Galanthus nivalis ‘Funny Justine’

A rather charming and highly distinctive Belgian snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis ‘Funny Justine’ is a compact double with an unusual upright, almost self-supporting flower. The stiffly upright, hooded leaves present the bloom beautifully, while the flowers open at less than 10cm high and are initially so neatly arranged that they can appear almost single. The three outer segments carry light green markings, while the tightly packed inner segments are heavily marked, often appearing almost entirely green. The result is a refined little snowdrop with considerable personality. 

Origin: Found by Belgian galanthophile and plantswoman Cathy Portier at her family nursery near Bruges, Belgium, and named for her daughter Justine, who was still a young child at the time. The name reflects Justine’s cheerful, lively character. The plant became one of Cathy Portier’s particularly favoured snowdrops and was subsequently distributed through specialist collections. 

A strong garden plant: ‘Funny Justine’ is valued for its unusual upright flowers and compact habit rather than sheer size. The combination of pale green outer markings and densely green-marked inners makes it immediately recognisable, while the flowers’ tendency to face upwards allows the markings to be appreciated particularly well. It is an excellent collector’s snowdrop and a charming addition to the front of a snowdrop bed.

In the garden: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade or an open position with good winter light. Keep moist during active growth but avoid waterlogging during summer dormancy. Its compact habit makes it particularly effective towards the front of a collection, beneath deciduous shrubs or naturalised amongst short grasses.

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