Galanthus 'Spindlestone Surprise'

RHS Plant Profile

snowdrop 'Spindlestone Surprise'

Gordon Rae

Bulbs

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'Spindlestone Surprise' is a vigorous, clump-forming bulbous perennial with grey-green leaves and nodding flowers borne on stems to 30cm tall; each flower comprises pure white outer petals and white inner petals tipped with a yellow-green inverted 'U' shape and has a distinctive, bright yellow ovary

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
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 division when foliage dies back

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
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