Galanthus ‘Elmley Lovatt’

A particularly handsome probable Galanthus elwesii × G. nivalis hybrid, found and named by the distinguished galanthophile Olive Mason, after the Worcestershire village of Elmley Lovett. The flowers are large and well formed, with broad, boldly diffused green X-marking on the inner segments, combining the substantial flower of elwesii with the character of nivalis. It is an interesting example of the old-fashioned garden hybrids that can easily be mistaken for either parent at first glance. Avon Bulbs lists it as flowering around 25 January and specifically notes the probable hybrid origin. 

The RHS currently treats the name as unresolved and lists it as Galanthus elwesii ‘Elmley Lovett’, while specialist sources generally regard it as a hybrid. 

• Hardiness: H5, -15 to -10°C
• Height: c. 15 cm
• Spread: 10–15 cm
• Flowers: January–February
• Origin: Found and named by Olive Mason
• Provenance: Elmley Lovett, Worcestershire
• Type: Probably G. elwesii × G. nivalis
• Flower: Large, with a bold, diffuse green X on the inner segments. 

Nomenclature: The spelling is ‘Elmley Lovett’ — Lovett being the historic family name incorporated into the Worcestershire place-name.