Galanthus ‘Diggory’

One of the great modern snowdrops, ‘Diggory’ is immediately recognisable by its large, heavily puckered outer tepals, which balloon outwards before curling inward at the tips to create an almost lantern-like flower. The crinkled, seersucker texture is quite extraordinary, while the inner segments are green-flushed with white tips. The broad, grey-green, pleated foliage reflects its Galanthus plicatus heritage.

Origin: Found in a population of G. plicatus near Wells, Norfolk, in 1993 by Rosie Steele and Richard Hobbs, and named for Rosie Steele’s late son, Diggory Birtles. It was subsequently selected and propagated as one of the most distinctive forms of G. plicatus.

In the garden: A vigorous, long-lived snowdrop that makes a good clump when happy. Particularly effective planted where its unusually sculptural flowers can be viewed at close quarters. Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Height: 15–20cm
Spread: 10–15cm
Flowering: January–March
Hardiness: H5 (−15 to −10°C)
Aspect: Sun or partial shade
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained

• Nomenclature note: The RHS currently lists it as Galanthus plicatus ‘Diggory’, with Galanthus ‘Diggory’ as a synonym. Although discovered within a population of G. plicatus, some specialist sources have treated its precise parentage more cautiously.