Double Snowdrop Bulbs ‘Flore Pleno’ (Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus)

The Double Snowdrop ‘Flore Pleno’ (Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus) is a naturally occurring double-flowered form of the common snowdrop. Each nodding white flower carries an extra ruff of inner petals, tipped and marked with green, giving a fuller and slightly longer-lasting display than the single form. Height is a modest 10–20cm, and flowering runs from January through to March.

It behaves just like the ordinary snowdrop in the garden: hardy, undemanding and reliable, returning every year and slowly bulking up into clumps. Because the double flowers are largely sterile it spreads by bulb offset rather than seed, so colonies build steadily where they are planted rather than wandering. This makes it a good choice where you want defined drifts along a path, under shrubs or through a shaded lawn.

Plant in autumn, September to December, at around 10cm depth and 5cm apart in moist, humus-rich soil that does not dry out in spring. Partial shade under deciduous trees or hedges suits it best; it tolerates full shade under a summer canopy but dislikes hot, dry ground. Leave the foliage to die back on its own after flowering and hold off mowing in grass until it has faded — this is what feeds the bulb for next year.

Supplied as dry bulbs, 4–5cm size, for autumn planting. Snowdrops are not native to Britain but have been naturalised here for centuries; this double form is a long-grown garden variety.