Galanthus elwesii Hiemalis Group

RHS Plant Profile
greater snowdrop Hiemalis Group

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greater snowdrop Hiemalis Group Gordon Rae
greater snowdrop Hiemalis Group Gordon Rae

Synonyms

Galanthus elwesii 'Hiemalis'
Galanthus elwesii 'Hiemale'
Galanthus elwesii var. monostictus 'Hiemalis'
Galanthus caucasicus var. hiemalis Stern
Galanthus caucasicus early-flowering

Plants for pollinators
Bulbs

A bulbous, clump-forming perennial with broad, strap-shaped, glaucous leaves and flowers that are borne from late autumn into early winter. The relatively large, globular flowers have white outer segments and inner segments variably marked with green at the apex

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 South–facing or East–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 as the 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
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to narcissus bulb fly

Diseases

May be susceptible to snowdrop grey mould