New beginnings, Hope & Rebirth
By: Julie Barnes
Between late winter and early spring, common snowdrop, crocus, and glory of the snow, all reflect a shared symbolism; new beginnings, hope, and rebirth as some of the earliest flowers to bloom. These true spring harbingers are a welcome sight when the weather is still cold, even peeking through snow as it melts. Though short in stature they all bring joy to areas that are easily seen in late winter.
Common Snowdrop - Galanthus nivalis
"And thus the snowdrop, like the bow That spans the cloudy sky, Becomes a symbol whence we know That brighter days are nigh ; "
Galanthus in Greek means "gala" for milk and "anthos" for flower, describing its milk white flowers. Galanthus nivalis is the most common species regularly grown, belonging to the Amaryllidaceae plant family and related to another spring favorite, the daffodil. These reliably hardy, perennials grow to 4 inches tall and wide with nodding white flowers in mid-to late winter, long before most other plants. Although their bulbs are poisonous, the plant itself has a naturally occurring substance called galantamine that is used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Dutch Crocus - Crocus vernus
"First the howling winds awoke us then the rains came down to soak us. Now, before the mind can focus -Crocus." Lilja Rogers
Crocus is a genus of flowering plants in the Iridaceae (Iris) Family. Hardy Dutch Crocus, Crocus vernus, (Zones 3–8), which is larger than snow crocuses, is the most common group often sold in garden centers and catalogs. All crocuses grow from 2 to 4 inches tall and bloom in a variety of colors such as white, purple, yellow, or striped purple and white that truly stand out in a late-winter landscape. Many are strongly scented offering an early-spring food source to lure bees out of their hives in February or March. Most species grow in the high mountains of Greece, Turkey, the Caucus range, and the Alps in Northern Italy and Switzerland, typically in grassy meadows. In late winter, these areas are wet from snow that melts then dries out in summer. Crocus can be planted in similar conditions, such as, lawns to naturalize every year, or also, in borders, or rock gardens. When grown in a lawn, the foliage must be allowed to die before mowing the area.
Glory of the Snow -Chionodoxa
"I came upon a field of blue stars… and left their stash below." Patricia Rose Pflaumer"
Chionodoxa" is named after the Greek words "chion" meaning "snow" and "doxa" meaning "glory." Small beautiful blue star-shaped flowers having white centers will bloom even when there is snow on the ground and is also attractive to pollinators This bulbous perennial is native to the mountainsides in Southwestern Turkey and is a member of the Asparagaceae Family growing 3 to 5 inches. When planted in mass Glory of the Snow gives the appearance of a summer sky that has fallen to earth.