In January, we can only imagine springtime flowers as if they were a dream.  Yet, beneath the snow, snowdrops, a small perennial flower are waiting to emerge from their bulb at the slightest hint of spring warmth.  In late February and early March the snowdrops rise from the earth as the first flowers of the year!

This small white flower is native to a large area of Europe and  has since been naturalized in other parts of the world such our backyards in the Hudson Valley.  On sunny days when the temperature reaches about 50 degrees, pollinators like the small mining bee become active and are grateful for the nectar and pollen from this early spring bloom.