Galanthus nivalis ‘Nova Gorica'

A particularly fine virescent form of Galanthus nivalis, selected from the extraordinary natural variation of Slovenian snowdrops by Dr Jože Bavcon of the Ljubljana Botanic Garden. ‘Nova Gorica’ is named for the Slovenian city of Nova Gorica and was formally entered on the Slovenian National List of Varieties in 2018, as GAN002. It is one of a number of named G. nivalis forms selected by Bavcon from wild Slovenian populations. 

The important point about ‘Nova Gorica’ is that it is truly virescent, rather than simply possessing the occasional green fleck or green tip. Green pigmentation extends into the normally white portions of the flower, giving the whole bloom a distinctly green-washed appearance. It is one of the forms Bavcon particularly highlights when discussing the remarkable floral variation found in Slovenian G. nivalis. Better still, it is an excellent clumper, with the Ljubljana Botanic Garden describing it as exceptionally good at vegetative multiplication and a reliably free-flowering plant.

The name may sound reassuringly straightforward, but the plant itself is anything but ordinary. Slovenia’s common snowdrop is a remarkably variable species, and ‘Nova Gorica’ represents one of the more horticulturally exciting expressions of that variation: green where a snowdrop normally insists upon being white, but without the hybridising gymnastics required to achieve the effect. It is a particularly good choice for anyone wanting a genuinely virescent nivalis that also has the good manners to make a decent clump.

Cultivation: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade, ideally beneath deciduous trees or shrubs. Keep plants reasonably moist while in active growth and avoid prolonged summer drought. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering. An excellent choice for naturalising and for planting where the subtle green suffusion of the flowers can be appreciated at close quarters.

Flowering: February–March

Hardiness: H5, approximately −15 to −10°C

Height: 10–15cm

Spread: 10–15cm