Galanthus reginae-olgae

The Galanthus reginae-olgae, commonly known as the Queen Olga's Snowdrop, is also called the Autumn Snowdrop, as it usually blooms in October, unlike the famous Galanthus nivalis with its white bells tinged with green, signaling the end of winter. This species is native to the Taigetos mountains in the Peloponnese region, and is relatively easy to grow wherever winters are not too harsh. It is worth trying for southern gardeners who cannot accommodate the classic snowdrop. Remember to plant the bulbs when they are dormant, and they will reward you with long white bells out of season, multiplying to form attractive clumps of silver-striped ribbon-like leaves that persist through winter.  

The Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. reginae-olgae is a perennial herbaceous bulbous plant in the amaryllis family that grows spontaneously in relatively dry undergrowth in Sicily, Greece, and former Yugoslavia. In these regions, it prefers slightly cool and shaded places exposed to the north, often in thick humus between limestone rocks, in narrow gorges, along with a small fern called Adiantum capillus-veneris. Its cold resistance is usually estimated at around -12°C (10.4°F). It is a small bulbous perennial plant that blooms in autumn, just as the leaves begin to emerge. This snowdrop forms attractive clumps and reaches a height of 15 cm (6in) when in bloom. The evergreen foliage consists of upright, ribbon-like leaves, 10-15 cm (4-6in) long, with a glaucous green colour, crossed by a prominent silver midline. Each flower stem bears an outward-facing flower inclined towards the ground. The flowers consist of 3 long white sepals, topped by a small white central corolla with green V-shaped markings on the outside. The flowers are fragrant and nectar-rich. The foliage turns yellow and disappears in spring, before the arrival of summer heat and drought. Snowdrops produce numerous bulblets that allow them to spread over time. The seeds are dispersed by ants. 

The Galanthus reginae-olgae blooms at the same time as the autumn crocuses, such as Sternbergia lutea, the Naples cyclamen, and the Byzantine colchicum. It will thrive in a rockery, a sunny border, or a short grass meadow, but prefers humus-rich woodland areas. It can also be interesting to associate it with a small dry soil fern, which will occupy the space without smothering the snowdrops once their foliage has disappeared. This Snowdrop can be planted in many regions, in well-drained soil, but it dislikes excessively harsh winters and humid summers.