Galanthus woronowii

A wonderfully fresh-looking snowdrop, Galanthus woronowii is immediately distinguished from many of its relatives by its broad, glossy, bright-green leaves. Rather than the glaucous foliage of G. elwesii or the narrow leaves of G. nivalis, its leaves look almost varnished—an excellent foil for the delicate, nodding white flowers. The inner segments carry a neat green mark, while the flowers appear from late winter into early spring. 

Range: North-eastern Türkiye through Georgia and the western and central Caucasus, generally from lowlands to around 1,400m. It grows in woodland margins, scrub, rocky places, screes and along riverbanks, sometimes even rooting in moss on fallen trees. 

In the garden: An easy and useful species, particularly good for naturalising beneath deciduous trees. Give it moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil that does not dry out in summer. Its glossy green foliage makes a particularly pleasing contrast with the more usual grey-green snowdrops. 

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