Quick Guide: spring, hardy, semi-shade, height: 7.5cm/3in, width: 10cm/4in

No garden is complete without snowdrops, one of the first bulbs to flower outdoors. There are several varieties. Galanthus nivalis (above) is the common snowdrop, with nodding white flowers dotted green, the best for naturalizing in grass or beneath shrubs. Large-flowered varieties are a better choice for the open ground.

GROWING Plant the fresh bulbs as soon as they are available: snowdrops can be difficult to establish and the bulbs must not dry out. Set them in moisture-retentive loam in a position where they will receive good light in very early spring.

PROPAGATION Once established, snowdrops multiply freely. Lift and divide the clusters while in flower or just afterwards and replant immediately. Separate each bulb carefully so that its leaves and roots are undamaged. Plants may be raised from seed - in fact thriving plants may self-seed - and take 5 years to reach maturity.

SPECIES G. nivalis reginae-olgae, sub-species, flowers in autumn before the leaves appear; G. n. `Flore-Plena', double, showy flowers; G. rz. `Viridapicis', large flowers, green spot on both outer and inner petals; G. elwesii, up to 25cm/10in high, spring-flowering, green inner petals.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Bulb eelworm; narcissus fly maggots; grey mould on leaves.