Galanthus elwesii 'Polar Bear'

Broad, cupped, outward-facing petals colored snowy white create a propeller-like form around a cylindrical center that is tipped and grounded in green, giving Galanthus ‘Polar Bear’ a delightfully distinctive silhouette and patterning in the late winter and early spring garden. Strappy gray-green foliage persists after the flower show, and plants will spread in a site they like to form tidy colonies. You might want extra bulbs for forcing in pots.

The species in this small genus bloom very early, and their graceful white flowers are extremely welcome in a landscape as the snow retreats. They thrive in rich, woodsy soil and show best in deciduous shade, under bushes or trees or along woodland paths. Like other members of the Amaryllis family, Snowdrops are avoided by deer and voles.

For more information on the growing and care of Galanthus, click Growing Guide.