Galanthus elwesii 'Godfrey Owen' (d)
greater snowdrop 'Godfrey Owen'
A bulbous perennial with grey-green leaves and white flowers on stems around 20cm tall. It has 6, pure white, symmetrical outer petals which open to give a wide, lamp-shade-like form over 6 inner petals, each of which bears a green apical mark that divides across the petal tip
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter | Green White | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Galanthus are dwarf bulbous perennials with linear or strap-shaped leaves, and solitary, often honey-scented, nodding flowers with 3 white outer tepals and 3 smaller inner ones often marked with green
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer in sun or partial shade. See snowdrop cultivation for further information.
Propagation
Propagate by division when foliage dies back. Seed may not come true
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to narcissus bulb fly
Diseases
May be susceptible to snowdrop grey mould
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.