Galanthus ‘Wendy’s Gold’

One of the most famous yellow snowdrops, Galanthus plicatus ‘Wendy’s Gold’ is a vigorous and distinctive selection with broad, grey-green, strongly plicate foliage and elegant white flowers carrying an unusually intense concentration of yellow. The ovary is yellow-green and the inner segments bear a long, prominent yellow marking extending over much of their length, sometimes developing a particularly rich golden colour in established plants. The combination of substantial flowers, characteristic plicatus foliage and strong yellow pigmentation makes ‘Wendy’s Gold’ one of the unmistakable classics of the yellow snowdrop collection.

Origin: Found at Wandlebury Ring near Cambridge, from the naturalised population of Galanthus plicatus growing there. The precise history of the discovery is somewhat unusual. Bill Clark, who became Wandlebury’s warden in 1973, is credited by Cambridge University Botanic Garden with first noticing the yellow-flowered plant in the early 1970s. More than a decade later, in 1985–86, Esther Sharman also noticed the unusual snowdrop while walking at Wandlebury and brought it to the attention of her son, Joe Sharman. Bill Clark subsequently gave Joe a bulb, while retaining another and giving further material to Cambridge University Botanic Garden. The clone was named ‘Wendy’s Gold’ after Clark’s wife, Wendy. The surviving Cambridge stock ultimately derives from this original material. (Cambridge University Botanic Garden⁠)

A strong garden plant: ‘Wendy’s Gold’ is deservedly regarded as one of the great yellow snowdrops, combining unusually strong yellow markings with good vigour and substantial flowers. It is particularly effective when allowed to establish into a mature clump, when the yellow colouring can become increasingly pronounced. The original stock was sent to the Netherlands for rapid multiplication by twin-scaling, but the entire commercial stock was subsequently lost to Botrytis. Fortunately, plants retained by Bill Clark, Joe Sharman and Cambridge University Botanic Garden survived, providing the foundation for the stock available today. 

In the garden: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade or an open position with good winter and early-spring light. Like other snowdrops, it should not be allowed to dry out during active growth, although drainage is important during summer dormancy. It is best left undisturbed once established, when the bulbs can build into substantial flowering clumps. Particularly effective beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where the broad plicate foliage and strongly marked flowers have considerable presence. 

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