Description
This is not listed in the Snowdrop Bible, I assume as it was named after publication (but this is my assumption, not a proven fact).
It is a selection of x valentinae, (the scientific name for the hybrid between nivalis and plicatus). It has substantial flowers that sit well above the glaucescent leaves and these are borne quite early in the snowdrop season. The flowers open widely in warmth and sunshine, displaying the tubular, inner segments beautifully. These are white with a strongly delineated, inverted, deep-green “V” shaped mark at the apex, shaped such that it looks a little like the gable end of a barn or house. The whole flower is quite strongly scented under these same, warm conditions.
This one is not in the Snowdrop Bible for me to look at its history, but I have seen two explanations for the name; one is that it is it was found in, and named for, The Chelsea Physic Garden, formerly an Apothecary Garden, the second story is that it was named by Galanthophile Dr. Ronald MacKenzie in honour of his profession. It is of course perfectly possible that both tales are true!
Introduced to our lists February 2022
for UK sales ONLY. NOT available for export.