Galanthus x hybridus 'Merlin'

Galanthus 'Merlin' is a large, robust, heirloom snowdrop that can reach 8 inches tall with greyish-green foliage. The large flowers are notable for their inner petals which are almost entirely green but for a thin white edge. It was bred by James Allen and introduced in 1891. This and 'Magnet' are perhaps the only two of his cultivars still available today. Snowdrops are a harbinger of spring that bloom in late winter, often breaking through the snow. Their pendulous pure white flowers often have green markings, the small subtleties of which along with the variation in petal shapes beguile many gardeners who, having fallen down the rabbit hole, are known as galanthophiles. Beware! You could be next.