Galanthus ‘Moses Basket’

One of the most immediately recognisable forms of Galanthus elwesii, ‘Moses Basket’ is a remarkable snowdrop with an unusually long, narrow ovary and a distinctive heart-shaped flower. The broad outer segments are strongly shouldered and, as the plant becomes established, curve inward to embrace the inner segments, producing an extraordinary open basket-like effect. The inner segments carry two small, pale green marks which appear almost like a pair of eyes peering from within the flower. The combination of the long ovary, unusual flower architecture and characteristic ‘eyes’ makes ‘Moses Basket’ almost impossible to confuse with any other snowdrop.

Origin: A seedling originating at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire and introduced as a distinctive form of Galanthus elwesii. It was discovered in 2004 by David Jordan, then Assistant Head Gardener at Anglesey Abbey. The plant was named ‘Moses Basket’ for the resemblance of its unusual flower to the basket in which the infant Moses was placed. 

A strong garden plant: ‘Moses Basket’ is both an excellent collector’s snowdrop and a surprisingly substantial garden plant, reaching around 25cm when well established. Its unusual flower form is particularly impressive as the bulbs mature, when the outer segments develop their characteristic inward curve and almost enclose the green-marked inner segments. The long glaucous foliage adds further presence, making this one of the larger and more architectural forms of G. elwesii. 

In the garden: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade or an open position with good winter light. G. elwesii is tolerant of brighter conditions than many woodland snowdrops, provided it does not become excessively dry during active growth. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering and avoid unnecessary disturbance while the clump establishes; ‘Moses Basket’ can take a year or more to settle before displaying its characteristic flower form fully. Particularly effective beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where the unusual flowers can be viewed at close quarters. 

Height: 20–25cm
Spread: 10–15cm
Flowering: January–February
Hardiness: H5 (−15 to −10°C)
Aspect: Partial shade to sun
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BASKETS ARE NOT ALWAYS PRODUCED IN THE FIRST SEASON AFTER PLANTING. AND A SINGLE BULB MIGHT PRODUCE SCAPES WITH THE BASKET AND SOME WITHOUT.