Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis

RHS Plant Profile

Queen Olga's spring snowdrop

Gordon Rae

Synonyms

Galanthus corcyrensis spring-flowering

Bulbs

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A perennial bulb, to around 15cm high, with linear, dull green leaves each with a central greyish stripe. Nodding, faintly scented white flowers are produced in late winter and early spring, with inner petals marked with a green 'v' at the tips

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

Fragrance Flower

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: Correct
Plant Range: Balkans, Sicily

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