Galanthus Allenii

Galanthus xallenii arose or was spotted in James Allens famous snowdrop garden in Shepton Mallet in about 1890. It appeared amongst some wild collected bulbs that he had received from an Austrian nurseryman called Gusmus.

Modern genetic investigation suggests that it is a hybrid between G. alpinus and G. woronowii.

As a plant it has convolute leaves with an unusual steely tinge to their colour and flowers which smell of bitter almonds. It is one of our favourites.