Snowdrops
Snowdrops are the earliest of all bulbs. They open their white, winged flowers before anyone dares whisper “spring.” For best results, plant in soil that is not too dry and beneath trees that lose their leaves.
Deer and Rodent Proof
- early
- mid
- late
Item # | 6020 |
Botanical Name | Galanthus elwesii |
Bulb Size | 7cm+ |
Catalog Page (2020) | 129 |
Flower Color | White |
Bloom Time | Very Early |
Height | 5-7 inches |
Sunlight | Part (3-4 hours sun per day) |
Soil | Evenly moist |
Resistant to Deer | ✓ |
Resistant to Rodents | ✓ |
Good for Naturalizing | ✓ |
Shade Tolerant | ✓ |
Depth of Planting Hole | 3 inches |
Spacing | 3 inches apart |
Density | 10-11 per sq. ft. |
Bulb Calculator
To find the number of bulbs you need, determine the square footage of the planting area and enter it in the box.
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Planting Instructions
Plant in partial shade (will tolerate full sun in northern regions) and loose, rich, evenly moist soil. Established bulbs may produce leaves in late fall or early winter but generally wait to flower until the first hint of warmth in early spring. If you want to relocate snowdrops or divide a clump, the best time to do it is just after bloom, while the leaves are still green.
Note: Snowdrops suffer from prolonged periods of dry storage; we urge you to get them into the ground as soon as you receive them.

Spring-flowering bulbs must be planted in the fall. They need cool soil to make roots before the onset of winter. Cool fall weather arrives at different times from north to south and from high elevations to low.
Please note that the temperature of the soil lags behind the air temperature. You can generally plant later than the windows provided in this map. As long as the ground is not frozen, you can still plant.
Cold Limit | 3a |
Southern Limit | 7b |
Western Limit | 9b |
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