Snake's head flowers by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About "Snake's head flowers"

by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About the artwork

The snake's head flower is a charming and striking spring-flowering bulbous plant native to Europe.

Snake's head flowers are known for their unique and striking bell-shaped flowers that hang down. The flowers have a distinctive chequerboard pattern in shades of purple, pink or white, resembling the markings of a snake's skin. The narrow, lanceolate leaves grow from the base of the plant and are often spotted or mottled.

In the wild, snake's head flowers are usually found in wet meadows, riverbanks and marshy areas, where the soil is moist and rich in nutrients. They thrive in locations with plenty of sunlight during their growing season in spring, and they take eight years to flower.

They are grown as ornamental plants in gardens and parks. They prefer well-drained soil that remains constantly moist during the growing period, but does not become waterlogged. Plant the bulbs in autumn at a depth of about 10-15 centimetres and place them a few centimetres apart. They are hardy perennials and will naturalise over time if conditions are suitable.

Snake's head flowers bloom early to mid-spring, usually around April, depending on the climate. The flowers remain beautiful for several weeks and are very attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

In folklore and symbolism, snake's head flowers are associated with grace and beauty. They have been admired for centuries for their delicate appearance and unique floral design.