Snowdrops in January

January 25, 2022 by Mike Powell

In the deepest darkest days of winter, there is still new growth, like these snowdrop flowers (g. Galanthus) that I spotted yesterday at Green Spring Gardens, a county-run historic garden not far from where I live.

I decided to mix things up a bit and put my macro lens on my camera for the first time in months, hoping that I might find flowers in bloom. What can I possibly find that would be flowering in late January? We have had over a foot (30 cm) of snow already this month and some frigid temperatures, a harsher winter than in recent years. I knew from past experience, though, that there was a good chance that some snowdrop flowers would be in bloom—my challenge was to find them.

I searched in vain in flowerbed after flowerbed, until finally I found several small patches of these pretty white flowers. The words to the song Edelweiss from The Sound of Music, one of my favorite musicals, came to mind. Although edelweiss is a completely different flower, the words of the song seemed to fit my snowdrops so well.

“Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow, may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever.”

Posted in Flowers, Gardening, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, Winter | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, edelweiss, g. Galanthus, green spring gardens, snowdrop, snowdrops, Tamron 180mm, The Sound of Music | 22 Comments

22 Responses

on January 25, 2022 at 8:19 am | Reply dianaed14

How lovely to see these
- on January 25, 2022 at 8:32 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Diana. It’s a little early to start thinking about spring, but I think we all welcome these tiny signs of new life (with a whole lot more to come in a few months).
  - on January 27, 2022 at 9:40 am dianaed14
    
    Many snowdrops seen in England. I think that is always heatening
on January 25, 2022 at 8:21 am | Reply Ann Parziale

Thank you for searching for signs of spring! We sure need that now. Snowdrop’s resilience gives us hope. I love how each flower is highlighted against the dewey background.
- on January 25, 2022 at 8:31 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ann. I was searching for other signs of spring, like a crocus or a daffodil, but it is still a bit early for those flowers. Here in Northern Virginia, we had snow showers in the forecast for later this week–we are definitely still in the clutches of winter.
on January 25, 2022 at 9:01 am | Reply Reed Andariese

Very Nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing them!
on January 25, 2022 at 9:32 am | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

Gorgeous. I had to leave my bulbs when we moved. So good to see some again! Purple crocus might be next. We did see some Lenten Roses at our nature center!
- on January 25, 2022 at 9:38 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Molly. I think it will be a month or so before I see the crocuses and grape hyacinth poking out of the ground, along with some early daffodils. This garden is only a couple of miles from where I live, so it is easy for me to check to see what is in bloom (plus my neighbor Cindy also has lots of flowers, including some early ones).
on January 25, 2022 at 10:24 am | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Absolutely beautiful photography. Love the second one with the close up, Wow.
- on January 25, 2022 at 12:54 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Suzette. That second photo is my favorite. However, I decided not to lead with it, because WordPress cuts off photos in the reader preview when the photo is in portrait mode rather than in landscape mode.
  - on January 25, 2022 at 2:25 pm Suzette Benjamin
    
    Interesting. I have to remember your tip. Thank you Mike.😊
on January 25, 2022 at 1:27 pm | Reply Mitzy Bricker

So lovely!

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on January 25, 2022 at 5:26 pm | Reply Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

I love the snowdrops. Right now, everything here is covered in snow, but I know they’re there, under the snow.
- on January 26, 2022 at 5:55 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  We have a bit of snow in the forecast for later this week, so these ones might be covered soon too, but only by an inch or two of snow.
on January 25, 2022 at 5:45 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

A hopeful sight!
on January 25, 2022 at 10:35 pm | Reply Louella Lester

Great shots!
- on January 26, 2022 at 5:53 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Louella.
on January 26, 2022 at 4:53 am | Reply Rupali

Lovely shots. Too early for us.
- on January 26, 2022 at 5:48 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Normally I do not expect to see flowers blooming in mid-winter, but this plant is an obvious exception. 🙂
on January 27, 2022 at 8:08 am | Reply Jet Eliot

A foot of snow this month where you live, and you go out looking and find snowdrops. I love that kind of spirit, Mike. Lovely photos, tender.
on January 30, 2022 at 11:11 pm | Reply nliakos

My daffodils are coming up. I think they are 3 or 4 inches out of the ground by now. They are a reminder that spring is coming, and it isn’t all that far off. Just like your snowdrops. The images are beautiful! They certainly have no competition now!
- on January 31, 2022 at 6:31 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Wow. I was looking for daffodils when I saw the snowdrops. I know that some varieties are early-blooming, but it is a bit early to see blooms. Fortunately they are pretty hardy flowers, so I suspect that your daffodil shoots will be ok.