'Giant Snowdrop'. Deep green joined dots at the base and inverted-V marking at the tips of the inner segments, all above broad green leaves. Increases well. Height 20cm. Found by James Atkins of Painswick in the 1860's.

A large and robust garden species. Broad reflexed glaucous leaves and large globular flowers marked green at the tip.

A very charming small flowered double. The flower stalk is long, ending in a gentle curve, the spathe is inflated and is shorter than the flower stalk. Leaves grey-green and flat with a folded back margin. Outer segments are rounded and dumpy and will rise up past the horizontal on a warm day. The inner segments have a solid looking olive green U-shaped mark which has a tendency to blur towards the base. Rosette is neat and tightly packed. In flower in late spring.

'Giant Snowdrop'. Deep green joined dots at the base and inverted-V marking at the tips of the inner segments, all above broad green leaves. Flowers in early spring. Height 18cm.

Broad, grey leaves. Strong, sturdy stem with a short, curving flower stalk. Long, narrow outer segments, inner segments form a narrow tube. Exceptionally large olive green heart-shaped mark surrounds the very small sinus. Elongated, oval ovary. Large bulbs which increase rapidly, ideal for mass planting. In flower early January to March.

With the onset of flowering, the leaves are barely one third the height of the stem. Leaves are hooded, greenish-grey, clasped tightly around a very sturdy, upright stem. Gently curved spathe, erect flower stalk, oval, dark green ovary. Outer segments are wide, deeply concave, heavily veined, inner segments have a very broad, paler green, heart shaped mark. A very strong plant that increases well. It is reliably in flower from mid October to beginning of January.

Slim, erect stem, long arching flower stalk, oval, bright pale green ovary. Long outer segments, inner segments form a narrow tube flared at the apex. Two green marks on inner segments, a bright green elongated spot either side of the sinus and a large rounded mark near the base. Narrow leaves have a slight twist to them. In flower late January.

Slim, erect stem with a long arching flower stalk. Oval, bright pale green ovary. Long outer segments, inner segments form a narrow tube, flared at the apex. Two green marks on inner segments, a bright green elongated spot either side of the sinus and a large rounded mark near the base. Narrow leaves have a slight twist to them. In flower late January.

A vigorous and persistent plicatus hybrid (unlike many plicatus forms which are short-lived and disease-prone). The outer petals are quite small compared to the inner. These incline to the horizontal, whilst the inners are tightly packed in a symmetrical crinoline, each tipped with the merest spot of pale lime-green. A very characteristic and appealing flower and a lovely display of perfectly proportioned blooms.

A strong, robust, very old cultivar which still retains a charm all of its own, due to its incredibly long flower stalk. Erect, tall, narrow, green leaves, Strong, erect stem, slightly inflated spathe. Outer segments are bluntly oval in shape, inner segments are broad, with a solid, 70-degree angled, green mark. Fragrant with a honey scent. In flower very early. Height 12cm.

Often referred to as the 'common snowdrop', this is still a rewarding plant. Narrow, grey-green leaves, erect to splayed, a short, sturdy stem and erect spathe. Pale green ovary. Long, tapering outer petals, broad, inner segments with a variable narrow pale green inverted V-shaped marking. In flower early spring. Height 11cm. Also a rare sub-species discovered in Italy by Robert Gathorne-Hardy - g.n.ssp.imperati - which is a strong form, taller with larger flowers and well honey-scented.

Double form of G.nivalis. Outer segments range from 3 to 5, loose inner rosette, many elongated segments. Narrow green inverted V-shaped mark on each. In flower early spring. Height 11cm.

This is a double form of Galanthus nivalis, in which all of the normally green markings (including those of the inner double frill) and the ovary have become yellow, verging on apricot. In some years it can revert to green markings, especially after transplanting, but once it settles it reverts to yellow once more. Found growing by Sir Graeme Elphinstone when he moved to Heawood Hall in Cheshire in 1890 and subsequently passed to Samuel Arnott. Height 15cm.

A double snowdrop with outer petals tipped with green. First found on the banks of the Thames near Pusey and preserved in cultivation since, although it has become scarce of late. Height 8cm.

Beautiful, tiny snowdrop. Short stem, erect flower stalk, spathe is like two separate erect, narrow leaves. Outer segments are rounded, the tips have several green lines. Inner segments have broad, deep green inverted V-shaped mark surrounding a deeply cut sinus. Found by Julius Scharlock in 1818 and named after him by E.A. Bowles. In flower mid-spring. Height 12cm.

Narrow, erect, grey-green leaves and a short, sturdy stem. Large, leafy spathe, short, erect flower stalk. Outer segments are long and rounded at the tips, which have several merged green lines. Inner segments have a dark green rounded inverted V with expanded ends which turn up slightly. Discovered near an old farmhouse in Northern Holland by Mr. J.M.C. Hoog early in the 20th century. In flower late spring.

Was G. ikariae ssp. ikariae - Latifolius Group. Rolled, bright green glossy foliage with the good-sized white flowers in late spring. From Turkey. Height 12cm.

Distinctive folded leaves. Early flowering and increases quickly in sun. Height 15cm.

Bright green, broad leaves with a short, sturdy stem. Erect to curving spathe, erect flower stalk. Outer segments are long and deeply veined, inner segments have a greenish-yellow/yellow variable shaped large marking. From Wandlebury Ring; discovered in 1973 and distributed by Bill Clarke. In flower early spring.

This is the lovely autumn-flowering snowdrop from the Taygetos Mountains of Southern Greece. A wonderful plant, hardy here, outside and always a talking point - it really should be in every garden. Likes a slightly limey soil in a south-facing sunny spot, but it is tolerant. Best left to clump and this form also sets fertile seed in abundance. Likes deep soil. Height 8cm.

Leaves tall at flowering time, green, with a central grey stripe. Tall, very sturdy stems. Long tapering outer segments, inner segments have a deep mid green horseshoe mark. Large, elongated ovary. Usually produces two flowering stems per bulb. Highly scented. In flower early spring.

Greyish-green, narrow, splayed leaves and a sturdy, erect stem. Outer flower segments bluntly tapering, inner segments have a bright green sharply angled inverted V-shaped mark. Strongly scented. In flower early spring. Height 20cm. Originates from Hyde Lodge.

Short, semi-erect, grey-green leaves and short sturdy stems. Curved spathe and short, sharply angled flower stalk. Bluntly pointed outer segments, inner segments have a horseshoe mark. When established it usually produces a second flower extending the flower season. Flowers mid-spring. Height 12cm.

Fairly broad, semi-erect, bright green, shiny leaves on semi-erect stems. Gently curved spathe and flower stalk. Tapering outer segments, inner segments have a square-topped horseshoe mark. In flower early spring.