Galanthus woronowii 'Elizabeth Harrison'

One of the most remarkable yellow-marked snowdrops, Galanthus woronowii ‘Elizabeth Harrison’ is distinguished by its combination of the species’ characteristic glossy, mid- to dark-green foliage with a yellow ovary, yellow pedicel and small yellow markings flanking the sinus of the inner segments. The flowers are elegant rather than heavily coloured, with the yellow concentrated in the areas where it shows to particularly good effect against the white segments. The relatively long pedicels allow the flowers to dangle freely above the foliage, while the robust habit and good increase make this much more than simply a collector’s curiosity. It remains one of the most significant yellow forms of G. woronowii. 

Origin: A single unusual plant was found by Elizabeth Harrison in her garden at Inchture, Perthshire, growing within a colony of Galanthus woronowii in which the other plants had normal green markings. Harrison exhibited the plant at the Dunblane Early Bulb Show on 20 February 2010, where it received a Certificate of Preliminary Commendation from the RHS Joint Rock Garden Plant Committee. The plant was subsequently propagated, and Ian Christie exhibited multiplied material to the Committee in 2012, when it was recommended for an Award of Merit. Christie subsequently named and introduced the selection as ‘Elizabeth Harrison’. (SRGC)

A famous snowdrop: ‘Elizabeth Harrison’ achieved almost unprecedented notoriety in February 2012 when a single bulb was offered on eBay and purchased by Thompson & Morgan in a fiercely contested auction. Ian Christie subsequently recorded the final price as £725.25, describing it as a new world record for a snowdrop bulb. The contemporary SRGC report records the sale at £725.10, the small discrepancy presumably reflecting the different recorded auction totals, but both sources agree that the bulb established a new record price. The event brought ‘Elizabeth Harrison’ considerable international attention and made it one of the most famous snowdrops of the modern era. 

In the garden: A strong-growing and increasing clone when established, ‘Elizabeth Harrison’ is best grown in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade or an open position with good winter and early-spring light. The glossy green foliage is particularly attractive and provides an excellent foil for the yellow markings. Like other snowdrops, it should not be allowed to dry out during active growth, while good drainage should be maintained during summer dormancy. Its relatively long pedicels make the flowers particularly effective when viewed at close quarters. 

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