Galanthus nivalis ‘Glauconite’

A particularly deep and striking virescent snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis ‘Glauconite’ is a selected seedling from a deliberate cross between ‘Nova Gorica’ and ‘Green Tear’, made at Edulis Nursery. Among the resulting seedlings it quickly distinguished itself for the intensity and depth of its green pigmentation, and was selected as one of our best virescent forms.

The flowers carry an unusually strong green suffusion, extending well beyond the conventional green marking found in many Galanthus cultivars. Rather than simply having green-tipped inner segments, ‘Glauconite’ has a much more pervasive green character, giving the flowers an unmistakably virescent appearance. The depth of colour can vary somewhat with growing conditions and season, but at its best it is exceptionally dark and richly green.

Its name comes from the mineral glauconite, an iron- and potassium-rich member of the mica group renowned for its characteristic green to blue-green colour. The comparison is particularly apt: this is a snowdrop for those who like their snowdrops distinctly greener than nature originally intended.

A vigorous and rewarding garden plant, ‘Glauconite’ should make an excellent clump in time, with the deliberate parentage combining the distinctive qualities of ‘Nova Gorica’ and ‘Green Tear’. It represents exactly the sort of purposeful hybridisation that can push virescence considerably further than chance selection alone.

Cultivation: Plant in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, preferably in light or dappled shade. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering and avoid prolonged summer drought.

Flowering: February–March.

Hardiness: H5 – fully hardy throughout the UK.

Height: 12–15 cm.

Spread: 10–15 cm.