Growing a Snowdrop Collection

... and the Galanthus Gala 2024 in Downingtown, PA

Galanthus ‘The Pearl’ in a display at Galanthus Gala 2024.

Deep sleeps the Winter,
Cold, wet, and grey;
Surely all the world is dead;
Spring is far away.
Wait! the world shall waken;
It is not dead, for lo,
The Fair Maids of February
Stand in the snow!

The Snowdrop Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

We have made it to March and the garden at Havenwood is filling with new flowers every day. I thought you all might enjoy seeing a few little snowdrops and other plants from my trip to the Galanthus Gala 2024 in Downingtown, PA this past weekend. It was a bit of a drive to the opposite corner of Pennsylvania from Grove City, but with so many plants to learn about the time went by quickly.

The Snowdrop Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

Galanthus

Galanthus, the genus name for the Snowdrop flower, comes from Greek:

Galanthus is derived from the Greek γάλα (gala), meaning "milk" and ἄνθος (anthos) meaning "flower", alluding to the colour of the flowers. The epithet nivalis (one species variety) is derived from the Latin, meaning "of the snow."¹

Galanthus nivalis in the woods near the Downingtown Meeting House, where the gala was held this year.

Starting a collection