Galanthus elwesii 'Mandarin'
A perennial bulb, to around 15cm high, with narrow, grey-green leaves. Nodding white flowers are produced in late winter, with a light green ovary, and spreading outer petals that lift upwards in sunny conditions. Inner petals are marked with an upside down green 'v' at the tip, and two very pale blotches near the base
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver White |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
- 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
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