Galanthus ‘Rosemary Burnham’

One of the finest and most distinctive virescent snowdrops, Galanthus elwesii ‘Rosemary Burnham’ produces substantial flowers in which the green colouring extends far beyond the usual inner-segment markings. The broad outer segments are beautifully streaked with pale green along the veins, while the inner segments are almost entirely deep green, narrowly edged in white. Combined with the broad, glaucous foliage typical of G. elwesii, the effect is exceptionally striking. A superb Canadian snowdrop with a fascinating history and deservedly treasured by collectors.

Origin: Found by Rosemary Burnham in the early 1960s, growing in the remains of an old house in a ravine in Burnaby, British Columbia, east of Vancouver. Burnham distributed bulbs to gardening friends before losing her own original clump. Don Armstrong subsequently investigated the plant with the RHS, established it as a distinct cultivar and named it ‘Rosemary Burnham’ in her honour. It was later brought into wider cultivation and became one of the best-known North American virescent G. elwesii. (AGC BC⁠)

In the garden: A particularly choice snowdrop for collectors, combining excellent vigour with outstanding green colouring. The broad green-streaked outers and dark green inners are best appreciated at close quarters. Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil beneath deciduous trees or shrubs, and allow established clumps to remain undisturbed. The flowers are also pleasantly scented, adding another dimension to this exceptional cultivar. 

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