Galanthus elwesii (Greater Snowdrop)
Michael's Opinion
This is one of my favourite snowdrops, producing large bold clumps that have a pronounced presence in the garden. A class plant!
Botanical Information
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Genus | Galanthus |
| Species | elwesii |
| Category | Bulbs, Perennials |
| Origin | Native to the Balkans through to western Turkey, introduced into cultivation in 1874. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 7b - 8a |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 7b |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 (I have successfully grown this plant easily in H7) |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -15 to -10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 5 - 14 |
| Height | 10 - 50 cm |
| Spread | 10 cm |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | March, April |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Dwarf bulbous perennials. |
| ID Characteristic | Broad, glaucous leaves wit solitary white flowers. |
| Landscape | Plant in clumps under trees or combine with strong bold perennials that will later hide the yellowing foliage. I have planted clumps under Acer griseum to great effect. |
| Propagation | Clumps may be divided 'in the green': lifting clumps and dividing when in full foliage or lifting and dividing dormant bulbs in late summer. Use caution when 'dividing in the green' as broken roots will not re-grow until the following season unlike other perennials. |
| Cultivation | Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. |
| Pests | Slugs, narcissus bulb fly and grey mould. |
| Notable Specimens | The Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. |
| Leaf Description | Coarse strap-like foliage with a slight bluish tinge to it. |
| Flower Description | Large, 2 cm, globe shaped, pendulous blooms. |
Photographs
Plants slavaged from a 100 year old abandoned farm in The Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada.
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