Galanthus 'Erway'

A distinctive and rather statuesque snowdrop, immediately recognisable by its long, olive-green ovary, which can be almost as long as the inner segments and gives the flower an unusually elongated appearance. The inner segments are heavily suffused with green, often leaving only a relatively narrow white margin. The flowers hang close to the very upright stem, while the plant has a strong, neat habit and can occasionally produce two scapes from a bulb.

‘Erway’ was named for Erway Farm, the Ellesmere, Shropshire garden of the celebrated plantswoman Netta Statham. Statham’s garden became an important source of interesting plants and snowdrops, and the name therefore preserves a small piece of its horticultural history. The cultivar is sometimes encountered as ‘Erway Seedling’, but ‘Erway’ is the accepted cultivar name. 

Best grown in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade. Its distinctive flowers are particularly effective when viewed at close quarters.

● Hardy to at least H6 (-20 to -15°C).

● Height: 15–16cm; spread: 10–15cm.

● Flowers: January–February.

● Origin: Erway Farm, Ellesmere, Shropshire.

● Named for: Netta Statham’s garden at Erway Farm.

● Synonym: ‘Erway Seedling’.