The common and double snowdrops
are established all over the garden with
the main concentration under the trees
off the East Lawn.
G. ‘Atkinsii' are located
near the statue of Diana and G. ‘Magnet'
can be found under the Prunus serula in
the Temple Garden.
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
G. nivalis (common Snowdrop) is a perennial to 15cm, with narrow, grey-green leaves and solitary, nodding, fragrant white flowers 2.5cm in length, the inner segments marked with green at the tip. G. nivalis floraplena is the double variety of the common Snowdrop
G. ‘Atkinsii' was introduced from Italy in the 1870s it is a vigorous hybrid of the snowdrop family with large narrow-petalled flowers in the characteristic hanging-claw. At 20cm (8”) it is taller, with larger flowers, than the common snowdrop (G. nivalis), which can be seen a short distance away.
G. ‘Magnet' grows to 25cm in height, with narrow, glaucous leaves and solitary nodding white flowers, borne on slender, arching pedicels in late winter and early spring, the inner segments with V-shaped green mark.
Site and Care: Snowdrops like any type of moist soil with plenty of humus. They do not like hot, dry positions preferring part shade and are ideal under deciduous shrubs or trees where the soil is moist in spring. 'In the green' plants are easier to establish than bulbs but it is probably best to do this as the foliage starts to die back. Seed might not come true. Plant them 3-4" apart, really quite deeply. Left undisturbed they soon make a good clump.
© National Trust, Hinton Ampner 2013