Snowdrops: Further Confessions of a Galanthophile
Carolyn’s Shade Gardens is a retail nursery located in Bryn Mawr, PA, specializing in showy, colorful, and unusual plants for shade. The only plants that we ship are snowdrops to the US only. For catalogues and announcements of local events, please send your full name, mailing address, and cell number to carolyn@carolynsshadegardens.com and indicate whether you are mail order only. Click here to get to the home page of our website for catalogues and information about our nursery and to subscribe to our blog.
Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ described in Snowdrops as having “elegant elongated flowers that suggest the drop-pearl earrings of Elizabeth I,” I can’t improve on that
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Our current snowdrop catalogue is on line here.
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This article includes photographs and colorful descriptions of the 15 snowdrops I am offering for sale in my 2011 Snowdrop Catalogue.
In my garden, I have many forms of Galanthus elwesii, which was named for Henry John Elwes (1846-1922), described as a “true energetic Victorian” combing the world for big game, fine trees, insects, birds, and snowdrops
In my article Snowdrops or the Confessions of a Galanthophile, I revealed that I am obsessed with snowdrops. I described my evolution from a gardener growing a few distinct varieties to a galanthophile collecting every cultivated snowdrop I could get my hands on. I explained that I could now see the often subtle differences between flowers that others might unknowingly (shall we say ignorantly) dismiss as ridiculous. To understand how far I have gone down this road, know that I recently found myself describing a snowdrop as having “a bold inner marking with a basal blotch narrowly joined to an apical round-armed V.” There is no turning back.
Galanthus nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’, probably the oldest snowdrop cultivar in existence with records as early as 1703
But I didn’t talk about one of the things I find most fascinating about snowdrops. They are the only plant that I would purchase as much for their colorful history as for their ornamental characteristics. And how do I find out about their captivating lineage: I consult Snowdrops: A Monograph of Cultivated Galanthus by Matt Bishop, Aaron Davis, and John Grimshaw (Griffin Press 2006). This book, always referred to as the snowdrop bible, has all the information anyone could want about the 500 “commonly” cultivated snowdrops.
The Greatorex Double, Galanthus ‘Ophelia’
After reading Snowdrops, who would not want Galanthus ‘Ophelia’, a beautiful double snowdrop, when it was originated by Heyrick Greatorex of Brundall, Norfolk, England, a man who lived “an unconventional lifestyle” in a wooden garden shed that might have been a railway carriage? Or a snowdrop like Galanthus ‘Magnet’ that has reached its centenary [a word not used commonly in the US so I had to look it up] and was probably named for “the old-fashioned child’s game in which magnets are attached to miniature fishing rods for the purpose of picking up painted metal fish, the point being to win the game by catching the most?” I played that game.
Galanthus ‘Magnet’, can you can see the miniature fishing rod?
Galanthus ‘Straffan’, Baron Clarina of Ireland’s souvenir of the Crimean War
Who can resist the indestructible Galanthus ‘Straffan’, the third oldest snowdrop cultivar still in existence, discovered in the later 1800s by the head gardener for Straffan House in County Kildare, Ireland, in a clump of G. plicatus brought back from the Crimean War by the owner, the fourth Baron Clarina? Or October-flowering Galanthus reginae-olgae, named in 1876 in honor of Queen Olga of Greece, the grandmother of the current Duke of Edinburgh? [In the US, we would say grandmother of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband.]
The October-flowering Galanthus reginae-olgae, named for Prince Philip’s grandmother, photo Charles Cresson
Galanthus nivalis, the common snowdrop, has a 500-year lineage to brag about
Even the plain old common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, an imminently garden-worthy plant, has been cultivated as an ornamental in England since the 16th century. There are written records. The species snowdrop, Galanthus woronowii, was collected on the eastern shores of the Black Sea and named by a Russian botanist for Russian plant collector Georg Jurii Nikolaewitch Woronow (1874-1931).
The shiny green leaves of Galanthus woronowii named for plant collector Georg Jurii Nikolaewitch Woronow, photo Charles Cresson
Galanthus ‘Blewbury Tart’ found by Alan Street in Blewbury, Oxfordshire, England
Even more modern snowdrops have name-dropping heritages. Snowdrops tells us that when noted horticulturist Alan Street of the well known English bulb house, Avon Bulbs, and the discoverer of Galanthus ‘Blewbury Tart’, gave three bulbs instead of one to quirky English gardener, Primrose Warburg (1920-1996), she “characteristically complained” and called it ‘Blewbury Muffin’. This is the same Primrose Warburg who we are told cautioned visitors navigating her treacherous garden slope to be careful, not because they might hurt themselves, but because the snowdrops were irreplaceable. Galanthus ‘Beth Chatto’ was, of course, discovered in the gardens of the internationally famous gardener and writer, Beth Chatto, OBE [Order of the British Empire].
Galanthus ‘Beth Chatto’ from the internationally famous Beth Chatto Gardens
Snowdrops describes Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’ as the “classic snowdrop….a first-class garden plant with an unquestionable constitution, admired by everyone,” photo Charles Cresson
Other cultivars have discussions of their origins so complicated as to rival the US Tax Code, something I am familiar with from my former career. Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’ is in danger of losing its name to ‘Arnott’s Seedling’, the name under which it was given the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, but a name deemed unsuitable because E.A. Bowles, “one of the most revered plantsman of all times,” later called it ‘S. Arnott’. The International Cultivar Registration Society in the Netherlands has been so advised. Galanthus nivalis ‘Viridapice’ has evidently had many imitators since it was discovered prior to 1922 near an old farmhouse in northern Holland, and confusion is rampant.
Galanthus nivalis ‘Viridapice’, hopefully not an impostor
Please do not think I am in any way making fun of this book. I love it, and I wish all plant genera had books this information-packed and well written dedicated to them. I list Snowdrops on my Blotanical profile as the garden book I am currently reading because I am always reading it. Rumor has it that a new edition is in the works (for an update from John Grimshaw, click here), and I will buy it. If you like snowdrops, you should own it too.
Well, based on the tales found in the snowdrop bible, what cultivars are in my future? I am intrigued by ‘Lady Beatrix Stanley’, a vigorous double, whose namesake (1877-1944) struggled to create an English garden in India when her husband was Governor of Madras. I have my eye on ‘Merlin’ with its solid green blotch, whose stock was maintained by Amy Doncaster (1894-1995), “a greatly admired, no-nonsense plantswoman” who collected my favorite plants, snowdrops, hellebores and epimediums, in her woodland garden. Finally, I would like to grow ‘Primrose Warburg’, a rare yellow snowdrop, because I think I might be just like her when I grow up.
Galanthus ‘Merlin’ whose stock was maintained by no-nonsense plantswoman Amy Doncaster
Carolyn
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The view from my office this morning:
CAROLYN'S SHADE GARDENS 
January 22, 2011 at 5:57 pm
1. I want to change my name to Primrose.
2. I had forgotten about the beautiful snowdrops in my garden in NY until right now,
3. I wonder if they’ll grow in zone 7a?
January 22, 2011 at 6:08 pm
We will change our names to Primrose together, it really is so perfect. I am in zone 6b verging on 7a so I am willing to say they will do fine there. Others readers are invited to chime in with their zonal experiences with snowdrops. Carolyn
January 22, 2011 at 7:35 pm
I’m in Washington, DC, zone 7a. Snowdrops bloom beautifully here.
Love your detailed descriptions and superb photos, Carolyn! I am reading the description of G. ‘Ophelia’ — ” … the flowers on the second stem often need help to open.” Could you kindly clarify the “help” that’s needed? Many thanks!
January 22, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Sharon, Thanks for being the first to respond with zone information. You have to understand that the first flowers have already bloomed beautifully so this is just a bonus. All you do is tear or slit the outer casing on the buds on the second stem if they appear to be bulging but not opening. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify. Carolyn
February 27, 2013 at 9:28 am
Sharon,
I am with my wife in Bethesda for a month. She is very sick at NIH and I need to lift her spirits at least for a while. We are originally from Romania where there is a custom of offering snowdrops to the loved feminin ones on March 1st. Do you know where I can find/buy snowdrops in Washington area?
Thank you very much
February 27, 2013 at 11:41 am
Mucius, I have forwarded your comment on to Sharon who lives in the DC area and asked her if she can help you. I gave her your email address. Good luck and best wishes, Carolyn
February 27, 2013 at 11:50 am
thank you
January 22, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Which Snowdrops, if any, do you recommend for central Texas (Zone 8b). Does it get too hot & dry during the summer, or even not cold enough in the winter for Snowdrops?
January 23, 2011 at 7:29 am
The only place I have grown snowdrops is zone 6, and every one I plant thrives. The best way to answer your question is to consult local Austin gardeners, your local extension service or arboretum, or a regional gardening book (in that order). I consulted my Longwood Gardens course book on Hardy Bulbs, and it lists G. nivalis as zones 3-8, G. reginae-olgae as zones 6-8, G. plicatus subsp. byzantinus as zones 6-8, and G. elwesii as “zones 4-8?”. This guidance can’t replace local knowledge—could some other Austin bloggers chime in if they have snowdrops? Carolyn
January 22, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Carolyn, I am truly fond of the common snowdrop and very glad to know of its impressive lineage! Great post as always! The book looks very interesting – me thinks I will have to find a copy.
January 23, 2011 at 7:31 am
Carol, If you love the details of plant history, you will love this book. Great for reading by the fire on a cold winter day. Carolyn
January 23, 2011 at 4:27 am
Without wishing to gloat (too much), I have gardened in England where of course snowdrops flourish, and there are many nurseries that propagate and sell rare examples. Primrose Warberg (I had thought it was Warburg) is stunning – a true yellow.
Do you know which cultivar it is on the cover of the book? The flowers are delightful, like plump little ball gowns.
January 23, 2011 at 7:36 am
Jill, You are gloating shamelessly, and we deprived galanthophiles over here in the US don’t appreciate it. I hope my article made you contemplate your good fortune in addition to gloating. That was a typo, it is Warburg, thanks for pointing it out so I could correct it. I have also added a link with information from John Grimshaw on the progress of the new book. The cover photo is of G. elwesii, the giant or Turkish snowdrop. “Plump little ball gowns” is a wonderful description worthy of the snowdrop bible itself. Carolyn
January 23, 2011 at 9:19 am
Carolyn, you’re right. In England snowdrops are lovely but ubiquitous – your article did indeed make me think how lucky we are to have such a galantho-friendly climate.
January 23, 2011 at 9:25 am
Jill, Now that’s better. Carolyn
January 23, 2011 at 9:03 am
Great article! I’d like to add some biological/grammatical naming information: the plural of genus is genera (it’s Latin).
January 23, 2011 at 9:24 am
Chris, Thanks for that helpful information. I should have known that. I will update my post immediately. I really appreciate it when readers help to make my articles more accurate. Carolyn
January 23, 2011 at 10:22 am
Ah Carolyn, I’m already addicted to Hellebores and now you are making me covet Galanthuses (is that a word?) too. I have an order already planned from your catalog. Please stop! You know what a plant geek I am.
January 23, 2011 at 11:15 am
Loretta, You will find that my nursery causes addictions. Seriously, thanks so much for takingt he time to comment. I love hearing from my customers. Carolyn
January 23, 2011 at 11:36 am
Snowdrops may well flourish in the UK, but I have never seen so many wonderful varieties which you have. Sam Arnotts the one in our garden.
January 23, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Alistair, How gracious of you! I am really just joking around with landscapelover—I would be smug about snowdrops if I lived in the UK. Carolyn
January 23, 2011 at 3:54 pm
just love all the different kinds here..they are so dainty and beautiful in spring…
January 23, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Donna, I am glad others can appreciate their fine points. It can seem a bit silly at times. Carolyn
January 23, 2011 at 4:58 pm
I had no idea there were so many snowdrops available. You have convinced me to take another look at the snowdrop as I have always considered them so ‘common’. That said I do grow snowdrops in my garden although which kind it is is for someone else to determine.
January 24, 2011 at 8:36 am
Patty, Rather than being common, snowdrops exist in a rather rarefied atmosphere, which is one of the things that make them fun. Carolyn
January 24, 2011 at 3:13 am
@landscapelover: the cover of ‘Snowdrops’ shows a nice clump of an unnamed, ordinary form of Galanthus elwesii. It was photographed on 25 January 1999 in Jeanette Axton’s garden, Etna, California. We do not have a monopoly of snowdrops on this side of the Atlantic!
January 24, 2011 at 8:40 am
John, Nothing like having the author of Snowdrops defend American snowdrops. As you know, our problem here is more one of supply than of demand or interest. A wide variety of snowdrops are just not available in the US. I hope to change that, but it will be a slow process. Thanks for letting us know that the cover of your book was photographed in the US. Carolyn
January 24, 2011 at 6:05 am
I must add some to my garden. I love your post and put it on FB.
Donna
January 24, 2011 at 8:41 am
Donna, Thanks for the FB publicity. I do mail order. Carolyn
January 24, 2011 at 8:32 am
I had several different snowdrops in my old garden. moved this past September so will miss them this year. they are my favorite bulb.
time to replant!!!!
January 24, 2011 at 8:42 am
Ann, Glad to hear from another snowdrop lover. Yes, it is time to replant. I do mail order. Carolyn
January 24, 2011 at 9:48 am
Carolyn, hi,
I am sorry if my jokey comment “gloating” about UK snowdrops has upset or annoyed any of your readers… As someone who loves this blog, and has lived and gardened in the northern US, I do appreciate that the UK does not have a monopoly on lovely garden plants. My comment was not meant to be smug, but rather sympathetic for the more extreme climatic conditions that US gardeners frequently face.
Perhaps my gloating is being punished by the fact that I now have to live in a city apartment with no garden at all?
January 24, 2011 at 11:10 am
Jill, I loved your original comment and felt after reading it that you really understood what my post was all about. I took your comment exactly as it was intended and felt it was in the spirit of my post which was, in addition to highlighting snowdrops and the snowdrop bible, poking fun at myself and the whole galanthophile world, which take snowdrops so seriously and which I so enjoy being part of. I found absolutely nothing smug about it. My allusions to it in response to other comments were meant to continue the fun. I don’t think any of my readers were actually annoyed or upset–it is so hard to convey in words what accompanying visual cues would convey in a second. I think they were just joining in the fun. Carolyn
January 24, 2011 at 11:50 am
I never realized there was a yellow snowdrop Carolyn, lovely post, Frances
January 24, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Frances, There are in fact quite a few yellow snowdrops around, but they are quite rare and pricey. Carolyn
January 24, 2011 at 12:01 pm
landscapelover, we appreciated your comment for just what it was and it made us smile. Not to worry.
January 24, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Loretta, It was so kind of you to add this comment. Landscapelover who lives and blogs in Paris (click her name to read a great blog) assures me that she is fine and was just concerned that my readers were upset. Carolyn
January 24, 2011 at 5:48 pm
I really enjoyed your informative post Carolyn and your exquisite photographs. I have a small collection of named snowdrops which have given me great joy over a good few years. I took a gamble and grew them in pots to thwart the squirrels and so that I could enjoy their markings and appreciate their scent at close quarters. Unfortunately a very wet late summer and then the UK’s coldest December for a hundred years has resulted in several losses 😦 What a shame your nursery is not nearer. If you have not already come across it you might enjoy this website :http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/
January 24, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Anna, I am sorry about your snowdrops. I hope there is still a chance that they will come up. I have never had any problem with squirrels bothering my snowdrops. They are semi-poisonous so they don’t eat them, and they have never dug any up. Thanks for the website recommendation. A quick look now will be followed by more in depth reading. Carolyn
January 25, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Dear Carolyn, What a beautifully written and presented posting on this most beguiling of flowers. The fragile innocence of Snowdrops has always captivated me although I should not refer to myself as a Galanthophile. I agree that the great Snowdrop collectors and those who have Snowdrops named after them have such fascinating histories that it makes the study of this species so fascinating.
For my own part, I cannot think of Snowdrops without remembering a great friend of mine who held an annual Snowdrop party in February each year. After a super lunch and a brief talk we would all tour her garden admiring her marvellous Snowdrop collection. A perfect introduction to Spring and the new gardening year!!
Thank you so much for your very kind comment on my recent posting to which I have made reply.
January 25, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Edith, Thank you for your kind words. I think, to be a galanthophile, obsession and snowdrops have to go hand-in-hand. This is not necessarily a good thing as I just read on John Grimshaw’s blog that a new record was set for the price of a single snowdrop: 357 pounds or $563. That sale benefited a charity, but the same snowdrop at a UK nursery was 150 pounds or $237. Thank you for bringing up another aspect of snowdrops that makes them so fun. Snowdrop obsessing is a group activity in the UK with lunches, walks, weekends, and great snowdrop estates. I can’t wait for the US to catch up on this aspect. Maybe I will do a further article on snowdrop activities. Carolyn
January 25, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Carolyn, I can understand your obsession with Snowdrops. They are simple but beautiful flowers. I especially love the green and white combinations such as the ‘Blewbury Tart’ and ‘Ophelia.’
January 25, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Ramona, The double snowdrops are quite showy and beautiful. Carolyn
January 25, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I am blown away. I had no idea that there were so many different varieties of snowdrops. I would love to add some to my garden.
January 25, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Jennifer, It really is amazing when a country or culture really gets into a plant. In Japan, there are over 500 named cultivars of Japanese woodland primrose, Primula sieboldii. You should definitively try some snowdrops, but start with G. nivalis or G. elwesii—easy, inexpensive, and beautiful. Carolyn
January 25, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Interesting and lovely images, Carolyn. You have left my heart thumping with thoughts of spring 🙂
January 25, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Joey, With our sixth snow storm on the way, spring has been on my mind too. I do love the snow though. Carolyn
January 26, 2011 at 8:20 am
Beautiful flowers! I finally saw some at the garden center. I think I should get some for next year
January 26, 2011 at 8:52 am
Fer, You could easily plant them in a pot on your balcony that already has other plants that come up later. They don’t take up any room and provide great early interest. You may be able to find them at the garden center now and plant them. Let me know what happens. Are snowdrops popular in Japan? Carolyn
January 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Thanks for your comment about the mouse traps etc. I really appreciated what you said and I am so glad that people care enough to say something about this serious problem.
I love the snowdrops! Very beautiful!
January 26, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Thanks, Rosey. Click on Rosey’s name to read her post to find out about the dangers of poisoning mice. Carolyn
January 27, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Oh dear, you are really pushing my collector buttons with this post. I love your description of them as fishing rods — I definitely see it! I suspect that next fall I’ll be buying these bulbs willy nilly for the front lawn.
January 28, 2011 at 9:54 am
I am glad I have inspired you to try snowdrops. The more unusual varieties are only available mail order from me. Carolyn
February 2, 2011 at 10:16 am
Whenever I see a post like this, I am promptly consumed with galanthus-envy, as around here, we can only usually find 2-3 types: single, double, and large single. No fancies like you show here. I’m almost drooling on my computer’s keyboard…
February 2, 2011 at 10:45 am
Jodi, There really aren’t that many snowdrop cultivars available in the US, that’s why I started my mail order business. The best way for you to get unusual cultivars is to start looking for some local galanthophiles and trade with them. I am sure you have other plants they want. Many snowdrop collectors will be members of other specialized plant groups so you may be able to find them there. Carolyn
February 16, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Love your site – and as a native of England who lived not far from Brundall, please note that a correction should be made to your reference of Heyrick Greatorex’s location as Brundall, NORWALK, England.
It should be NORFOLK.
February 16, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Glad you enjoyed the site–curious how you found it. Thanks for the correction. I will fix it in the article. Carolyn
November 7, 2011 at 11:24 pm
Carolyn I have just read all your snowdrop articles and thoroughly enjoyed them. Can’t wait for your next snowdrop catalog. Between yours and Hitch Lyman’s catalog I will be broke come early spring. I better start budgeting now for snowdrop orders. You are so lucky to know so many plantsmen and gardens with such special treasures. Do you happen to also know John Lonsdale?
February 25, 2012 at 8:09 am
Would love your catalog. Is it possible to mail a copy yo me? My name is Vivian McDevitt 1 Norwich lane Southampton, new jersey 08088 thanks. I love your website
February 25, 2012 at 8:13 am
Vivian, I don’t have paper copies of the catalogue. It is on my website/blog right sidebar. Here is the link. Carolyn
February 17, 2013 at 12:03 am
February 17, 2013 at 9:21 am
This is an amazing book for a great price. If you want a snowdrop book, then I highly recommend it. Over three hundred very good photographs with a short description explaining what is special about the snowdrop cultivar. Follow the link.
March 8, 2013 at 6:15 pm
I spent my childhood in Romania loving the snowdrops(ghiocei)..I lIve in Texas…and miss them terrible!
March 8, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Oana, i have been getting a lot of emails from readers who are originally from Hungary or Romania and pine for snowdrops. Evidently, it was a tradition for gypsies to sell them on street corners. Snowdrops will grow in some parts of Texas. you should check into it. Carolyn