Galanthus ‘Trympostor’

A wonderfully distinctive member of the Trym family, ‘Trympostor’ has the characteristic pagoda-like, inverse-poculiform flowers in which the outer segments resemble inner segments. The outer tepals flare outward and then curl upwards, giving the flowers a charming “pixie hat” appearance, with bold dark-green markings mirrored on the inner segments. It is also notably shorter, earlier and more vigorous than its famous parent—an impostor, perhaps, but a rather successful one. 

Origin: A seedling of ‘Trym’ selected by Alan Street at Avon Bulbs. It was first shown at the RHS in Vincent Square in 2011, where it received a Preliminary Commendation, and was subsequently introduced by Avon Bulbs. 

In the garden: An excellent clumper, combining the remarkable Trym flower shape with considerably more vigour. It prefers moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil that does not dry out excessively in summer.

Height: 15–20cm
Spread: 15–25cm
Flowering: January–February
Hardiness: H5 (−15 to −10°C)
Aspect: Sun or partial shade
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained

• Nomenclature note: The RHS accepts Galanthus plicatus ‘Trympostor’. The name is frequently misspelled ‘Trymposter’, but ‘Trympostor’ is the correct cultivar spelling. One of Alan's favourite snowdrop fair pass times was to go round and correct all the mispelled snowdrop labels of other stall holders!