Galanthus alpinus, commonly called snowdrop, is a bulbous perennial of the amaryllis family that blooms in February-March in the St. Louis area, often poking its flower heads up through snow cover. It is native to forested areas of the Caucasus Mountains. The common name refers to the purported resemblance of the flowers to drops of snow.
Prefers moist, humusy soils in part shade. Grows particularly well under deciduous trees where exposure to the sun is full in early spring but gradually changes to part shade as the trees leaf out. Snowdrops prefer cool climates, and are somewhat short lived when grown south of USDA Zone 7.