At first, I have thought "snowdrops" and "snowflakes" are the same but seem to be different according to the following site. "Snowdrops" bloom from February to March while "snowflakes" bloom from March to May . So I understand "snowdrops" are commonly found in cold area like your place! As trivial name in Japanese, "snowdrops" mean grass of waiting snow, while "snowflakes" mean lily of the valley (the flowers are similar to them) and narcissus (the leave are similar to them). http://blog.metmuseum.org/cloistersgardens/2009/02/27/snowdrop-and-snowflake/
We have the snowflakes also, except we call them "snowdrops"....they are harbingers of spring:)
At first, I have thought "snowdrops" and "snowflakes" are the same but seem to be different according to the following site. "Snowdrops" bloom from February to March while "snowflakes" bloom from March to May . So I understand "snowdrops" are commonly found in cold area like your place! As trivial name in Japanese, "snowdrops" mean grass of waiting snow, while "snowflakes" mean lily of the valley (the flowers are similar to them) and narcissus (the leave are similar to them).
http://blog.metmuseum.org/cloistersgardens/2009/02/27/snowdrop-and-snowflake/
「スノードロップ（マツユキソウ）」と「スノーフレーク（スズランスイセン）」、はじめは私も同じと思ったのですが、以下のサイトによると違うもののようです。「スノードロップ（マツユキソウ）」の花は２-３月に咲くのに対して、「スノーフレーク（スズランスイセン）」は３-５月。だから、マリーさんの場所のように寒い地域では「スノードロップ（マツユキソウ）」をよく見かけるのだと思います。日本の慣用名では、「スノードロップ（マツユキソウ）」は雪を待つ草という意味、「スノーフレーク（スズランスイセン）」は鈴蘭（花の形が似ている）と水仙（葉の形が似ている）という意味です。
http://www.yasashi.info/su_00008.htm
http://www.yasashi.info/su_00014.htm