Galanthus ‘Pieces of Eight’

A particularly handsome and distinctive snowdrop discovered by the late Veronica Cross in the extraordinary snowdrop patch she called “Treasure Island”, at her garden at Lower Hopton Farm in Herefordshire. This small area proved to be an astonishing source of good seedlings, producing several notable snowdrops, including ‘Pieces of Eight’, ‘Long John Silver’ and ‘Treasure Island’. Avon Bulbs specifically records ‘Long John Silver’ as coming from the same patch as ‘Pieces of Eight’. 

‘Pieces of Eight’ is a vigorous hybrid with broad, paddle-shaped outer segments, narrowing noticeably towards the base before widening again towards the lower part of the flower. A large, bold green marking occupies much of the outer segments, while the inner segments carry the dark, strongly defined green pattern associated with the Trym/Trumps type. The flowers hang elegantly from nicely arched pedicels and are set above attractive bluish-green foliage. The overall effect is unusually full and rounded for a snowdrop of this type, combining strong marking with rather more substance than some of its relatives. 

The name is a suitably piratical reference to the Spanish piece of eight, the famous silver coin — particularly appropriate given Veronica’s name for the original patch. ‘Treasure Island’ was not simply a convenient label retrospectively attached to the plants: Veronica actually called this particularly productive part of her garden Treasure Island, and several of the snowdrops discovered there subsequently acquired names with the same nautical flavour. 

Cultivation: Grow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade, preferably beneath deciduous trees or shrubs. Keep well watered while in active growth, but avoid stagnant winter wet. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering. Given its vigorous nature, ‘Pieces of Eight’ is well suited to building into a good clump and is particularly effective where its strongly marked flowers can be viewed close up.

Flowering: January–February

Hardiness: H5, approximately −15 to −10°C

Height: 15–20cm

Spread: 10–15cm