Galanthus nivalis ‘Gwen’

A charming modern selection of the common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis ‘Gwen’ is a neat and delicate green-tipped form selected from Galanthus nivalis ‘Scharlockii’. It retains the characteristic slender, grey-green foliage of this unusual form, with small, well-proportioned flowers and distinctive green-tipped outer segments. The inner segments carry the familiar green inverted-V marking, while the restrained colouring and relatively delicate proportions give ‘Gwen’ a particularly elegant appearance. It is a fine example of the understated beauty that can be found in carefully selected forms of G. nivalis Scharlockii.

Origin: Selected and introduced by Richard Bashford and Valerie Bexley of Woodchippings, Brackley, around 2015. ‘Gwen’ was selected from Galanthus nivalis ‘Scharlockii’ for its short, delicate habit and attractive green-tipped flowers, and has subsequently become established as one of their recognised introductions.

A strong garden plant: ‘Gwen’ is valued less for size or extravagance than for its delicate proportions and clean green tipping. Its Scharlockii ancestry gives it additional interest for collectors, while its relatively small stature makes it particularly suitable for the front of a snowdrop bed or naturalising amongst short grasses and woodland-edge planting. Like its parent form, it is capable of forming good flowering clumps when established and left undisturbed.

In the garden: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade, ideally beneath deciduous trees and shrubs where winter and early-spring light is plentiful. Keep the soil reasonably moist while the bulbs are actively growing but avoid waterlogging during summer dormancy. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering and avoid unnecessary disturbance once established. Particularly good for naturalising in grass, beneath deciduous shrubs or towards the front of a dedicated snowdrop collection.

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