Galanthus reginae-olgae (Autumn Snowdrop)

The best-known autumn-flowering snowdrop, award-winning Galanthus reginae-olgae resembles the popular Galanthus nivalis but blooms much earlier, sometimes in September, but usually in October. Rich with a strong musky fragrance, it produces nodding white flowers with long and slender outer petals which nicely enclose inner petals bearing a prominent green heart-shaped mark at their tips. Unlike G. nivalis, the foliage of glaucous leaves is not adorned with a conspicuous silver stripe running down the middle. Discovered in the 1870s in the Greek Peloponnese, this small bulbous perennial enjoys dryish summer conditions, which makes it perfect for rock gardens. It is not as cold-hardy as most other snowdrops.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
• Grows up to 6 inches tall (15 cm). Once established, it naturalizes well and comes back year after year. 
• Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Thrives in moist soils that provide sufficient nutrients in part shade.
• Best planted en masse in sweeping drifts in woodlands, lawns, or under deciduous trees. Great in clusters in rock gardens or border fronts too.
• Low maintenance, it doesn’t need weeding or deadheading!
• Deer and critter resistant, it is virtually disease and trouble-free.
• Plant the bulbs 2-3 in. deep (5-7 cm) and space 2-3 in. apart (5-7 cm) in fall. 
• Allow the foliage to die back naturally to replenish the bulb’s energy for next year’s growth and flowers.
• Propagate by division when the foliage dies back. Seed may not come true
• Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset and skin contact might irritate.