Galanthus ‘Dionysus’

A magnificent double snowdrop with considerable presence, ‘Dionysus’ produces nodding flowers in which broad white outer segments surround a crowded rosette of up to 20 inner segments, heavily marked with green over as much as 60% of their length. The result is a wonderfully full, almost rose-like flower—quite a transformation from the usual three-and-three snowdrop arrangement. It can occasionally produce a second flowering stem carrying a single flower, adding an extra flourish to an already theatrical performance. 

Origin: A cultivar of the Greatorex double group, traditionally associated with the work of James Greatorex and his family. Its exact individual history is somewhat muddled in horticultural literature, with the cultivar also appearing under the names Galanthus greatorex ‘Dionysus’, G. corcyrensis ‘Dionysus’ and ‘Sybil Roberts’. 

In the garden: A strong-growing, clump-forming snowdrop that deserves a position where its unusually packed flowers can be inspected at close quarters. Like other snowdrops, it prefers moist, humus-rich but well-drained soil and partial shade, particularly beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. 

Height: 15–20cm
Spread: 15–25cm
Flowering: February–March
Hardiness: H5 (−15 to −10°C)
Aspect: Sun or partial shade
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained