Snowdrops
Galanthus nivalis
Native to Eurasia and widely naturalized since British Colonial times, Snowdrops are among the earliest blooming bulbs, producing bell-shaped, white flowers, often tipped with green.
Ellen Randolph wrote her grandfather in 1808 from Edgehill, a neighboring estate: "The third of April snow drops bloomed, you have none but I will give you mine if you want them, and have them set out in your garden when we go to Monticello." April 3 is very late for this white-blossoming bulb, often the first flower of the season, and it seems possible that Ellen's "snow drops" were instead what we now call "snowflake," Leucojum sp.
A native of Europe and Western Asia, the Snowdrop's lovely bell-shaped, white flowers are often tipped with green. Snowdrops prefers shade and cool, moist soil and grow up to eight inches.
(Adapted from Thomas Jefferson's Flower Garden at Monticello by Edwin M. Betts.)
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
