Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus ‘Hambutt's Orchard'

A charming old double snowdrop with a particularly interesting Gloucestershire connection. The many narrow inner segments form a full, slightly informal rosette within the rounded white outer segments, with green markings adding definition to the centre. A traditional G. nivalis double, but one with considerably more history than its modest appearance might suggest.

‘Hambutt’s Orchard’ was found by Herbert Ransom around 1968 in the garden of Brigadier and Mrs Mathias at Stroud, Gloucestershire. Hambutts Orchard was the home of Brigadier and Mrs Mathias, and the cultivar’s name commemorates the property and its associated orchard. The snowdrop has long been associated in specialist literature with other green-marked G. nivalis doubles, particularly ‘Pusey Green Tips’ and ‘Wendover Green Tip’, between which there has been considerable historical confusion. Careful clonal identification is therefore important.

A lovely old-fashioned snowdrop for naturalising beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. Best grown in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade, where established clumps can be left undisturbed.

● Hardy to at least H6 (-20 to -15°C).

● Height: 12–15cm; spread: 10–15cm.

● Flowers: January–February.

● Classification: Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus.

● Origin: Found by Herbert Ransom around 1968 in the garden of Brigadier and Mrs Mathias at Hambutts Orchard, Stroud, Gloucestershire.