Galanthus elwesii ‘X-Files’

One for the conspiracy theorists — although in this case there really is something going on. A vigorous and unusually early Galanthus elwesii selection from Phil Cornish, also known as ‘Early Bird’. It produces large, well-developed leaves at flowering time and neat, rounded flowers carried on strong stems.

The inner segments are the giveaway: a bold, sharply defined green X-shaped mark runs from the sinus towards the base, giving the flowers a particularly distinctive appearance. The outer segments are rounded and prominently ridged, adding substance to an already rather chunky snowdrop.

An excellent choice for extending the snowdrop season, generally flowering around mid-January, though in favourable years it can be considerably earlier.

Nomenclature: Galanthus ‘X-Files’
Synonym: ‘Early Bird’
Originator: Phil Cornish
Type: G. elwesii derivative
Hardiness: H5
Height: 15 cm
Spread: 10–15 cm
Flowers: January–February