They were waiting, under the snow. In a flower bed tucked into the right angle where the brick wall of the attached garage meets the enclosed back porch. A favored spot in terms of sun, where the snow melts early.
I was wondering if the melting snow would reveal the green shoots of the Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). But they had exceeded my expectations, with flower buds at the ready. And within a week or so those flowers will bloom.
There is still plenty of snow on the ground, especially on the north-facing front of the house. Still, it is melting everywhere. And the earliest flowering bulbs are ready – I also saw the tips of some Daffodil shoots in a clear spot.
And that gladdens my heart.
gardeninacity 
I understand, Brother. And that’s why we garden, right?
Those snowdrops are a sign of impending spring, a welcome sight! In my part of Oregon, daffodils usually bloom first, with snowdrops and crocus not far behind. We have been very lucky with the weather, so far, this year.
I may have mentioned earlier that when I was a tyke, I was told that crocus are the first flowers to bloom as the snow is melting. (There were no snowdrops.) I understood the part about them being the first flowers to bloom, but had no idea about what ‘snow’ was.
Ha!
Isn’t it exciting to see things revealed by the melting snow! You can imagine what will be next.
I found my first crocus today after the deluge we had last night. No more snow in my garden. Even the piles are not gone.
It won’t be long and the same for you will happen.
fingers crossed
What was thick frozen slush here from two weeks ago is stubbornly hanging on in little clumps, but we are promised 60s today and we’ve had a serious April shower, so those clumps won’t be around much longer. A squishy walk through the mud yesterday showed me narcissus shoots, chives, lemon balm, thyme, and muscari all reviving. Soon you can get that shovel out of the picture!
Ah, snowdrops. Always reliable. All those photos of freshly fallen snow in your neighborhood streets are lovely.
š They had probably been waiting patiently for days for the snow to melt – they do surprise us don’t they?! I fortunately don’t have neighbours within earshot to hear my occasional squeals and gasps when the first flowers arrive. š I haven’t seen any daffodil shoots here yet… maybe tomorrow. We have had a very warm spell and our snow has gone at last.
Judy saw some shoots from ‘Tete-a-Tete’ today,
Snowdrops do lift the winter-weary spirits, don’t they? Mine are popped up in several places, just as yours are. And a few snow crocuses in sunny spots. Makes gardeners smile huh? Enjoy!
Daffs poking up in the micro climate near my back door. The heart sings!
Raindrops and snowdrops and whiskers on kittens…
These are a few of my favorite things.
Yes, yes! Spring is on the way with those beautiful snowdrops in bloom. It is even coming to Maine. No snowdrops yet, but the birds have begun their spring songs.
I saw vernal witch hazel blossoms today and daffodil and reticulated iris shoots. Spring is indeed happening!
Snowdrops are truly amazing, growing in such frozen conditions….such a welcome sight after a long winter. You must be looking forward to spring…
It is a special moment to see the first shoots after the winter. Snowdrops are especially astounding. In France they are called “perce neige” which means that they pierce through the snow – a very apt name. Amelia
Very apt, indeed.
It is incredible that they make their way through the blanket of snow. I’m sure you are glad to see the winter melting away.
Mine too. That’s quite some snow! I loved the picture of the snowdrops with the snow looking like a wave pulling back on the shore.
I don’t grow those tough little guys. For me it’s Daffodils and Crocuses that are harbingers of Spring (although often the rabbits get to them before I do).
You still seem have way too much snow… Can you look out the front door and imagine what it would look like in July?
I’d never seen snowdrops until last year, when I found a few in a cemetery, and a very few in a garden at a historic site. They’re such beautiful little things, and I’m always amazed when I see them covering hillsides where they’ve naturalized. Everyone’s wonderful how things will be here this spring, but when the landscapers pulled back the freeze cloth from plantings in medians and such, there were the pansies they’d just planted a couple of weeks ago: a little bedraggled, but still blooming!
Our landscape looks similar to yours, but you have these beauties getting ready to shine. There is nothing more encouraging than those little blooms. Enjoy!
That’s still a lot of snow. How wonderful that those little beauties survived and those flowers weren’t damaged. They sure are tough.xxx
Hello Jason, the difference in snow over two weeks is amazing. It’s incredible the sheer volume you’d had. I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like it. Our snowdrops are pampered by comparison! The snow cover at least keeps what’s underneath “insulated” in case temperatures drop further.
Very true – a layer of snow is much better than a deep freeze without snow.