Snowdrop vs Summer snowflake
Both have nodding white bells, but a snowdrop has three long outer petals around three short inner ones, while a snowflake has six equal petals, each tipped with a green dot. Snowdrops are the first, in late winter, and stand about six inches. The summer snowflake, despite its name, flowers in mid-spring, grows three times the height, and is one of the few bulbs that thrive in heavy, wet soil.
 SnowdropGalanthus nivalis |  Summer snowflakeLeucojum aestivum | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6 in tall, 4 in wide | 18 in tall, 8 in wide |
| Plant | 4 in apart | 6 in apart |
| Zones | 3 to 8 | 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Evenly moist, average fertility | Evenly moist, average fertility |
| Flowers | Early March to late March; white | Late April to mid May; white |
| Leaves | Fine, summer-dormant | Medium, summer-dormant |
| Job in a bed | Bulb layer | Bulb layer |
| Pets | Toxic (mild) | Toxic (mild) |
| Deer | Resistant | Resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose snowdrop for colder gardens (to zone 3) and a smaller space (6 in against 18 in).
- Choose summer snowflake for dry summers and more height (18 in against 6 in).
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What summer snowflake brings beside snowdrop: takes over when it finishes, flowering from late April; tall enough (18 in) to stand behind it; happy in the same moist soil. They share full sun, part sun and part shade and zones 4 to 8.
Read more: all about snowdrop, and all about summer snowflake, each with a bed the planner designed around it.