Galanthus ‘Bryan Hewitt’

A particularly intriguing and unusually pure-white snowdrop, Galanthus ‘Bryan Hewitt’ was discovered in the Alpine meadow at Myddelton House, Enfield, and subsequently selected by the Head Gardener there. It was passed to Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery, who named it in honour of Bryan Hewitt, the gardener and historian who spent 34 years at Myddelton House and became closely associated with the history of E. A. Bowles and his remarkable garden. Bryan recalled that it was named for him around 2013. 

The flowers are the great attraction: six segments of pure, unmarked white, with the inner segments closely resembling the outer ones to produce a more or less poculiform flower — effectively a white cup within a cup. The segments are often slightly puckered and rather dumpy, giving the flowers a pleasingly substantial appearance. Avon Bulbs aptly described it as a “more or less poculiform miracle”. 

Its connection with Myddelton House makes the name particularly appropriate. E. A. Bowles was one of the great figures in the history of snowdrops, while Bryan Hewitt later wrote The Crocus King, his biography of Bowles. ‘Bryan Hewitt’ therefore carries a little piece of Myddelton House history in its name as well as in its provenance.

A choice plant for the collector of unusual white forms, this is not a snowdrop that relies on green markings or elaborate patterning for its appeal. Instead, its almost complete absence of colour is precisely what makes it remarkable. Established in a clump, the neat, white, poculiform flowers make an unusually clean and distinctive display.

Cultivation: Best grown in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, in light or dappled shade. Avoid prolonged summer drought and waterlogging.

Flowering: February–March.

Hardiness: H5 – fully hardy throughout the UK.

Height: 12–15 cm.

Spread: 10–15 cm.

Nomenclature: Galanthus plicatus ‘Bryan Hewitt’. The RHS currently accepts this combination. 

Origin: Discovered in the Alpine meadow at Myddelton House, Enfield; subsequently selected by the Head Gardener.

Named: By Joe Sharman in honour of Bryan Hewitt, approximately 2013.