The snowdrops and winter aconites are tied for first-bloom. Snowdrops usually appear millimeter-by-millimeter before winter aconites, but their flowers won’t open until temperatures reach 50degF. Winter aconites, on the other hand, are like jack rabbits. They can bloom in just 24 hours if conditions are ideal. You should definitely grow both!

Snowdrops are a popular flower, and even single bulbs of rare cultivars can fetch astronomical prices. Save your breath and money by investing in varieties that multiply rapidly, like those listed below. You’ll soon have enough to create a patch. A patch can be seen from the inside of your home. Just saying.

A gardening friend gave me my first snowdrops. She found them “in the wilderness,” probably where a home once stood. Later, I learned that they were common snowdrops, Galanthus Nivalis. They did well for me.

I separated the original snowdrop clump and planted each one along this path. (See above). The singletons multiplied until they became a 50-foot long river of snowdrops.

I moved some snowdrops to my Secret Garden from my old home. They were planted six years ago as single bulbs. Photo by Talitha Purdy.

The snowdrops I had were so beautiful, I didn’t even notice that there were others that bloomed sooner.

This is what made me plant ‘S. Arnott is a hybrid of the snowdrop, which blooms earlier and bigger than the common snowdrop. It is also fragrant and although it does not multiply as quickly as its common cousin it still bulks up pretty quickly. It’s a great product!

A friend then gave me a double form of the common Snowdrop, Galanthus Nivalis “Flore Pleno”, whose flowers are perhaps more visible at a distance, and certainly more entertaining up close.

For many years, I was satisfied with these three. Three years ago I received a gift certificate for Brent & Becky’s Bulb and ordered any snowdrops that they didn’t have.

The leaf that is tightly wrapped around the other will help you distinguish Galanthus Woronowii. They are tolerant of drier soils (and warmer temperatures?) They are more resistant to drier soil (and perhaps warmer temperatures?)

This is Galanthus Nivalis “Viridi”-apice. The Latin word Viridi-apice, which means green peak, is actually the tips of each petal. It is a very faint green tip, but the flowers multiply just as quickly as their non-green-tipped counterparts.

The ‘Magnet” snowdrop was chosen from a group of common snowdrops because of its long pedicel. (The part that connects the flower with the stem). The outer petals of this flower are nearly horizontal on a warm day. When I see this, I picture a magnet attached to a string as part of a fishing game for children.

The fair ‘Hippolyta is a double with outer petals that are wider, but perhaps not as long. Nivalis ‘Flore Pleno. Elegant rather than funny. It’s one of Greatorex’s doubles. A hybrid of G and ‘Flore Pleno.’ It is named after Shakespeare’s character plicatus.

I now always check the snowdrops that are available at my favorite bulb shops. I never spend more than I would on a single colchicum corm. This is my personal rule for avoiding galanthophilia. The following years, I added these snowdrops into my garden.

Galanthus laciniatus “Straffan” is one of oldest snowdrop selections that are still around. The owner of Straffan House Baron Clarina brought back snowdrops from the Crimean War. This snowdrop was selected from these original snowdrops.

“Primrose warburg” was a gift from a generous friend because she is still a member of the “breathtaking prices” clique. Her golden ovary, and her inner markings set her apart. It’s her first year, so I can’t tell how quickly she will multiply. However, if she is as prolific as my friend, then I expect she will grow rapidly.

Galanthus is characterized by pleated leaves. It is the first year it has been in my garden. It had the unfortunate misfortune to bloom just before a huge snowfall, then alternate snowfalls, and thaws. It would be nice to think it’s seen better days but all its days have been miserable this year. The leaf’s pleat is well captured in this picture.

You may not see the difference between the snowdrops, but I love to look at the small details, especially in a year like this one when Spring is moving slowly. You can learn more about the snowdrops by joining the American Gardens Snowdrops Facebook group.