Sensational Snowdrops - planting and classroom activity sheets
It's a great time of year for a snowdrop project. Get your class outdoors planting and when you need to warm up we've got lots of ideas for fun, snowdrop related classroom activities.
What could be more cheery than the dainty but brave Snowdrops pushing their heads through the winter snow or frosty ground. If you have an area of deciduous trees or shrubs swathes of snowdrops will look amazing, especially followed by English bluebells.
What is a snowdrop?
A snowdrop is a bulb. All the plants energy for growth is stored in it's bulb waiting for the right conditions to grow. Because snowdrop bulbs are so small, if they are left unplanted, they can dry out very easily, which they don't like! The best way to plant them is just after they have flowered while they are still 'in the green' - meaning they still have their green leaves
Let's get planting......
Snowdrops are easy to grow and easy to look after - which is perfect for a planting project with children.
| What you will need: |
Snowdrops 'in the green' - we sell them in quantities of 100's for just £14 (plus p+p), email us to order and we will send you a confirmation. Trowel or a bulb dibber |
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When to plant them: |
February to end March |
| Where to plant them: |
Happiest in partial shade in well drained soil, try to choose a site that doesn't get too hot and dry in summer They will look great under deciduous trees and shrubs |
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How to plant them:
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Don't worry about trying to separate every bulb, it's ok to plant a few together and they look great in clumps. Plant to a depth of 8cm Plant with winter aconites (Eranthis) and Bluebells |
That's it! once you've planted them you can more or less leave them to get on with it. They don't mind getting too close to one another, in fact the closer they are the better they look.
Classroom Activities - come in from the cold and have fun, name the different parts of a snowdrop, create snowdrop models, collages and paintings for a classroom display
Fascinating facts about snowdrops
- The botanical name for a snowdrop is Galanthus (which translates to milk flower - 'gala' means milk, 'anthos/us' means flower)
- People who collect snowdrops are called Galanthophiles
- Galantamine is a medicine obtained from the Caucasian snowdrop and is used for the treatment of Alzheimers and Vascular Dementia
- There are 20 species of snowdrop, each have different green markings on their white petals
- A snowdrop leaf has a reinforced tip that helps it push through snow
- Snowdrops multiply by division of their underground bulb
Photo: Graham Rice / GardenPhotos.com