Most snowdrops are white, or green and white, but some have yellow markings – and are highly sought after. Words by Lucy Bellamy.
While most snowdrops are white, or white with green markings, some are yellow. The yellow markings are most frequently spotted on the flowers, usually on the ovary (at the base of the flower) or on the petals, but can also occur on the leaves.
Yellow snowdrops, or ‘yellows’, set the hearts of galanthophiles (snowdrop lovers) racing, and they are highly sought after. In 2022, a single bulb of Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Tears’, bred by Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery, sold for £1,850. He previously broke records in 2015, when another of his introductions, ‘Golden Fleece’, bred over the course of a decade, sold for an eye-watering £1,390.
It is possible, however, to buy some of the cheaper yellow snowdrops, such as Galanthus plicatus ‘Wendy’s Gold’ for around £20. Thanks to their lack of chlorophyll, they are considered harder to grow than white snowdrops.
Yellow snowdrops: everything you need to know
The yellow colouring on a snowdrop is the result of a lack of chlorophyll, the green pigment that is present in all plants.
Theoretically, yellow aberrations can occur on any snowdrop. They are most commonly found in the most prolific group, Galanthus nivalis. In Northumberland, yellow snowdrops, known as ‘halfers’, arise spontaneously and regularly in wild clumps.
How to grow yellow snowdrops
The popular and covetable yellow cultivars can be hesitant to grow, as their colouring is the result of a lack of chlorophyll, the green pigment present in all plants that is responsible for absorbing light as part of photosynthesis.
Therefore, to get the best out of a ‘yellow’, the bulbs should be grown outside (rather than in a greenhouse), in a location that enjoys a lot of winter sun.
Read our detailed guide to growing snowdrops.
Yellow snowdrops to buy
Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Fleece’
The first yellow, inverse poculiform (goblet-shaped) snowdrop that broke records in 2015 when a single bulb sold for £1,390. Bred over ten years by Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery. Height: 15cm.
Galanthus gracilis ‘Ronald Mackenzie’
A beautiful yellow snowdrop with delicate inner markings. Height: 16cm.
Galanthus x valentinei ‘Dryad Gold Ribbon’
A superb snowdrop with a rounded bloom and a large, yellow, inverted heart on the inner segments. Late flowering. Height: 16cm
Galanthus nivalis (Sandersii Group)
Distinguished by it’s yellow ovary and inner petal markings. Height: 15cm
Galanthus ‘Wendy’s Gold’
Inner segments can be slightly greenish yellow on first opening before changing to pure yellow. AGM. Height: 15cm.
Galanthus ‘Primrose Warburg’
Found at the home of the late galanthophile Primrose Warburg, and named after her. The flowers have a eye-catching yellow ovary. Easy to grow. 20cm. AGM.
Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus ‘Lady Elphinstone’
‘Lady Elphinstone’ is a double yellow snowdrop that dates from 1890. 12cm.
Galanthus plicatus ‘Bill Clark’
A rare and sought after variety with bright yellow ovary and inner markings.