This Is the Fall Bulb Everyone Will Be Planting in 2025 for an Early Spring Bloom

It's official: snowdrops (Galanthus) have been named the 2025 Fall Bulb of the Year, according to Flowerbulb.eu. Snowdrops have remarkable cold tolerance, making them a perfect choice, and they are among the first flowers to bloom at the end of winter into early spring.

Snowdrops produce heat through thermogenesis, allowing them to melt surrounding snow and ice so they can push through the frozen soil to survive and bloom in freezing conditions, according to the press release. They also have natural antifreeze properties and proteins that prevent ice crystals from forming on their petals, helping them stand upright in freezing weather. Because snowdrops go through thermogenesis, they can bloom early and appear in gardens weeks before other spring flowers.

Aside from their impressive survival skills, snowdrops also serve as informal weather indicators. According to the release, botanical observations show that snowdrop blooms respond to environmental cues. During cold or wet weather, their petals stay closed, opening during milder, drier conditions. These behaviors give gardeners visual cues about short-term weather conditions.

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While snowdrops are native to parts of Europe and western Asia, they are a hardy species that survives in USDA Zones 3 to 7. Snowdrops prefer well-drained soil in full sun and typically reach a height of 6 to 10 inches. They're great for naturalizing in lawns and woodland gardens.

“They offer one of the earliest sources of nectar for emerging pollinators and add interest to gardens when few other plants are in bloom," says a spokesperson from Flowerbulb.eu. Snowdrops are a beautiful addition to any garden, coming in a variety of colors that entice pollinators and are deer-resistant. They multiply over time, making the perfect lower-maintenance species to plant in your garden this fall.