Galanthus elwesii
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chianthemum elwesii
- Phonetic Spelling
- guh-LAN-thus el-WEZ-ee-eye
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This variety is commonly called giant snowdrop because its flowers and leaves are larger than the similar common snowdrop (G. nivalis). It is a bulbous perennial with 2-3 strap-shaped, basal leaves. It grows solitary flowers on naked stems, each 6-parted and white with inner segments that have a terminal green mark. It blooms in February-March, even if snow is present.
It grows easily in well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. More moisture is needed if grown in partial shade; it grows particularly well under deciduous trees. It prefers cooler climates and may be short-lived when grown south of Zone 7; however, it is damaged if the temperature is below 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It naturalizes easily through self-seeding and bulb offsets which can grow into large colonies, even up to 400 square feet. Plant 0-2 in. apart, 60-400 per sq. ft., 5 in. to base of the bulb.
They are best displayed in areas where they can naturalize, such as open woodland areas, woodland margins or in lawns under large deciduous trees. However, they can also be planted in rock gardens, along walks or paths, or in front of shrubs.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Galanthus
- Species:
- elwesii
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Balkans, western Turkey
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Tolerates deer, clay soil, black walnut trees
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- A solitary, pendulous, bell-shaped white flower, held on a slender pedicel. 6-parted, white but with inner segments that have a terminal green mark.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Each bulb generally produces two to three linear, or very narrowly lanceolate, greyish-green leaves from its base.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Rock Wall
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans