12 IRISH SNOWDROPS
1 Galanthus ‘Straffan’ Also known as ‘The O’Mahoney’ this tall Irish snowdrop has chunky flowers with grooves on the inner segments. Reliable once settled. 25cm. AGM*.
2 G. ‘Hill Poë’ This pinnate Irish double, with five outer petals, was found growing under a walnut tree at Riverston, Co Tipperary in 1911 by James Hill Poë. It needs good drainage and flowers late in the season. 14cm.
3 G. ‘ Brenda Troyle’ This early-flowering hybrid, with a broad inverted ‘V’ at the apex, was found on the Acton family estate in Co Wicklow. It has large, rounded flowers, a honey scent and grey-blue leaves. 20cm.
4 G. ikariae ‘Emerald Isle’ This Irish snowdrop has broad, green markings on the outer segments and is almost entirely green on the inner segments. It was found in 1986 by Megan Morris at Drew’s Court, Co Limerick. 18cm.
5 G. plicatus ‘Woodtown’ This Irish snowdrop, with large rounded flowers and erect to arching, blue-green leaves, was raised by Oliver Schurmann of Mount Venus Nursery. 16-20cm.
6 G. ‘Waverley’ seedling This Irish cultivar is a tall, mid-season snowdrop. A vigorous grower, as good as its parent ‘Waverley Aristocrat’. 18-20cm.
7 G. ‘Kildare’ This large-flowered snowdrop, which often has two scapes, has beautiful green stripes on the outer petals. 24cm.
8 G. ‘Mark’s Tall’ Found by Mark Smyth in Northern Ireland, this tall snowdrop is a cross between nivalis and plicatus species. Flowers prolifically in January and February. 35cm.
9 G. ‘Cicely Hall’ This outstanding, robust Irish cultivar has dark-green inner markings and the largest sinus (notch at the tip of the tepal) of any cultivar. It was found at Primrose Hill, Lucan, where it was nicknamed The Stalker. 20-25cm.
10 G. ‘Blaris’ With chunky, rounded flowers this Irish snowdrop is a really good doer, flowering in February and March. 18cm.
11 G. ‘Waverley Aristocrat’ Raised by Harold McBride in Co Down, this snowdrop has long, slender outer segments and a broad green mark on the inner segment. It often produces two scapes (flower stalks). Flowers February to March. 16-20cm.
12 G. ‘Green Lantern’ This snowdrop, with well-shaped flowers, has a broad inverted ‘V’ on the inner segments. It bulks up well. 18cm.