Galanthus ‘Cowhouse Green’

A remarkably attractive and historically important virescent snowdrop, Galanthus ‘Cowhouse Green’ was discovered by Mark Brown in the garden of Susan Cowdy in Buckinghamshire during the 1980s. It was growing amongst a mixed planting of Galanthus nivalis and G. plicatus, and is therefore generally regarded as being of hybrid origin, although its precise parentage has never been established. The plant was subsequently propagated and made its public debut when shown by David Bromley in 1994. 

The flowers are single and rather tall, with a particularly delicate, ghostly quality. The outer segments are suffused and finely lined with pale green over much of their lower surface, rather than merely carrying a neat green tip. The inner segments have a diffuse pale-green basal marking, giving the flower an unusually soft and translucent appearance. This extensive green colouring is what places ‘Cowhouse Green’ firmly among the virescent snowdrops. 

For its time ‘Cowhouse Green’ was something of a revelation, appearing when virescent snowdrops were still comparatively unusual and helping to fuel the enthusiasm for snowdrops carrying green over the outer segments. It remains an attractive example of the type: less brash than some of the modern heavily marked cultivars, but with a subtlety that becomes particularly apparent when the flowers are viewed close up.

A scarce and relatively slow-increasing snowdrop, but one with considerable historical importance. There is also something rather pleasing about its name: despite all the excitement surrounding green snowdrops, ‘Cowhouse Green’ sounds as though it ought to have been discovered behind a cowshed rather than in a Buckinghamshire garden. Actually it was named for the adjoining field called Cowhouse Field.

Cultivation: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade or deciduous woodland. Do not allow the soil to become excessively dry in summer. A good choice for a collection of virescent snowdrops, where the pale green outer segments are best appreciated at close quarters. 

Flowering: February–March

Hardiness: H5, approximately −15 to −10°C

Height: 15–20cm

Spread: 10–15cm