Galanthus nivalis

The Common Snowdrop. 

The snowdrop that started the whole obsession. Galanthus nivalis is the familiar European species, forming neat clumps of narrow grey-green leaves and producing wonderfully simple, nodding white flowers, each with three outer tepals and three smaller inner segments marked green at the tip. The flowers are delicately honey-scented, particularly on mild days. Despite its modest appearance, it is remarkably variable in the wild and has given rise to an extraordinary number of cultivated forms. 

Range: From the Pyrenees eastwards to Ukraine, including much of central and southeastern Europe. It is introduced and naturalised in Britain and Ireland, where it has become thoroughly at home in woodland and old gardens. 

In the garden: One of the easiest snowdrops to grow and an excellent naturaliser beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. Give it moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil that does not dry out in summer; once established, it is perfectly capable of looking after itself.

Height: 10–15cm
Spread: 10–15cm
Flowering: January–March
Hardiness: H5 (−15 to −10°C)
Aspect: Sun or partial shade
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained