Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Snowdrops ... have you seen any yet?


Snowdrops are small, pretty plants with white flowers that hang down. People love this little flower for how strong it is. Not many can push through the snow and thrive. So the snowdrop is extra impressive.

Where to find it?

Interestingly, the snowdrop is native to plenty of places in Europe. 
 But not the UK. Even though you can always catch them in the wild here. They are also a flower that is sadly endangered and collecting them in the wild is illegal in many countries, including the UK. So, if you see some snowdrops on your next winter walk, stop and admire them but don’t take them home.

Although native to the cooler mountainous, wooded, and grassland regions of southern Europe and Asia Minor, snowdrops have since been naturalised in the United States.
.
History

Snowdrops have been around for a while. People have liked them because they bring hope that spring is coming. They have also been associated with folklore and used in herbal remedies over the centuries, and today, they still make us feel happy when we see them in late winter.

Interesting facts

Snowdrops are one of the earliest flowering plants of the year, often blooming in late winter or early spring, even when there is still snow on the ground.

People in the past thought snowdrops might have healing powers, so they used them as medicine. But here's the important thing: snowdrops are actually toxic, so you shouldn't eat them. In old stories, people sometimes use them on the outside of the body for different remedies, but you still need to be careful because they can be harmful.

Meaning and Symbolism of Snowdrop

The snowdrop flower is often associated with hope, rebirth, and the promise of a fresh start. Its ability to bloom through the snow symbolises resilience and the arrival of better days, making it a meaningful and optimistic flower in various cultures.
Words above taken from here

Have you seen any yet?
I have been looking but have not yet seen any, although there are various places within the UK where they can be seen, as this list seen here shows

Did you know

That the snowdrop is one of the January birth flowers see here
The carnation is also a January birth flower see here



~ wishing you a happy day ~

Dear reader, within this blog you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

41 comments:

  1. This is a lovely article Jan. I look forward to the snowdrops blooming and hope it won't be too long. All the best :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. OH how pretty Jan. It was -23 degrees C this morning so it will be awhile until anything grows for me. That means I really enjoyed seeing the photo.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Siempre me ha gustado esa flor. Te mando un beso.

    ReplyDelete
  4. They are so pretty and full of hope! None here, just snow and more snow!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love them,have never seen a real one though.

    ReplyDelete
  6. No snow drops in my area, so far.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Snowdrops- love them. We won't see them until late March-maybe April here. Diana

    ReplyDelete
  8. ...snow has been dropping out of the sky, but no snowdrops!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Haven't seen them yet, but should appear everywhere soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It will be months before we see them here. We have some in our garden and I always welcome them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Questi piccoli fiori sono bellissimi.
    Mi dispiace solo di non averne paia potuto ammirare uno di persona... Almeno fino ad oggi

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for the interesting article and I wish you happy days in January!
    Hugs Elke

    ReplyDelete
  13. They are a lovely bulb of which I've never grown.

    ReplyDelete
  14. My parent´s garden was always full of snowdrops. Was... And here I haven´t seen any, either, since years not.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Always informative and interesting to read about plants that I haven't learnt much about

    ReplyDelete
  16. Snowdrop is such a pretty name. I was astonished to discover there are twenty species!

    ReplyDelete
  17. No, snow drops here. But, we do have snow on the ground.
    Take care, enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've never seen them here in Central Texas...They are SO pretty!
    hugs
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  19. I haven't seen any yet, although I was mentioning to a friend in the US that we should be seeing them very soon. I have bittersweet feelings about them. They are lovely, but as you say, a sign of spring and the thought of that is very depressing. Anyway, happy snowdrop hunting! And take good care if the storm is headed your way.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have never seen a snowdrop here. I really need to order some bulbs (?) this year to plant so I can have them next year. On the other hand, snow is dropping here daily!

    ReplyDelete
  21. A pretty flower. We don't have any in Phila or Florida. I enjoyed the post. thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  22. We have one in the garden! It hung in through all the snow and ice, and it's still doing well. Have a lovely day xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. The pictures of the snow drops are beautiful and most welcome. I've seen plenty of snow of late, but no snow drops. xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very interesting information. I have to wait until March to admire the beautiful snowdrops.
    Hugs and greetings:)

    ReplyDelete
  25. No, I have not seen ay of these lovely blooms yet and with frigid temps and snow and ice on the ground in NH, it may be a while, Jan. These reminded me of lily of the valley, although I know they are different plants.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Can’t believe such elegant blooms are toxic 😧
    Thanks for lovely post dear Jan❤️

    ReplyDelete
  27. REPLY TO
    Jeanie who in part of her comment said "I really need to order some bulbs (?)"'

    Hello Jeanie, yes you can order bulbs online or many garden centres/stores sell them. Have a look when you get a few quiet moments ...

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  28. GOOGLE TRANSLATE

    J.P. Alexander
    Siempre me ha gustado esa flor. Te mando un beso

    I've always liked that flower. I send you a kiss

    Stefania
    Questi piccoli fiori sono bellissimi.
    Mi dispiace solo di non averne paia potuto ammirare uno di persona... Almeno fino ad oggi

    These little flowers are beautiful.
    I'm only sorry that I didn't seem to have been able to admire one in person... At least until today

    ReplyDelete
  29. No snowdrops here yet. We have 2 feet of snow on the ground!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Not seen any yet, but they are gorgeous :-D

    ReplyDelete
  31. No Snow drops here..Too darn cold and too much snow..Soon though!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just a few to be seen here at the moment. I hope we'll be treated to some fabulous displays very soon. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  33. Son unas flores preciosas. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have never seen them in the wild, that would be neat to just happen upon them, it is way too cold for any of that here but we are supposed to warm up so maybe soon.

    ReplyDelete
  35. These are beautiful flowers, and a welcome sign every year. Daffodils are also tough when it comes to snow. I've had years where they start growing, then get covered by snow. The same with Crocuses. All signs of the promise that Spring is not too far away.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I used to have some in my garden but they died off after a couple of years. I saw lots at Wallington Hall last year. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington/events/07fb7a52-f4d4-4bc8-bac0-15a974e7d1e9

    ReplyDelete
  37. Yes, I've seen snowdrops in some of Edinburgh's cemeteries already this year, though mostly not quite in full bloom.

    ReplyDelete
  38. We won't see that for many, many weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  39. There is such hope of better things to come in the tiny Snowdrop. They are also tough little flowers to bloom in Winter.

    ReplyDelete

The lowcarb team value your comments. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to our blog. Please note! negative comments and insults from anonymous idiots, with nothing to add to the debate will not be authorised. However, we welcome constructive criticism.

The best of health to you and yours.

Eddie