Galanthus elwesii 'Chiltern Doppelgänger'

A distinctive Paul Barney selection from the same population near Brightwell Baldwin, beneath the Chilterns, that produced ‘Chiltern Queens’. Its name refers to its unusual tendency to produce two flowers on a single scape, rather than the normal solitary flower, giving each stem the appearance of a floral double act. The paired flowers are carried together above the foliage, creating a particularly generous display from each scape.

Selected for this unusual and reliably recognisable flowering habit, ‘Chiltern Doppelgänger’ is an intriguing example of the variation found within established garden populations of Galanthus. Its shared provenance with ‘Chiltern Queens’ makes the two cultivars particularly interesting when grown alongside one another.

Cultivation: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial or dappled shade. Excellent beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. Avoid prolonged summer drought and allow the foliage to mature and die back naturally.

Flowering: February–March
Hardiness: H5, approximately −15 to −10°C
Height: 15–20cm
Spread: 10–15cm