The History of Snowdrops

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) bloom in late winter or early spring. They are so named because they often peek out from underneath a layer of snow. These flowers are native to the Middle East and Europe, but have naturalized widely throughout much of the northern United States; they are also common in the UK. They are members of the Amaryllis family and while the common variety of these plants is Galanthus nivalis, there are about 20 different species in the Galanthus genus overall. Snowdrops are often seen as a symbol of hope and comfort. Today, many communities even have snowdrop festivals and there are particularly popular events held in Scotland and Pennsylvania each year.