The first sight of Irish snowdrops and daffodils in early spring brings hope of warmer days ahead. I love these little, dainty flowers.
They truly lift my spirits after the dark days of winter.
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Snowdrops and Daffodils
Ireland's snowdrop crop blooms early in late January and early February.
Tiny flowers, as white as pearls, sway on green-hooked stems, shaped like St. Patrick's crozier.
Daffodils dance in the winds, and crocuses bring color to dormant flower beds.
Ireland's First Eurovision Winning Song
For those of us who grew up in Ireland in the 1970's "snowdrops and daffodils" were an important part of our sing along repertoire.
Ireland's first Eurovision Song Contest winner, Dana, was loved by Irish school children. Her winning song brought springtime to mind:
"Snowdrops and daffodils,
Early morning dew.....
..... All kinds of everything
Remind me of you."
The Old Bog Road
Snowdrops and primroses featured in Ireland's folk songs. One of the most haunting songs of my childhood is "The Old Bog Road."
These sad lyrics tell the story of an Irish immigrant to New York, yearning for his homeland. This verse brings a tear to my eye:
"My mother died last springtide, when Ireland's fields were green:
The neighbours said her waking was the finest ever seen.
There were snowdrops and primroses piled up beside her bed,
And Ferns Church was crowded when the funeral Mass was said,
But there was I on Broadway, with building bricks for load,
When they carried out her coffin from the Old Bog Road."
Origins of Snowdrops
Listening to my father recite these lines led me to assume the snowdrop is a native Irish plant. I included a description of snowdrops in my historical novel, set in Ireland in the 1840's.
I decided however I better do some snowdrop research to ensure historical accuracy. I soon discovered there probably weren't many snowdrops to be found in Ireland at the time of the Famine.
What I thought is an-ever-so-Irish plant actually originated in not-so-snowy Turkey. Reluctantly, I deleted my lovely snowdrop descriptions from my novel.
And so I asked the question, how did these precious little flowers find their way across 2000 miles to thrive in the cold, damp soils of my homeland?
Back in 1874 a Victorian botanist, Henry Elwes, collected the plant in Izmir. Before leaving Turkey he established a system for bulb collection and transportation to the British Isles. Millions of snowdrops have been exported ever since.
Springtime Flowers in Ireland
Snowdrops and daffodils flourish in Ireland, probably because Irish gardeners find them poetically beautiful.
Springtime bulbs are planted with care in autumn, with an eager eye kept on the dark soils of winter, watching and waiting for the first spiky green stems of spring to appear.
And once in full bloom we know brighter days are on the way. Here's hoping sunny spring days will arrive very soon in North America.
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Here are some more recipes and ramblings you might enjoy...
Giveaways
- Green Tartan Blanket Giveaway for Saint Patrick's Day
- Celebrate the Holidays with a Taste of Ireland
- Himself and Herself China Mugs From Belleek Pottery
- Celtic Cross Giveaway for Saint Patrick's Day
All Recipes
- How To Make Irish Style Cream of Celery Soup
- Beef and Ale Stew
- Spicy Red Lentil and Carrot Soup
- Scarecrow Cheese Appetizer For Fall
Aimee
Beautiful flowers!
Irish American Mom
Aimee - They really are beautiful. Sometimes I think they resemble little faery bells.
Best wishes,
Mairead
T.M. Johnson
Ahh, snowdrops. Ours have melted, gone the way of Frosty the Snowman. I've tried for a half dozen years to expand my small patch but with little success. I thought the bulbs would multiply like crocus and daffodils but I guess that's not their style. There's a little farmhouse in our valley that boasts a snowdrop snowbank every late February. The flower beds line the front of the house and brim with spring's new hope.
We have naturalized crocus in our garden lawn. Every fall I add a few more (should add some snowdrops, too, I guess...) and mid-February our little lawn is dotted with color.
Your verse "The Old Bog Road" reminds me of my dad. The fall of 1994 he planted crocus in the flower beds around the house. When he was finished, he told my mom he didn't think he'd get to see them bloom. His prediction proved true. The next fall I drove 173 miles to the the pioneer cemetery where we buried him and planted crocus around his grave. I returned the next spring to see them bloom, which, because of the arid environment, they did only once.
It is officially spring here in the maritime Pacific NW...I saw two garage sale signs today. Thanks for the floral breath of spring. TMJ
Irish American Mom
T.M. - What a beautiful story of how you planted crocuses on your father's grave. I'm so happy they bloomed, even if it was only once.
Glad to bring you some springtime floral cheer. Sounds like the Pacific NW seasons are closer to those of the Irish calendar, than the rest of the US. Hopefully spring will soon arrive in the midwest and eastern states too.
All the best,
Mairead
Brian@irelandfavorites
How do the botanicals migrate to Ireland and why? Perhaps they are like the many plundering hoards who tried in vain to overtake this lovely green island. They overcome for a short time but in the end relent. Their influence is felt in the parts of which the Irish will accept, a friend of mine who was a Viking historian once said to me that the Vikings were not so much conquered as they were assimilated, so maybe the snowdrops being in tune with the Irish heartbeat decided to be one with the landscape. Just a thought ,
Cheers,
Brian.
Irish American Mom
I like that, Brian. I think the snowdrops have definitely decided to be one with the landscape. They really do brighten early spring days when they first appear.
All the best,
Mairead
Kay G.
You know I love flowers! How interesting about the snowdrops! We don't have snowdrops in Georgia (none that I know of anyway!) but we do have daffodils or DAFFS as my mother-in-law calls them!
Nice thing, squirrels don't like the daffodil bulbs so that makes them a good thing to have in the garden!
Irish American Mom
Kay - I too love flowers. It's good to know squirrels don't like daffodil bulbs. That must be why mine grow so well in Kentucky. I don't know how late they will appear this year, after this snowy winter.
All the best,
Mairead
Cheryl Barker
Mairead, I've never heard of Irish snowdrops before. What delicate, pretty flowers -- and love their name. That last photo of the daffodil is an especially gorgeous shot. Thanks for sharing!
Irish American Mom
Glad you like these photos of spring. Snowdrops are especially beautiful and are usually the first to flowers of spring to bloom in Ireland, sometimes as early as February.
All the best,
Mairead