Galanthus 'Mrs W. M. George'

For many gardeners snowdrops herald the end of winter. They're extraordinarily hardy, and can be relied on to flower very early in the season. The colder and gloomier the weather, the longer the blooms last, but in a sunny warm spring they are comparatively fleeting.

Named after the wife of the Head Gardener at Hilliers Nursery, Galanthus ‘Mrs W. M. George’ is a particularly tall snowdrop, growing to around 30cm in height. It has large mid-season flowers, with a lovely fragrance. Currently rare, Galanthus ‘Mrs W. M. George’ is hard to buy, but vast swathes may be seen at The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire.

For best results grow snowdrops in heavy soil in partial shade. Divide clumps after flowering and plant 'in the green' rather than as bare bulbs in autumn.