Galanthus elwesii

snowdrop

Eventual height & spread

Galanthus elwesii

snowdrop

  • 10 × bulbs
  • £9.99
  • available to order from summer
  • 9cm pot | 4 per pot
  • £8.99
  • available to order from spring
  • 2 + 1 Free 9cm pots
  • £17.98 £26.97
  • available to order from spring
  • 30 × bulbs
  • £27.00 £23.97
  • available to order from summer
Delivery options
  • Bulbs (only) £4.95
  • Position: partial shade
  • Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained alkaline to neutral soil
  • Rate of growth: average
  • Flowering period: January to February
  • Hardiness: fully hardy
  • Bulb size: 5/6:


A delicate, winter-flowering, bulbous perennial with broad, strap-like, glaucous leaves, folding one inside the other. Solitary white, pendent flowers have two green spots on the inner petals which sometimes fuse together. Named after H.J. Elwes, an English plant collector (1846-1922), who discovered the original plants in Turkey.


  • Garden care:
    These hardy spring bulbs prefer partial shade and moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil. When planting dormant bulbs in autumn, plant them 10cm (4in) deep and apart in September and October. For 'in the green' plants, maintain the same depth they were growing at previously, in ground prepared with plenty of organic matter such as bagged or home-made well rotted compost. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally, as this replenishes the bulb's energy for next year's display. An annual feed with a good general-purpose fertiliser (like Vitax Q4) in autumn will help keep the bulbs growing vigorously.

    For pots and containers, plant snowdrops more densely for an abundant show. Ensure good drainage and consider moving pots to a sheltered spot during summer dormancy.
    • Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten

    Goes well with