With the deep freeze and sustained cold temperatures in southeast Michigan in December, I didn’t expect my snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) to germinate and bloom early.
Since 2012, I’ve been pleasantly surprised during our gray winter days to discover my snowdrops blooming early in my garden.
Only once in 10+ years have these spring-flowering bulbs bloomed in my garden during their “typical” late February/early March blooming time.
After Christmas this holiday season, I checked my front courtyard where the snowdrops are planted. But didn’t find any new leaves popping through the soil.
Checked again a couple days after New Year’s Day: still no new growth.
After our unexpected 60-degree Farenheit weather two days ago, I wondered if the warmer temperatures may have coaxed the snowdrops to grow.
I was correct!
Yesterday I found a delightful surprise: two white flower buds popped through the soil.
And our southeast Michigan area has returned to typical below-freezing winter weather for this time of year.
Snowdrops Blooming Time
The first year my snowdrops bloomed early, I attributed it to a warmer December. And the protection of the brick courtyard where they’re planted.
But when the snowdrops continued to bloom early each year in December/January, I began to expect them to bloom every year at that time.
Until my snowdrops didn’t bloom early in 2022.
Reminded me to manage my expectations about my garden. And delight when those expectations, however so small, come true.
