The emergence of snowdrops is one of the earliest signs that spring is on the way, and in most years you’ll see the very first ones make an appearance in late January. They are also known in some parts as Candlemas because of the time of year they emerge. As the saying goes, ‘The snowdrop, in purest white array, first rears her head on Candlemas Day’ (see February).
There are several species of snowdrop. Our native wild flowers have drooping white blooms with a small green patch on the inner petal tip and just one flower per stem. If you see any other kind on your winter walk it’s likely to originate from a cultivated variety (of which there are many).
So, towards the end of the month, wrap up warm and take a wintery wander through damp woodland near to streams or ponds, keep a close eye on the ground and you should spot them. The delicate flowers you see were actually formed nearly a year ago, but they wait until the following winter before pushing up through the soil. (They contain a natural anti-freeze which helps them survive the icy weather. It’s so effective that the wild plants were harvested during the First World War to make de-icing chemicals for tanks.)