Galanthus 'Mr Taylor'

A particularly handsome and distinctive snowdrop from The Island, a plant border in the garden of the late Veronica Cross at Sutton Court, Herefordshire, the historic former garden of the Backhouse family. Selected by Veronica in 2019 and named for one of her dogs, ‘Mr Taylor’ is an early to mid-season flowering hybrid convolute with an unusually strong green character.

The flowers are beautifully poised, with white outer segments dramatically tipped and flushed with dark green towards the apex. The inner segments are even more striking, being almost entirely green, giving the flower a rich, dark centre framed by the crisp white of the outers. The foliage is convolute, and the combination of strongly marked flowers and distinctive foliage gives the plant considerable character.

‘Mr Taylor’ is one of a number of interesting snowdrops associated with The Island, where Veronica Cross selected a range of seedlings in her Herefordshire garden. It is a snowdrop that rewards close inspection: rather than relying simply on flower size, it combines good shape, strong green markings and convolute foliage to produce something immediately memorable. The name, taken from one of Veronica’s dogs, is an appropriately personal touch.

Cultivation: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade or deciduous woodland. Avoid prolonged summer drought and winter waterlogging. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering. Best planted where the flowers can be viewed closely, as the intense green markings are particularly effective at close quarters.

Flowering: January–February
Hardiness: H5, approximately −15 to −10°C
Height: 15–20cm
Spread: 10–15cm