Galanthus elwesii “Mrs Macnamara”

This snowdrop is named after Mrs Yvonne Macnamara who gave examples of the snowdrop to Richard Nutt and Chris Brickell, it is not named after Dylan Thomas’ mother Mrs McNamara – so there is often confusion over the spelling.

It is a tall, bold, elegant snowdrop that flowers fairly early here, usually just after Christmas, but will continue to flower for a long time, well into late January.

Upon taking a couple of blooms to a talk on snowdrops at a local gardening club, I discovered what a beautiful powerful scent it has. Out in the garden I had never noticed it, but cut and put in a small vase in a warm room, it really packs a punch.

What will you receive?

Depending on the time of year, you will receive either a:dormant bulbs, b:newly sprouting bulbs, c:snowdrops in flower, d:snowdrops “in the green”

The snowdrop is currently growing in its own pot and may or may not have bulb-lets attached, we do not separate these off – they will be included with the main bulb.

All bulbs will have most of the compost removed prior to posting – this minimises damage in posting and reduces weight so we can keep postage costs low.

The bulb will be wrapped in damp tissue/kitchen roll and plastic film, then boxed.

Please pot up or plant out as soon as you receive it.

Planting Tips

Dig a hole to the depth that the bulb was previous planted (where the leaves change from white to green) or slightly deeper, pop in the bulb, and firm the soil back around the bulb to ensure no air-pockets.

If your soil is prone to water logging incorporate plenty of grit or sand to the area around the bulbs as well as the planting hole.

If your soil is sandy and exceptionally free draining then mix leaf-mould or compost into the area around the bulbs as well as the planting hole.

If your borders are visited regularly by voles or moles, then we recommend planting in pond baskets so that the bulbs are neither lifted onto the surface of the soil, or buried too deep by their soil excavating habits.