Galanthus ‘Fly Fishing’ is a snowdrop I’ve grown for several years, and one to value for both its reliability and its character.
It’s best known for its exceptionally long, fine pedicel, which holds the flower well clear of the leaves. Even in a very light breaze flower bobs and sways.
Why it’s called ‘Fly Fishing’
The name was chosen by Alan Street of Avon Bulbs, where the plant was discovered.
The long, flexible pedicel allows the flower to move freely, and the motion was likened to a fly-fishing line moving in the wind.
It’s a simple, visual description, and once you’ve seen the plant growing, the name makes immediate sense.
Distinctive features
The below will help you recognise Galanthus Fly Fishing in the garden and is what makes it so distinctive.
- A single, nodding white flower held well away from the foliage
- An exceptionally long pedicel, longer than most early snowdrops
- Inner segments marked with a clean, green inverted V
- Broad, grey-green leaves
Constant, gentle movement of the flower in even the slightest breeze
It’s the combination of length and movement that really distinguishes it, rather than any unusual markings.
Flowering and performance in my Manchester garden
In my garden in Manchester, Galanthus ‘Fly Fishing’ always flowers by Christmas. It’s one of the most reliable early snowdrops I grow and often the first to be fully out, even in cold winters.
I originally bought it in flower in 2018 from eBay for £16, which felt like a bit of an indulgence at the time. Since then it has bulked up steadily, to the point where I’ve been able to sell a few bulbs to recoup the original cost, and also give several pots away as gifts.
The plant has always been very healthy, with no tendency to sulk or weaken.
One particularly impressive feature is how well it copes with frost: the flowers can be flattened overnight, but it’s remarkable how quickly they bounce back upright once temperatures rise.
Growing notes
- Fully hardy
- Reliable and vigorous once established
- Prefers free-draining soil
- Grows well in sun or light shade
- Best appreciated where the flower can be seen in profile, so the pedicel and movement are obvious
- Like most snowdrops, it’s usually planted or moved in the green after flowering.
Galanthus ‘Fly Fishing’ is a snowdrop I would happily recommend. It’s early, strong, distinctive, and rewarding to grow, with a name that genuinely reflects how the plant behaves in the garden. For me, it’s proved itself both as a collector’s plant and as a reliable, everyday snowdrop.
Where to buy
Galanthus ‘Fly Fishing’ is now reasonably well established and can usually be found without too much difficulty.
It appears fairly regularly on eBay, often sold in flower during the winter months or as bulbs in the green after flowering. As with any snowdrop purchase, it’s worth checking that plants are clearly labelled and that sellers show the actual stock being offered.
The cultivar is also available from a number of reputable UK specialist nurseries, particularly those with a strong focus on snowdrops. These tend to offer plants either freshly lifted in the green or as dormant bulbs later in the year, depending on the season.
Edulis
Availability and pricing can vary from year to year, but now often sell for £15 to £30, plants increase well, and many growers find that after a few seasons they have enough to divide and share.
Snowdrop Garden 