Overview
Galanthus is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Galanthus, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with green, grey, silver foliage. Galanthus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, patio and container plants, rock garden, cottage and informal garden, low maintenance, banks and slopes, garden edging, underplanting of roses and shrubs and flower borders and beds.
About
Galanthus, or snowdrop, is a small genus of approximately 20 species of bulbous perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. The plants have two linear leaves and a single small white drooping bell-shaped flower with six petal-like (petaloid) tepals in two circles (whorls).
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Galanthus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Galanthus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Green, Grey, Silver
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Garden edging, Underplanting of roses and shrubs, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Galanthus
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Narcissus bulb fly
- Disease resistance
- Snowdrop grey mould
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Galanthus?
Galanthus prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Galanthus need?
Galanthus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Galanthus hardy in the UK?
Galanthus has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Galanthus?
Seed, Division.
More in the Galanthus genus
- Galanthus alpinus var. alpinusCaucasian snowdrop
- Galanthus elwesii 'Byrkley'
- Galanthus elwesii 'Cinderdine'greater snowdrop 'Cinderdine'
- Galanthus elwesii 'Cross Eyes'
- Galanthus elwesii 'Kencot Kali'
- Galanthus elwesii 'Mount Everest'
- Galanthus elwesii 'Snow Fox'
- Galanthus elwesii 'Streets Ahead'