Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Lady Elphinstone' (d)
snowdrop 'Lady Elphinstone'
'Lady Elphinstone' is a bulbous perennial, to 12cm tall, with narrow, grey-green leaves and solitary, nodding, fragrant, double white flowers, the inner segments lightly-marked with greenish-yellow
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter | Green Yellow White | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Galanthus are dwarf bulbous perennials with linear or strap-shaped leaves, and solitary, often honey-scented, nodding flowers with 3 white outer tepals and 3 smaller inner ones often marked with green
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer in sun or partial shade. See snowdrop cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in an open frame when ripe or divide when foliage dies back. Seed may not come true
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Banks and slopes
- Ground cover
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to narcissus bulb fly
Diseases
May be susceptible to snowdrop grey mould
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.