Galanthus x nivalis Primrose Warburg

Galanthus 'Primrose Warburg' is a snowdrop that stands out from the others in that yellow replaces green on its flower. The white flowers bear a yellow ovary at the base, just like the little spot that adorns the tip of the inner corolla. This colour on the bells often appears in the second year of cultivation. Slightly less vigorous than our classic snowdrop (G. nivalis), this hybrid is nevertheless considered one of the most beautiful in the 'yellow' category. It will eventually form pretty clumps that disappear with the first warm weather. It can also be forced in a pot for Christmas flowering. Plant it near the house to admire it up close.

Galanthus 'Primrose Warburg' is likely a hybrid between G. nivalis and G. plicatus. It was discovered in 1997 in the garden of the famous snowdrop collector Primrose Warburg at South Hayes, west London. It is an herbaceous perennial bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family. It forms a pretty clump measuring 13 to 15cm (5 to 6in) in height, composed of ribbon-shaped leaves that are strongly sheathed at the base. They are fairly dark green, often tinged with yellow, partially upright and partially arched, and sometimes folded back. In February-March, depending on the climate, one to two stems are produced by each bulb. They each bear a 2cm (1in) wide flower, carried outward from the clump and inclined towards the ground. The flowers consist of a yellow ovary at the base, from which 3 long swollen sepals emerge, covering a small central white corolla adorned with a small U-shaped yellow spot (not a V-shaped spot like in G. nivalis). The foliage yellows, then disappears at the end of spring. Snowdrops produce seeds, as well as numerous bulblets that allow them to spread over time. The dispersion of seeds is mainly carried out by ants.

Snowdrops convey an incredible power, as evidenced by the numerous legends associated with them; don't we say that spring is synonymous with the renewal of life? It will get along well with Crocus chrysanthus, hepatica, Christmas roses, and scilla. It will thrive in a moist rock garden, along with creeping bugle and a small and easy-to-grow fern called Blechnum penna-marina. These plants will occupy the space left by the snowdrops once their foliage has dried up, without suffocating the bulbs. It is ideal for light woodland, preceding the flowering of hellebores and corydalis. In cool climates, it tolerates sunny exposures at the edge of a border. It also grows very well in pots.