About Galanthus reginae-olgae Orph.
Galanthus reginae-olgae Orph. has revolute dark green leaves marked with a central silver line. When fully grown, the leaves reach 11–15 cm long by 3–8 mm wide. Its flowers have three larger pure white outer tepals, sized 15–35 mm long, and three smaller inner tepals that are white with variable green markings near their tips, 9–12 mm long. Populations of this species that flower at different times, with or without fully developed leaves, have been described as separate species or subspecies. G. reginae-olgae subsp. reginae-olgae flowers in autumn, either before leaves develop or alongside the leaves. G. reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis flowers in late winter or early spring, accompanied by leaves. Galanthus reginae-olgae is native to Sicily and parts of the Balkans, in particular Greece and former Yugoslavia. It occurs in relatively dry, shady woodland. It is cultivated as an ornamental bulbous plant, especially the autumn-flowering variants. When grown in cultivation, it needs a warmer and sunnier position than most other Galanthus species. The cultivar 'Cambridge', which originated from the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, has large green markings on its inner tepals. Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. reginae-olgae has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
