The most beautiful snowdrops in the world: views, photos. What does a snowdrop look like? What color are snowdrops in nature

Hello dear friends! Spring! Spring is outside! Spring days! Nature is waking up from its winter sleep. The snow is slowly melting and March is already in a hurry to please us with the first beauty. Right from under the snow, the first spring flowers appear - snowdrops.

Of course, all of us, even small children, know that they exist. Many have seen them. But what do we know about them? I don't think so much. And so I propose today to learn as much as possible about snowdrops, so that you can tell your classmates later.

Lesson plan:

What kind of flowers?

So, snowdrops appear on the edges in forests and meadows, along river banks in March-April. They peek right out from under the snow. For which they got their beautiful name.

Strong stem pair of shiny green leaves and White flower with a green border, similar to a hanging bell, are pleasing to the eye. They grow in large groups, not one flower at a time.

You can grow these delicate flowers in your garden or garden. The main thing is to provide them with suitable conditions. They love moist, nutritious soil that warms up in the sun.

In nature, there are about 18 types of snowdrops, for example:

snow-white;
Caucasian;
Alpine;
snowdrop Voronov and others.

They are common in Central and Southern Europe, in the Crimea, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. There are especially many snowdrops in the Caucasus, where you can meet representatives of 16 species of this plant.

The harbingers of spring bloom for 3-4 weeks, then the flower petals fall off, and in their place a rounded box with three compartments appears, in which black seeds are stored.

Beauty under threat

All types of snowdrops are protected by the Red Book of Russia. Therefore, they cannot be plucked and sold. But they tear it down and sell it. And if they sell, then they buy.

And we can help snowdrops survive. To do this, you just need to stop buying bouquets from merchants. After all, if there is no one to sell flowers to, then there is no need to pick them.

But flowers are threatened not only by pickers and sellers of bouquets. Others adverse factors are:

deforestation, which reduces the area of \u200b\u200bflower growth;
trampling and destruction of the forest floor in which the bulbs hide;
environmental problems (pollution of soil, water, air).

To date, the Red Book has assigned the third category to snowdrops.

This means that until they disappear. But they are found in limited areas and in small numbers. And if you do not take action, then soon we will no longer be able to admire these magnificent creatures.

Snowdrops in creativity

Snowdrops with their unusual fragile beauty inspired many people to create.

Poems

Here are some poems.

There are also funny, comic versions)

To some, these white flowers resemble the tears of the Snow Maiden.

And someone rich.

Paintings

In the painting by Pavel Eskov, white snowdrops bloomed among white birches, very beautiful)

There is still snow all around, but white flowers are already rejoicing on the thawed patch of spring, nodding merrily to the sun with their bells. The author of this picture is the artist Yuri Vladimirovich Sizonenko.

Nikolskaya Ekaterina Alexandrovna saw the first spring flowers like this. Very unusual)

Puzzles

Try to ask your friends these interesting riddles)

Fairy tales

There are a lot of fairy tales about "snow drops". I'm sure you know one of them! This tale is called "Twelve Months". I suggest you watch it right now.

Snowdrops have something to surprise you with:

In general, there are many beautiful and interesting things in nature. I advise you to read an article about a hummingbird bird, and also about a seahorse.

That's all for today!

I wish you amazing spring discoveries!

Yours, Evgenia Klimkovich.

SNOWDROP(Galánthus), from the Greek words gala - milk and anthos - a flower, that is, a flower of milky white color. The snowdrop got its Russian name because it appears literally from under the snow, and there are many Ukrainian variants. Prolisok, pіdsnіzhka, white ryast, speed growth, yarnik, i.е. - sunny spring. In the Carpathian region, a snowdrop is called Moguryanin, i.e. mighty, strong: after all, there are still frosts, and he is so gentle, thin, growing right from under the snow.

Snowdrop flowers are a symbol of spring, a symbol of hope for a happy future. The same is said in the Christian legend. When Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise, it began to snow and Eve froze. Then a few snowflakes, wishing to console her, turned into flowers. Seeing them, Eva cheered up, she had hope for better times.

There are many legends about the origin of the snowdrop among the people.

A long time ago there lived a brother and a sister, they were orphans. The brother worked as a laborer, hunted, and the sister busied herself with the housework, from their parents they left a house on the edge of the forest. And then one day, when my brother was not at home, my sister decided to collect cleaner snow to wash the floors. It was the very beginning of spring and there was still a lot of snow in the forest. She took buckets and went into the forest. But it still seemed to her that behind the next tree it would be even cleaner. So, from tree to tree, she climbed deep into the forest. Here the old goblin saw her, that he rode around his possessions on a lame wolf. He grabbed her, threw her over the wolf's back and took her to his lair - they say, she will be his mistress. The girl was not at a loss - she pulled a string of beads from river pearls left over from her mother, and began to mark her path with beads. But they fell without a trace into the snow. She realized that her brother could not find her, and wept bitterly. The sun took pity on the grief of the orphan, melted the snow, and in the place where the beads fell, the first spring flowers grew - white snowdrops. Through them, the brother found his way to the goblin's lair. As the goblin saw him, he squealed and took to his heels. And the brother and sister returned to their house and began to live more friendly than before.

But here's what's interesting. A lot of people confuse snowdrops and blueberries, calling them blue snowdrops, although we are talking about completely different flowers from a botanical point of view.

The so-called "blue snowdrop" is a scilla (Scilla) and it belongs to another family - lilies, like a snowdrop - a symbol of hope, happiness, youth and beauty. The people believe that if you find a blueprint for the Annunciation or Easter, you need to put it under the icons for good luck.

In turn, the scilla is often called “sleep-grass” and this is also a mistake, because sleep-grass is a popular name for various herbs, but it also has a botanical name - Backache, (Pulsatílla), which belongs to the ranunculus family. This is an example of how often different plants are given the same names by the people (see about this in the articles: “mint”, “rue”), which, of course, must be taken into account.

So, Ukrainian legends often talk about forests.

That was a long time ago. She escaped from Turkish captivity, poisoning the guards with a decoction of hemlock, the Ukrainian girl Katrya. She hid, she was afraid: she knew that if they caught her, a terrible reprisal awaited her.

The sultan soon returned from the campaign and, having learned about everything, became furious, ordered the fugitive to be returned alive or dead. The chase lasted for many days, and yet the Janissaries overtook the girl, she had nowhere to go. Katrya hugged a bush of last year’s dry grass and prayed: “Mother my land! Don’t let me die! Don’t let the infidels return me to captivity again. Better part, land, and take me to you forever! "Mother Earth heard that prayer. Suddenly, the bare bushes were covered with green leaves and blue flowers, like Katri's eyes, grew, reminding posterity of the brave Ukrainian girl, of her inextinguishable desire for freedom. And they called them blue-eyed snowdrops.

Another legend about woodlands.

In hoary old times, there lived in one village a gentleman, rich and unkind. And there lived a girl - a beauty with wonderful long braids and beautiful blue eyes. Time passed, she grew up and became even more beautiful. I fell in love with a good guy who worked as a shepherd for a master. The day of the wedding has come. Music, fun. And then the barin was driving by. He looked at the girl and was dumbfounded by such beauty. Immediately, on his orders, the guy was seized, put in chains and thrown into prison, and the girl was taken to the master's chambers.

He wanted to make her his mistress, but she did not submit: her blue eyes looked at the master with contempt and disgust. He could not cope with the girl, withstand her gaze. He ordered her to be taken to the forest, and then an obliging lackey offered to gouge out her eyes for her disobedience. So did the monsters and wanted to trample them. But then the earth stood up for these blue eyes, hid them. In his anger, the master pulled out a pistol and shot into the girl's heart. And a miracle happened. The manor's estate caught fire from the shot, the chained young guy was freed, and the master with the footman turned into a stump with a viper. People ran into the forest, they didn’t find the girls, only beautiful blue flowers, like girl’s eyes, bloomed in the middle of the meadow.

Some sources say that snowdrops were woven into the Ukrainian wreath, but I could not find more specific instructions - the type or type of wreath. It is logical to assume that the girls were happy to weave wreaths from the first spring herbs and flowers, especially if at that time there was a matchmaking, wedding, or some other joyful event.

But what a snowdrop has healing properties, has long been known. It is also used in classical medicine. Preparations from some varieties of snowdrop are used in the treatment of the consequences of poliomyelitis and childhood cerebral palsy. The post-war outbreak of poliomyelitis, which swept through many countries, when there were no effective drugs, made these drugs very popular. In sick children, motor functions were fully or partially restored. Here is such a fragile little flower, but what strength it has!

tagPlaceholder Tags: flowers

The charming snow-white snowdrop is the first to please the eye with its truly winter severity and touching tenderness. Spring has not yet become a full-fledged mistress of its possessions and a white fluffy blanket covers the ground, and a small fragile flower is already fighting for a warm ray of sun. The legendary "Tears of Eve" remind us of Paradise Lost and fill our hearts with a vague sense of pristine beauty.

Growth area

Snowdrop, whose Latin name is "galanthus", which means "milky flower", belongs to the Amaryllis family, which includes eighteen species and two natural hybrids. Being a perennial grass with a bulbous root, the snowdrop appears in early spring and lives no more than four weeks. The height of the stem reaches thirty centimeters, different subspecies differ in the shape and size of the corolla.

Snowdrops grow in the forests of Central and Southern Europe, as well as in Turkey and the shores of the Caspian and Black Seas. Flowers prefer areas exposed to sunlight, although they can grow in shade. However, they do not tolerate places near swamps or springs with stagnant water. They are not demanding on the composition of the soil, they withstand sub-zero temperatures with firmness. With a lack of moisture, flowering slows down, so in an artificial environment, Galanthus needs additional watering.

The plant has an elegant white corolla with three long outer petals and three short inner ones. At the very edge of the petals there are barely noticeable green spots. On a low flexible stem there are several narrow dark green or grayish leaves. Only one flower grows from one bulb of small diameter.

Popular varieties

Of the twelve types of snowdrop growing in the post-Soviet space, the most common are:

Snowdrop Elvis. A species with rather large rounded flowers that grows in Asia Minor. The height of the stem can reach twenty centimeters. The leaves have a pleasant bluish tint.
Snowdrop snow. The flowering period is the second half of March, it grows in wooded areas throughout Europe. It has a small corolla with a cut compared to other types. The height of the stem is from ten to fifteen centimeters, the leaves are pale green with a grayish tint.
Snowdrop white. The most common species, with more than fifty subspecies and the longest flowering period. FROM inside scented whisk decorated yellow spots. The length of the stem is on average ten centimeters, the gray, keel-shaped leaves from below are covered with a wax coating.

Under the "red" protection

Being the first spring flower, the forest snowdrop annually suffers from excessive manifestations of human love. Longing for the green charms of nature, people mercilessly pluck every single one of the specimens that come across, often not even leaving the bulbs. The "cleansing" of flowering islands reaches a special scale during the spring holidays.
Such a negligent attitude towards the plant world led to the fact that Galanthus quickly added to the list of endangered species. Now the flower is listed in the Red Book and is under state protection. Environmental legislation provides for liability for unauthorized actions that lead to the death of the snowdrop population.

The Red Book contains detailed description rare species of Galanthus with an indication of the external structure and features of vegetative reproduction.

According to the provisions of the permanent Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, by the joint efforts of almost all countries of the world, active work is being carried out to restore the plant population and develop effective measures for its protection.

In the Red Book you can also find a description of the species and subspecies of the snowdrop, protected in a certain area. This may be a list of endangered plants of both a region and a particular country. The authorities may adopt resolutions of local and national importance. At the same time, it is possible to organize complex measures to save the population and expand the range of the plant.

Planting and reproduction

After flowering, the bulbs of Galanthus are underground at rest until autumn. And only by the second half of September they wake up in order to grow roots and bloom again in the spring. Visible growth and blooming of flowers lasts until the first foliage appears on the trees.
Snowdrop takes root well in loose soil with plenty of moisture. When landing in clay soil add a small amount of sand and organic fertilizers. As soon as the galanthus begins to germinate, inorganic top dressings can be applied. It is not recommended to cut the leaves before they are completely dry.

The snowdrop comes to life the very first after a long winter cold. First, green leaves appear on it, and then a white bud, similar to a bell with a drooping head. This flower is not afraid of snow or frost. The appearance of snowdrops in the garden portends the imminent onset of spring. You will find photos of snowdrop flowers in our gallery.

flower description

In the scientific literature, the plant is called galanthus. Snowdrop is a perennial herb and belongs to the Amaryllis family. It is distributed in:

Crimea;
Southern Europe;
Asia Minor;
Caucasus.

No one can accurately name the existing number of snowdrop varieties. This plant of a low herbaceous culture has two linear leaves, which reach 20 cm in length. These leaves come out immediately with peduncles. A single bell is surrounded by a white perianth, which consists of 6 leaves. The three petals are outer and elliptical in shape. The three inner leaves are wedge-shaped and have a green speck at the top. The flower has a pleasant smell, but very mild.

The plant has round fruits in the form of a box with 3 compartments, in which there is a small amount of black seeds. The seeds have a juicy appendage that attracts ants. The ants take them apart and thus propagate the flower.

The snowdrop bulb has conical or ovoid, which has a compact group of modified leaves emerging from one common base. Snowdrop flower photo:

Landing

The most suitable time for planting a snowdrop is from July to September. If the autumn is warm for a long time, then the landing can be extended until November. Currently, the snowdrop began to be sold already in bloom, which is not correct. After the flower is planted in the ground, all the leaves will wither and fall off, and then completely die off. Such an onion becomes very weak. On the next year the plant may bloom poorly or will not bloom at all and will die.

The bulb of the plant does not like drying. Therefore, you should not keep them for more than a month in the air. If it is not possible to plant a bulb, you can sprinkle it with shavings and sawdust and place it in a bag. When planting, the snowdrop bulb is placed in the ground to a depth equal to two bulbs, if the soil is loose. And to a depth equal to one bulb, if the soil is heavy. In both cases, the bulb cannot be deepened by more than 5 centimeters. A photo:

The flower has the peculiarity to determine the depth to which it will be distributed root system. If the bulb is planted deep, then it will form another bulb on the peduncle, which will grow already at the desired depth.

cultivation

The plant loves dark but sun-warmed places and good drainage. For wild species, when planting, it is necessary to choose the most illuminated place. This type of snowdrop is winter-hardy. Autumn flower can cover with loose compost.

Fertilize this plant must be extremely careful. The flower does not like fresh manure. It is best to fertilize the flower with mineral fertilizers.

Kinds

As mentioned earlier, the amaryllis family includes 18 types of snowdrop. The most famous are:

Some varieties of snowdrops have been included in the Red Book, as the collection of flowers is uncontrolled. In the wild, meeting a snowdrop becomes more and more difficult every year.

In nature there is a copse flower, which also appears at the first thaw, it is very similar to a snowdrop, only blue. It is also called blue or blue snowdrop, but in fact they are completely different plants.

Care

This flower is grown both in open ground and at home in a pot. Of all the bulbs, the plant blooms the very first and already gives buds in the middle of winter. To do this, the flower must be taken out of the room.

In a warm room, the plant may die. Because the flower is cold-loving, hardy and able to withstand temperatures up to ten degrees of cold. During the flowering period, the plant must be moved to a cool place.

After planting the bulb within 2 months, a plant is needed keep in a dark place. And then move it to natural light, but at the same time avoid direct sunlight.

The optimum temperature in the dark for a plant is zero degrees, and during flowering, the maximum temperature is 10 degrees above zero, otherwise the plant may die. When planting the bulb, the soil should be well moistened, and then no longer watered until the pot is transferred to the light. Further, it will be necessary to water the flower twice a week.

snowdrop flower

Snowdrop or Galanthus belongs to the Amaryllis family. Although this rare plant is listed in the Red Book, it is not so difficult to grow it on your own site. Very quickly, the flower spreads over a large area. The quivering inhabitants of the forest will delight you with the beauty of awakening nature and delicate aroma. They suddenly appear in small groups in thawed patches. First, juicy green shoots contrast with the snow, and then tiny flower heads bloom.

Snowdrops can exist not only on the street, but also in pots on the balcony. And miniature bouquets will stand in a vase for a long time, reminding you of the arrival of spring.

Botanical description

Galanthus is a tiny bulbous perennial. It is distributed in Central and Southern Europe, in middle lane Russia, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. The bulb is elongated vertically, its diameter is 2-3 cm. As it grows, children (small daughter bulbs) form under the outer scales.

The plant has a very short growing season. In early spring, when the sun begins to warm more strongly and the snow melts, snowdrops wake up and release their first leaves. Depending on the climate zone, this can occur from February to May. After a short flowering, the shoots die off and completely disappear by mid-summer.

The elongated bulbous neck contains 2-3 oblong lanceolate leaves of a dark green color. The length of the leaves ranges from 10 to 25 cm. A single peduncle appears simultaneously with the leaves. It carries a single drooping milky bell. The corolla consists of three elongated, oval bracts and three wedge-shaped, shorter petals. The flowers exude a faint but pleasant fragrance.

After pollination, a seed pod with dense walls ripens in place of the bud. Internal partitions divide it into 3 compartments. They contain several small black seeds.

Popular varieties

According to various classifications, there are 12-25 varieties in the genus Galanthus. This discrepancy is due to the fact that some plants are too similar to each other and botanists argue whether to attribute them to separate species or to an already registered one. Let us dwell on the most famous and cultivated varieties.

The plant is common in the mountain forests of Transcaucasia. The yellowish bulb reaches a length of 4 cm, and a width of 2 cm. Dark green flattened leaves with a wax coating rise above it. The length of the plant is 18 cm. The peduncle about 6 cm high carries a snow-white bell. The outer bracts are obovate in shape, slightly curved, their length is about 2 cm. Inside are wedge-shaped petals, they are half as long. On the petals, above the notch, a green spot is visible. Blooms in March.

This species is the most common in Russia for cultivation in culture. It is actively growing and occupies the adjacent territories. In mid-March, 2 narrow sheets of bluish-green color grow out of the soil. Fragrant bells consist of elongated white petals. Closer to the pharynx on the perianth is a yellow spot. Flowering lasts all April. This species has become the basis for several hybrid varieties:

Flore Peno - terry variety with greenish inner petals;
Lutescens is a moody plant with miniature pale flowers;
Lady Elphinstone - terry variety with yellow spots on the inner petals;
Arnot - long white bracts hide a short flower with green spots;
Viridapicis - blooms already at the end of February with large flowers, there are green spots at the ends of all petals.

The plant is found in the Alpine foothills and is most suitable for the northern regions. Above a large bulb 4-5 cm long, erect dark green leaves are located. During the flowering period, their length is 16 cm, and later it reaches 20-25 cm. A white bell is located on a peduncle 15-20 cm long. Oval outer petals hide short ovate ones. A shapeless green spot is visible on the flower. There is no notch on the petals. Flowering occurs in May-June for 20 days. No fruiting, propagated vegetatively.

Also popular among the people blue snowdrops. However, this plant does not belong to the genus Galanthus. Most often, under this name they mean scillas from the Asparagus family. They are quite similar in external structure and early flowering, but they have nothing to do with snowdrops.

Reproduction methods

Most convenient way snowdrops breeding is the branch of young bulbs. Every year, 1-3 additional bulbs are formed on the mother plant. After 3-5 years, when the curtain grows enough, it can be divided. In August-September, after the foliage has completely dried, snowdrops can be transplanted. The bush is carefully divided by hand, trying not to damage the thin rhizome. Bulbs are planted to a depth of 6-8 cm singly or in small groups.

Seed propagation is considered more difficult, although it allows you to get many plants at once. The seeds must be allowed to fully mature. Crops are produced immediately after harvest, as they quickly lose their germination capacity. Sow seeds in open ground to a depth of 1-2 cm. Seedlings bloom in 3-4 years. The place should be chosen shady, calm.

Features of care

Location. Miniature snowdrops grow easily and do not need careful care. However, they are very demanding on the location and composition of the soil. Plant them under trees. The place should be quite shady in summer, but well warmed up by the sun in early spring. Ideal planting under deciduous tall trees such as walnut, cherry, chestnut and others.

Temperature. The plant normally tolerates even very coldy and does not require additional protection. In summer, excessive overheating can lead to the death of the bulbs. To do this, you need shade from the trees.

The soil should be nutritious and moist, but without stagnant water. Loose substrates with the addition of compost or humus are suitable. IN clay soil more sand needs to be added.

Watering snowdrops are needed only in severe drought. Usually they have enough water from melted snow and spring rains.

Fertilizer. During the growing season and flowering, it is worth feeding monthly. Choose phosphate and potassium liquid complexes. From an excess of nitrogen, foliage grows strongly, which is subsequently often affected by fungal diseases.

Diseases and pests. With regular stagnation of water in the soil, snowdrops suffer from fungal diseases (rust, powdery mildew, chlorosis). To save rare plants, you need to choose the right composition of the soil and place. Periodically, it is recommended to transplant and treat the bulbs with a fungicide. The natural pests of Galanthus are slugs, caterpillars, bulbous nematodes, and mice. Coarse sand and shell rock are scattered around the lawn from rodents and slugs, and turf with grass is also placed around the perimeter. From small insects, insecticide treatment will save.

Planting and caring for snowdrops

Usage

By planting snowdrops on the site, you can not only decorate the territory, but also propagate the endangered plant. Galanthus are good in group plantings in rock gardens or in the middle of a lawn. If, however, they are evenly distributed under the trees, you can get a solid carpet, like in a forest.

In flower beds, snowdrops are placed in the foreground, along with others. shade-tolerant plants. When the first flowers fade, attention will turn to the neighbors. These can be blueberries, corydalis, primroses, lungworts, peonies, hosts and even ferns.

Snowdrop bouquets look great in a vase without any decoration, but can be combined with leafy or other flowering specimens. You should not pick a lot of flowers and collect them in the forest, because the snowdrop is listed in the Red Book of Russia. It is better to admire their gentle beauty on the street.

Interestingly, the plant contains galantamine. This alkaloid was isolated in the middle of the 20th century. It is used in traditional medicine and is included in preparations to combat Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of the nervous system.

Snowdrops in landscape design