its fresh light green stem with buds appears from under the snow. Snowdrops are not afraid of the winter cold. At the top, a dense snowdrift does not allow either cold or wind to pass through; in the middle, the snowdrift is usually looser, and streams already run near the ground during the February thaw. Melt water accelerates plant growth, so snowdrops grow quickly.

In March, under the bright rays of the sun, the snowdrifts darken, become loose, settle, they let in a lot of sunlight and soon “the first flower breaks the ice.”

Now you know why this flower is called a snowdrop - it grows under the snow!

Snowdrops, like all early spring flowers - lungworts, corydalis, coltsfoot, love bright sunlight. That's why they bloom when there are no leaves on the trees to shade the forest.

In March there are seven weather conditions a day: sometimes it’s warm with the sun, sometimes it’s snowing! Frosts occur at night. Dark clouds sometimes cloud the sky, it rains with snow, and a piercing icy wind blows. But the snowdrop doesn’t care! It is not afraid of the cold, because the juice that fills it contains a lot of sugar, and such solutions do not freeze during mild frosts.

On stormy, cloudy days, snowdrop flowers close tightly and their heads droop. Snowdrops save a sweet drop of honey hidden in the depths of the flower for bumblebees.

Snowdrops in different places are called different flowers that are the first to emerge from under the snow. They come in different colors - sometimes blue, sometimes white, sometimes purple.

Silence slumbers lightly

In the dark thickets of the forest,

Spring has spilled there

Blue lakes.

The sullen boron perked up,

Alive and rejuvenated

And with spring bright thoughts

He looked at the snowdrop.

While admiring the snowdrop, remember what people say: “Spring looks into the heavens with the blue eyes of snowdrops.”

“In the Caucasus, the snowdrop galanthus grows, very similar to a light lantern swinging on a thin stem.

In a light winter forest, under a layer of fallen leaves you can see large greenish-white flowers. They call them anemones, adonis and snowdrops, and everything is wrong. The real name of the flower that first ushered in spring is hellebore.” (S. Krasikov).

The “snow maiden” flowers include noble coppice, dream grass, and white grass.

There are many legends about the snowdrop. Listen to a poem that conveys one of them.

Forest path

It was winter with friends -

Colds and Blizzards,

Blizzard and Blizzard.

And Spring is coming towards her,

And blush and clear,

In a colorful sundress,

With birds, flowers.

Winter envied Spring,

Her youth and beauty,

Blown by icy winds,

Swirled around in angry blizzards.

The flowers were afraid of the cold

And closed their petals.

Only snowdrop

Fragile and tender

With all my might

Opened the petals

A drop of white.

Small but bold!

Questions for consolidation

What does a snowdrop look like?

Why did the flower get this name?

When do snowdrops bloom?

Why do snowdrops bloom when there are no leaves on the trees yet?

What insects pollinate snowdrop flowers?

What flowers are popularly called snowdrops?

What did you remember (like) about the poem “The Brave Snowdrop”?

Snowdrop (Galanthus platphyllus) is a perennial bulbous crop., one of the varieties of snowdrop. The species belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, the variety is listed in the Red Book (we will consider why below).

The variety is also called broadleaf (G. Latifolius). This is a flower that is perfect for growing in gardens. It grows especially well in central Russia and in the northern regions.

Brief description of the plant

According to the description, flat-leaved snowdrop has a height of no more than 20 cm. The diameter of the bulb does not exceed 3 cm. The flat leaves have an oblong shape. The color of the leaves is dark green without a bluish bloom. They have a shiny smooth surface.

During the flowering period, the length of the leaves is about 15 cm, and at the end of flowering they grow up to 25 cm. Because of the appearance of the leaves (flat and wide), the plant got its name.

The peduncle is up to 20 cm long. The perianth leaves are distinguished by a delicate, white color. The inner leaves are up to 7 mm long, and the outer leaves are up to 2 cm. The flower itself has a diameter of about 4 cm.

This crop begins to bloom in April, and the short flowering period itself lasts about a month.

Where does it grow

Flat-leaved snowdrop became widespread in Georgia, as well as in North Ossetia. Where it grows: the species prefers to grow in alpine meadows, as well as in the gorges of mountain slopes.

When do they appear and when do they bloom?

You can see this snowdrop when the first snow melts and thawed patches appear. Flowering begins in mid-spring, around April. The flowers remain on the stems for a month.

When grown at home, the crop begins to bloom only in the 3rd year after planting or sowing the seeds. The plant can grow in one place for 5 or more years.

When and why was the species listed in the Red Book?

Reasons for including a flower in the Red Book:

small growing area;
quite a rare species in the wild;
collection for bouquets;
digging up bulbs for medicinal purposes;
use as an ornamental plant.

The culture was listed in the Red Book of the RSFSR in 1988. This variety is also listed in the Red Book of North Ossetia.

Medicinal properties of flat-leaved snowdrop

Snowdrop is a poisonous crop. It contains toxic substances such as alkaloids. Of particular importance is an alkaloid called galantamine.

This active substance is quickly absorbed into the blood, having a strong effect on the nervous system. In this regard, the plant is included in many medicines and is also actively used in folk medicine.

Snowdrops are used to treat the following diseases:

cerebral palsy and polio;
radiculitis, polyneuritis;
myopathy;
myasthenia gravis;
nerve ending injuries;
fungus;
skin diseases and boils;
cancerous tumors.

Important information: Before using the plant, you should consult a specialist to avoid unpleasant consequences - poisoning and burns.

Since the culture is poisonous, not everyone can use it for treatment. It is not recommended to use snowdrop:

pregnant and lactating women;
persons under 16 years of age;
suffering from epileptic syndrome;
those suffering from asthma;
with diseases of the cardiovascular system;
hypertensive patients.

Overdose symptoms:

nausea, vomiting;
dizziness;
rare heartbeat;
increased salivation.

In folk medicine it is actively used in the form of ointments, tinctures, and decoctions. For treatment All parts of the plant are used - bulbs, leaves, stems and flowers.

Landing rules

For planting snowdrops It is recommended to choose open sunny or slightly shaded areas. If you plant a plant in the shade, the snow will not melt as quickly as in the sun, as a result of which flowering will be delayed and not so decorative.

The soil for planting will need to be loose, enriched with nutrients, and also with good water permeability. Snowdrops do not tolerate stagnation of moisture in the soil. The soil must contain humus or compost.

Watering is only needed during the germination stage of seeds or bulbs., in the future, the crop should be watered sparingly, only as needed.

Fertilizers are applied only during the active growth stage. Snowdrops need elements such as phosphorus and potassium.

There is no need to apply fertilizer with a high nitrogen content, as this can provoke the development of fungus.

The flower does not need shelter for the winter, like other plant varieties.

Reproduction

Broadleaf snowdrop can be propagated in two ways:

Seeds.
Bulbs.

Seeds must be sown immediately after collection., because they quickly lose their viability. The seeds need to be deepened approximately 1 cm into light, nutritious soil.

Self-seeding gives excellent results, so there is no need to rush to collect seeds. Flowering will begin only in the third year after sowing the seeds.

The division of the bulb and its further planting is carried out at the end of summer or early autumn. At this time, the culture is at rest.

For planting, you need to use only bulbs and seeds purchased in the store., digging up bulbs in nature, as well as collecting seeds, is prohibited, since the flower is listed in the Red Book.

Other types and their differences

There are many varieties of this crop known, many of them are cultivated and grown in garden plots as ornamental ones.

Caucasian

Caucasian is the most common variety of the genus. Grows in the Caucasus. At the end of flowering, the leaves reach a length of about 30 cm. They have a dark green color with a bluish tint. The species is also called alpine.

The diameter of the white flower with a green spot is about 3 cm. The snowdrop begins to bloom in April. The flowering period is about 2 weeks.

It differs from the flat-leaved one in the bluish shade of the leaves, as well as in the flowering period; in the flat-leaved one it is longer. In Latin it is pronounced Galantus Alpinus.

broadleaf

Broad-leaved is the second name for a flat-leaved species. It differs from other species in having wide and flat leaves without a bluish tint.

Snow white (white)

Snow White is a widespread species in horticulture in temperate climates. This variety begins to bloom already in March, which makes it different from many others, including the flat-leaved species.

The height of the crop does not exceed 15 cm. The leaves are dark green with a bluish tint. The flowers are very delicate, white, have a diameter of about 3 cm. In Latin, the name of the snowdrop sounds like Galantus Nivalis.