Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis ‘Blue Peter’

A particularly distinctive and floriferous form of Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis, ‘Blue Peter’ was selected and named by John Morley of North Green Snowdrops. It is an especially handsome plant, distinguished not simply by its flowers but by its remarkable foliage, which is an unusually deep blue-green and carries a strong silver-blue midrib. The leaves tend to lie almost flat against the ground while the flower stems rise conspicuously upright above them, giving the plant an unmistakable appearance even before the flowers are fully open.

The flowers are long and elegantly pointed, held on notably upright scapes. The inner segments carry a strong green marking, while the combination of crisp white flowers and intensely coloured foliage makes a particularly striking display. It is also exceptionally floriferous, producing a good succession of flowers and making an impressive sight when established in a clump.

As a spring-flowering member of subsp. vernalis, ‘Blue Peter’ flowers considerably later than the autumn-flowering forms of G. reginae-olgae, generally appearing around the turn of the year. Its willingness to flower freely, coupled with its unusual foliage, makes it a particularly useful plant for the serious collection — and one that is recognisable from across the garden, which is not something every snowdrop can claim.

Cultivation: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in sun or light to dappled shade. Good light helps maintain the characteristic blue-green foliage, while adequate moisture during active growth encourages strong flowering. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering.

Flowering: December–January

Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK; approximately H5

Height: 18 cm

Spread: 10–15 cm

Nomenclature: Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis ‘Blue Peter’