Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop) Galanthus elwesii
Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop) (Galanthus elwesii) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Amaryllidaceae family, native to Mountains of Turkey, the eastern Aegean islands, Bulgaria and Greece. It grows 15–25 cm (6–10 in) tall and 5–10 cm (2–4 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 8 cm (3 in) apart.
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Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 5–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Spacing | 8 cm (3 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of Turkey, the eastern Aegean islands, Bulgaria and Greece |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇹🇷 Turkey |
Is Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: bulbs
The bulbs contain lycorine and other alkaloids: eating them causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and they are easily mistaken for onions.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop)
- How far apart should I plant Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop)?
- About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–10 cm (2–4 in).
- Does Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop)?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop) flower?
- From about February for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. The bulbs contain lycorine and other alkaloids: eating them causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and they are easily mistaken for onions.
- What grows well with Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Giant snowdrop (Elwes’s snowdrop). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
Notes and assumptions
- A small spring bulb: plant in autumn, about three times its own depth, under deciduous trees, in grass or in pots; let the leaves die down naturally after flowering so the bulb can feed for next year.
- Broad, grey-green leaves and large, honey-scented white flowers whose inner petals carry two green marks, in late winter. Millions of wild bulbs were once dug in Turkey for export; trade is now limited by quotas under CITES, so buy nursery-raised bulbs. Snowdrop collectors (galanthophiles) pay high prices for rare forms.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Onion Allium cepa
- Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus
- Garlic Allium sativum
- Leek Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum group)
- Chives Allium schoenoprasum
- Agapanthus Agapanthus praecox
- Ornamental allium Allium giganteum
- Shallot Allium cepa var. aggregatum