Giant Snowdrop Galanthus elwesii

Giant snowdrop is a bulbous perennial in the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family.  It has 2-3 strap-shaped, basal leaves and large solitary white flowers.  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). The genus name Galanthus comes from the Greek words for milk (gala) and flower (anthos).  The species is in namesake to 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.  They thrive in that difficult to grow location under deciduous trees because they receive full sun in the early spring and then when the trees leaf out it protects the plants in the heat of summer. 

It naturalizes easily through self-seeding and bulb offsets which can grow into large colonies but it prefers cooler climates and may be short-lived when grown south of Zone 7.  Plant 0 to 2 inches apart and 5 inches deep in the fall.  Leaves should be left to yellow on spent bulbs as they are providing nutrients for next year's bloom.  The dead leaves eventually fall off themselves as the bulbs go dormant for the summer.

Display them where they can naturalize in large drifts such as woodland margins or in lawns under large deciduous trees. However, they can also be planted among other early flowering bulbs in rock gardens, along walks or paths, or in front of shrubs.

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