No winter garden in the Northern hemisphere is ever complete without the delicate little nodding blooms from the little snowdrop bulb (Galanthus nivalis). I am pleased to say that they have finally started to flower in my garden - though 10 days later than last year.
from my garden
Many purists wouldn't refer to Galanthus nivalis as being a native of Britain but it has been recorded here in the UK since the sixteenth century and it grows wild all over the countryside here in Perthshire.
Nature's Natural Ice Breaker
They are just perfect for coping with our harsh winters here as the tips of their leaves have been created in such a way that they are hard and can break through the frozen ground - natures natural ice breakers!
Natures Natural Antifreeze
Now you're probably wondering why I used antifreeze in the title of the post today well read on and you'll see what I'm talking about......
When you get winters like our last two in the UK with temperatures reaching -18C and lower sometimes the cells inside a plant crystallise especially if the plant is in a pot. Once the plant defrosts the cells rupture and the plant slowly starts to die. Well that doesn't happen to a snowdrop as it has natural antifreeze in its little leaves.
Not only that but the alkaloids found in the plants are potential applications for the treatment of malaria and Alzheimer's disease.
Ultra Violet Markings
The photo below shows the ultra violet green markings on the inner petals that guide the bee to its precious nectar.
A little snowdrop growing along the river
Down by the River
It certainly is adapted to growing in adverse conditions as the little bulbs along the banks of the river were covered by the flood waters a few weeks ago. Some of them are flowering though not as many as last year as so much silt has come down the river after the land slippage that they are buried underneath the fine sand.
Speaking of the slippage - thankfully the money has been found to start to repair the damage on both sides of the river bank and I was shocked at how extensive the whole recovery operation is. They seem to be altering the course of the river ever so slightly and slowing down the flow so that the area where the land slipped will be less prone to more erosion. Within the next month or so the path should be open again!
Away from the diggers further down stream the river looks far more inviting .............
(HDR photograph)
Along the Lade
While along the lade there are little pockets of snowdrops intermingling between cushions of soft green moss, twigs and decaying leaves.
along the lade just after a shower of rain
Nature's Natural Themometer
From the photo's in the collage above I can tell you that it was less than 10 degrees C on the day I took those photographs. It was a cool day and the snowdrop blooms were keeping their nectar safe wrapped in those little petals for a reason. Once the temperature reaches 10C the outer petals start to open wide and release their soft honey scent to attract bumblebees. The little snowdrop was created to do this as God knew that the bumblebees would never be able to fly in temperatures less than 10C so He enabled the snowdrop to have it's valuable winter nectar larder safe for when the little bees needed it most.
You can read a more extensive post on growing snowdrop bulbs on my Love is Galanthophilia post.
Today I'm submitting this post to Gail's Wildflower Wednesday meme over at Clay and Limestone.
Thank you for taking the time to visit today.
"Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse." Romans 1:20.
