Growing up to 25 cm tall, snowdrops are easily recognised by their slender green stems and drooping, bell-shaped flowers. Each bloom is made up of six petal-like segments, with the inner tepals shorter and with a small green v pattern. Narrow, grey-green leaves grow from the base of the plant, and snowdrops are often seen in clusters, creating striking carpets of white.

Although widely associated with the British countryside, snowdrops are not native to the UK. They originate from mainland Europe and are thought to have been introduced as ornamental garden plants several centuries ago. By the late 18th century, they were being recorded growing in the wild, having spread from gardens into woods and meadows where conditions suited them. Today, they are widespread and firmly embedded in the seasonal calendar.

Snowdrops favour damp soils and are commonly found in broadleaved woodland, alongside rivers and streams, and in shaded grassland. They also thrive in urban settings, from town parks to back gardens. Traditionally flowering from January to March, earlier blooms are increasingly being recorded during milder winters.

Unlike many spring flowers, snowdrops do not rely on insects for pollination, instead spreading through the division of their bulbs. However, on warmer winter days they may still attract bees and other insects searching for an early source of food. Their presence highlights the importance of healthy woodland and wetland habitats that support wildlife year-round.