The hardened leaf-tips of its three narrow leaves help the snowdrop break through frosty ground. The snowdrop is sometimes called 'flower of hope' because it comes so early in the year.

Use this guide to grow snowdrop flowers that will reliably bloom in late winter, even coming up through snow. Snowdrops signal spring, even when the view outdoors may not look spring-like.

Snowdrops tend to be the first flowers to bloom in England every year — according to the Woodland Trust, 26 January is the average date of the first snowdrop flowering. If you're desperate to ...