Galanthus elwesii

Giant snowdrop is a deciduous perennial bulb in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). It is a native of the Balkans, western Turkey, Macedonia and northern Greece. The genus name Galanthus comes from the Greek words for milk (gala) and flower (anthos) because the flower is always white. The species is named for English botanist and naturalist Henry John Elwes (1846-1922). 

It grows easily in moist, well-drained, hummus-rich soils in full sun to partial shade. This flower naturalizes readily through self-seeding and bulb offsets and can grow into large colonies. It prefers cooler climates and may be short-lived when grown south of USDA Zone 7. The plant requires less than 12 inches of space and can be planted 3 to 4 inches apart. Plant bulbs 5 inches deep in the fall. This flower thrives in that difficult-to-grow location under deciduous trees, because it receives full sun in the early spring. When the trees leaf out in the heat of summer, the shade then protects the plant. Leaves should be left to yellow on spent bulbs because they provide nutrients for the next year's bloom. The dead leaves eventually fall off by themselves as the bulbs go dormant for the summer. The plant is deer resistant.

The giant snowdrop grows up to a foot in height, and its large, solitary, white flowers are about 2 inches wide. The flowers appear on naked stems in late winter to early spring, poking above the snow if it is present. Giant snowdrop gets its name because its flowers and leaves are larger than the similar common snowdrop (G. nivalis).

Display it where it can naturalize in large drifts such as in woodland margins, meadows or in lawns under large deciduous trees. It can also be mass planted or in small groups among other early flowering bulbs in rock gardens, along paths or in front of shrubs. Use it also in cottage, pollinator and winter gardens.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.