Snowdrop Parade

The last few days have been very nice around here, looks like spring really wants to settle in. It is welcome to stay as far as I am concerned as we've got enough of winter already. It's time for a new beginning, for more light, sunshine and mild temperatures. It's time for the gardening season to begin.

At this part of the world snowdrops are considered the heralds of spring. When you see snowdrops appearing in certain gardens, or at the flower shops on the corner, you know spring is not far.

Galanthus (from Ancient Greek γάλα, (gála, "milk") + ἄνθος (ánthos, "flower")), or snowdrop, is a small genus of approximately 20 species of bulbous perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. The plants have two linear leaves and a single small white drooping bell-shaped flower with six petal-like (petaloid) tepals in two circles (whorls). The smaller inner petals have green markings.

Snowdrops have been known since the earliest times under various names, but were named Galanthus in 1753. As the number of recognised species increased, various attempts were made to divide the species into subgroups, usually on the basis of the pattern of the emerging leaves (vernation).

Most species flower in winter, before the vernal equinox (20 or 21 March in the Northern Hemisphere), but some flower in early spring and late autumn. source

Snowdrops are on the red list of threatened species, among other 40,000 species of amphibians, animal, birds, conifers, corals, reptiles etc. Snowdrops are protected in several countries in Europe, in Romania as well. The reason is to protect natural areas, conservation of natural habitats, wild flora and fauna. Collecting snowdrops can bring you imprisonment from 3 months to one year or a nice fine.

When I was a kid, we used to go to the nearest woods and collect snowdrops, violets, lily of the valley and colchicum as well. Those were the fun days. How happy we were when we came home with a bouquet of colorful spring flowers. Unfortunately with all the pollution happening in cities these days, you can't find these flowers at the edge of the woods. From 2017, there's a law protecting these beauties, so if you want some, you have to buy them. I suppose you have to have a license to grow it and sell it.

There's a tradition in my country. Men are gifting women snowdrops on the 1st of March. This tradition is not new, it dates back to the previous century, however, nowadays you get other flowers as well as these poor flowers are not considered good enough by some.

It's not the 1st March yet, but today I got a bouquet of snowdrops and could not be more happier. It's on my desk and I'm looking at it quite often, enjoying it.

Because I suppose quite many of you haven't seen this flower in real life, so I decided to do a photo shoot and show you this beauty. I always love to see and learn about new things and Hive is the perfect place for that. If you've been here for awhile, you must already know that.

To tell you the truth, I've known this flower all my life but have never looked at it as I did today. These macro photos are showing a way closer look, not like in real life. The flower may look simple, but those petals are amazing. I live the texture of the petals and that light green. Snowdrops have no scent, unfortunately

Now comes the surprise 😃 I thought it would be fair to show the size of the flower for those that have never seen snowdrops and don't know anything about it. This is the size of the flower, compared to a simple, regular match. Macro photos can be deceiving, so now you know.

I need to mention, this is the regular smaller one. There's another type, that is twice the size of the flower on the photo but you never see those at the flower shop. I know some private gardens that have those, but other that admiring it from outside, there's little you can do.

With all that is going on in the world, I am trying not to take anything for granted and enjoy little things. It's easy to drive yourself crazy with the everyday problems, then you get sick and regret all the things you haven't done because you have been busy focusing on what you shouldn't have. So I'm enjoying my snowdrops today and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, till they last.