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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late winter, Mid winter. Form: Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Galanthus is a BULB growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from January to June, in flower from February to March, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

The plant is emmenagogue[4].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Prefers a moist heavy loam[108], growing well in grass or amongst shrubs[1]. Prefers a shady position[28, 31]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[214]. A very ornamental plant[1], it grows well on the woodland edge[24]. The bulbs should be planted about 5 - 7cm deep as early in the spring as possible[1]. A good bee plant, providing an early source of pollen and nectar[108]. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Fragrant flowers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. Sow the seed thinly so that there is no need to thin them. The seed usually germinates in the spring[1]. Grow them on in the same pot in a cold frame for the first two years, giving an occasional liquid feed to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs whilst they are still in leaf in early summer of their second year's growth, putting about 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on in the cold frame for a further year before planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring whilst they are still in growth. The plants take about 4 years to flower from seed[200]. Division of offsets[1, 200]. This is best done immediately after the plants have finished flowering (and still have green leaves) though it can also be done in late summer and early autumn when the plants are dormant[200]. Scooping.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia) EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (n. & Kastellorizo Island), Italy (incl. Sicily), Romania, Turkey (Istanbul), Spain (northeast), France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Galanthus nivalis	Snowdrop, Common Snowdrop	Bulb	0.2	3-9	M	MH	S	M	0	1
Hylocereus megalanthus	Yellow Pitaya	Shrub	2.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	DM	4	3	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Galanthus - L.