Snowdrops.

The humble snowdrop hails from the mountainous Alpine region and said to have been brought to England by monks. The snowdrop rears it's pearly head in time to coincide with Candlemass celebrations
"The snowdrop in pure white arraie
First rears her hedde on Candemass Daie
While the crocus hastens to the shrine
Of primrose lone on St Valentine"
(From an Old English flower calendar,19th century.)