Snowdrops – A January Birth Flower

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on 97.9 WHAV.

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on 97.9 WHAV.

Celebrate a January birthday with one of the two January flowers. One, snowdrops were often found growing in graveyards and were considered bad luck. Now they represent hope and beauty.

The snowdrops bloom in early spring. Drooping white flowers top the 6 inch plants that thrive in part to full shade. These spring blooming beauties are hardy in zones 3 to 7 and prefer cool moist well-drained soils. Warm region gardeners will have to buy pre-cooled bulbs or give them a 15 week chill in the fridge before planting them in the garden.

It may be too early or late to give a gift of blooming snowdrops this January. But plan ahead for next year. Buy bulbs next fall, plant in a container, water and set in the fridge for at least 15 weeks.  Then surprise your January birthdays with a pot of their birth flower to grow and nourish.

A bit more information: You may need to buy a picture, give a gift certificate for bulbs or find another creative way to include this early spring blooming flower in your birthday celebration.  The other January birth flower is the carnation.

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