Galanthus ‘Shropshire Queen’

A particularly vigorous and floriferous snowdrop, ‘Shropshire Queen’ is a bold, early-flowering selection with the classic elegance of ‘Sam Arnott’ but noticeably more vigour and a significantly earlier flowering period. It produces good-sized, single white flowers on strong stems, quickly forming impressive clumps. A very garden-worthy snowdrop whose combination of earliness, vigour and reliable flowering makes it particularly useful for naturalising.

Origin: Selected and named by the late Simon Savage (1965–2012), a Shropshire plantsman and keen galanthophile. It was associated with his garden at Church Farm, Wrockwardine, Shropshire, where he selected and introduced a number of snowdrops. ‘Shropshire Queen’ was noted for its resemblance to ‘Sam Arnott’, but for being exceptionally vigorous and flowering around two weeks earlier. (John Grimshaw)

In the garden: An excellent choice where a substantial display is wanted early in the snowdrop season. Particularly good for naturalising beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where its vigour allows it to build large clumps relatively quickly. Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil and leave undisturbed once established.

Height: 15–20cm
Spread: 15–20cm
Flowering: January–February
Hardiness: H5 (−15 to −10°C)
Aspect: Partial shade to sun
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained