First Signs of Spring 2025 - v1
Snow Drop (Galanthus nivalis)
One of the first signs of spring. While not native to these shores, these hardy flowers have become a familiar indicator of the shifting seasons and a sure sign that warmer weather is on its way.
Snowdrops are found across the UK. They favour damp soil and are often found in broadleaved woodland and along riverbanks, but can also be seen in parks, gardens, meadows and scrub. The species normally flowers in January and February, but there are an increasing number of December flowerings being recorded and even the occasional November sighting.
Snowdrops are not native to the UK, although exactly when they were introduced is unclear. It’s thought they may have been grown as an ornamental garden plant as early as the 16th century, but were not recorded in the wild until the late 18th century. The snowdrop’s native range is mainland Europe.
As they flower so early, snowdrops do not rely on pollinators to reproduce. Instead, they spread via bulb division. However, they may still be visited by bees and other insects on a particularly warm day.
The flowering of snowdrops is one of the first signs that winter is drawing to an end. As a result, the flower has long been viewed as a symbol of hope for better times ahead. However, to see a single snowdrop flower was once viewed as a sign of impending death and it was considered bad luck to take one into a house.
The flower has a long association with the Christian festival of Candlemas and was often used to decorate churches during the celebration. This earned it the alternative name of Candlemas Bells.
Traditionally, snowdrops were used to treat headaches and as a painkiller. In modern medicine a compound in the bulb has been used to develop a dementia treatment. Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous if eaten.
The snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means that it's close to qualifying as threatened, but isn't currently considered threatened.
Crocus
Crocus is a genus of seasonal flowering plants in the family Iridaceae (iris family) comprising about 100 species of perennials growing from corms.
Crocuses emerge from an underground corm and die back shortly after flowering. The corm is covered in a dry sheath, known as a tunic, and many species have contractile roots that can pull the corm deeper into the soil. Each corm typically produces one or two low-growing flowers. The flowers have three petals, three petal-like sepals, and three broad pollen-receptive stigma branches, under which are the pollen-producing anthers. The flowers come in a range of colors, depending on the species, and are commonly white, yellow, purple, lilac, or mauve. Like other members of the iris family, the fruit is a dry capsule that splits open to release the seeds. The grasslike leaves characteristically feature a pale or white stripe along the midrib.
The flowers close at night and in overcast weather conditions. The crocus has been known throughout recorded history, mainly as the source of saffron. Saffron is obtained from the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, an autumn-blooming species. It is valued as a spice and dyestuff, and is one of the most expensive spices in the world.
Wild crocus flowers include the Early Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) and are native to many areas of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They can be found in grasslands, woodlands, and along roads. A perennial herb that can grow up to 10 cm tall, has delicate lilac flowers and narrow leaves, this crocus flowers from February to April, spreads easily by corms and seed and is more common in the South, but thinly scattered. A nature reserve in West Berkshire that hosts the UK's largest display of wild spring crocuses. The field is awash with purple and white blooms from late February to early April.
First Signs of Spring 2025 - v1
Snow Drop (Galanthus nivalis)
One of the first signs of spring. While not native to these shores, these hardy flowers have become a familiar indicator of the shifting seasons and a sure sign that warmer weather is on its way.
Snowdrops are found across the UK. They favour damp soil and are often found in broadleaved woodland and along riverbanks, but can also be seen in parks, gardens, meadows and scrub. The species normally flowers in January and February, but there are an increasing number of December flowerings being recorded and even the occasional November sighting.
Snowdrops are not native to the UK, although exactly when they were introduced is unclear. It’s thought they may have been grown as an ornamental garden plant as early as the 16th century, but were not recorded in the wild until the late 18th century. The snowdrop’s native range is mainland Europe.
As they flower so early, snowdrops do not rely on pollinators to reproduce. Instead, they spread via bulb division. However, they may still be visited by bees and other insects on a particularly warm day.
The flowering of snowdrops is one of the first signs that winter is drawing to an end. As a result, the flower has long been viewed as a symbol of hope for better times ahead. However, to see a single snowdrop flower was once viewed as a sign of impending death and it was considered bad luck to take one into a house.
The flower has a long association with the Christian festival of Candlemas and was often used to decorate churches during the celebration. This earned it the alternative name of Candlemas Bells.
Traditionally, snowdrops were used to treat headaches and as a painkiller. In modern medicine a compound in the bulb has been used to develop a dementia treatment. Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous if eaten.
The snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means that it's close to qualifying as threatened, but isn't currently considered threatened.
Crocus
Crocus is a genus of seasonal flowering plants in the family Iridaceae (iris family) comprising about 100 species of perennials growing from corms.
Crocuses emerge from an underground corm and die back shortly after flowering. The corm is covered in a dry sheath, known as a tunic, and many species have contractile roots that can pull the corm deeper into the soil. Each corm typically produces one or two low-growing flowers. The flowers have three petals, three petal-like sepals, and three broad pollen-receptive stigma branches, under which are the pollen-producing anthers. The flowers come in a range of colors, depending on the species, and are commonly white, yellow, purple, lilac, or mauve. Like other members of the iris family, the fruit is a dry capsule that splits open to release the seeds. The grasslike leaves characteristically feature a pale or white stripe along the midrib.
The flowers close at night and in overcast weather conditions. The crocus has been known throughout recorded history, mainly as the source of saffron. Saffron is obtained from the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, an autumn-blooming species. It is valued as a spice and dyestuff, and is one of the most expensive spices in the world.
Wild crocus flowers include the Early Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) and are native to many areas of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They can be found in grasslands, woodlands, and along roads. A perennial herb that can grow up to 10 cm tall, has delicate lilac flowers and narrow leaves, this crocus flowers from February to April, spreads easily by corms and seed and is more common in the South, but thinly scattered. A nature reserve in West Berkshire that hosts the UK's largest display of wild spring crocuses. The field is awash with purple and white blooms from late February to early April.