Galanthus 'Bess'

RHS Plant Profile
snowdrop 'Bess'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Galanthus 'Bess'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Bulbs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
4 Suppliers

A vigorous perennial bulb, to around 18cm high, with narrow, grey-green leaves. Nodding white flowers are produced in late winter, with curving outer petals, and inner petals marked with a broad green inverted 'v' with upturned edges

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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. Thrives in part shade but will tolerate full sun as long as the soil is consistently moist. See snowdrop cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by division as the foliage dies back, or by twin scaling when bulbs are dormant. See bulb propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • 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 and swift moth caterpillar

Diseases

May be susceptible to snowdrop grey mould