Galanthus x valentinei ‘Midas’

A genuinely remarkable yellow snowdrop, ‘Midas’ has the ability to turn its markings from green to brilliant golden yellow as the flowers mature—particularly in good light. Yellow appears on both the inner and outer tepals, while the ovary remains green, creating a striking three-colour effect. It is a plant that quite literally changes before your eyes, hence the name. 

Origin: Discovered by Alan Street of Avon Bulbs in 2011, as a self-sown seedling in the nursery’s woodland Copse at Mid Lambrook, Somerset. Street recognised it as something special but kept the single plant discreetly hidden beneath an upturned terracotta pot while visiting galanthophiles were at the nursery! It was finally released commercially in 2018, once sufficient stock had been built up. 

In the garden: A vigorous and increasingly free-flowering snowdrop once established, with the yellow colouring strongest in sunshine. Its ability to colour-change as the flower ages makes it particularly rewarding for collectors—and an excellent excuse to keep going back for another look.

Height: 15–25cm
Spread: 15–25cm
Flowering: February–March
Hardiness: H5 (−15 to −10°C)
Aspect: Partial shade to sun
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained

• Nomenclature note: ‘Midas’ is generally regarded as a hybrid, probably Galanthus × valentinei