Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: mark smyth on January 04, 2007, 08:33:59 PM
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I'll kick off January with a web site update. I have now added a new photo gallery page with very few species prefixes http://www.snowdropinfo.com/gallery2007-2.htm (http://www.snowdropinfo.com/gallery2007-2.htm) A few people have ask for it. Some names no longer make sense eg 'Greentip' and twins. I have kept some in. It's not live just yet!
Many thanks John Finch and Brian Ellis for proof reading the whole site.
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An excellent gallery Mark, Thank you
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thanks Franz.
I'm off today and it's another lovely day but not as warm as yesterdays 12C.
Galanthus 'Ding Dong'
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As Gregory said: "bella bella".
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ah, a blast from the past. Gregory's Girl
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This is G. Bess which is quite plain compared to some 'modern' varieties
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Are G. 'Ding Dong' and G. 'Bess' in flower at the moment?
Paddy
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yes they are along with up to 20 others including, and I whisper, a yellow tipped 'Castlegar' still inside the spathe but very clearly marked. It better open!
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Hi All
can I just check where I am meant to post any snowdrop pictures I take.
The obvious place to me would be within the 'Flowers and Foliage Now' section (isn't this where it was on the old forum?) - but pictures are becoming divided between that section (Early January 2007) and the 'Bulbs General' area (Galanthus January 2007). I don't think this is clear enough for newcomers to the forum.
Is this new thread 'Galanthus January 2007' supposed to be used for posting pictures or just general Galanthus chat? If it is for posting pictures is there a way it can be placed under 'Flowers and Foliage Now' to make it easier to find. If just for chat could the thread title perhaps be adapted to explain that.
I do agree with having a seperate thread for Galanthus flowers at this time of year but if I am struggling with understanding where to find it and put things I am sure new members/'lurkers' will be too. It would seem a good idea to get things clear whilst the forum is still young as I fear it could become rather messy/disjointed otherwise.
with many thanks
John
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I personally think keeping single species bulbs in here would be better and keeping flowering now for misc. plants We'll see what the Boss says
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Good morning, Friends, Fat Lady here.... we'll keep you snowdrop chappies all here in the one place, thank you!
There will always be overlaps with other threads - but remember that the search facility will help you to find the plants you are looking for.
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Nice to see your smiling face back on the screen Maggi, hope you are fully recovered.
Happy New Year to you and all the other forumists.
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Okie Dokie Maggie
us snowdrop chappies will stay hidden away in here out of sight ;D
hope you are still on the mend.
regards
John
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Now, John, you are our special OOAgent, and I know you white fever sufferers, you can root out a snowdrop from half a mile, finding this page shouldn't be too hard!
Hi, JoF, good to be here. Happy New Year to you, too!
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Paddy if you, or anyone else, is interested I can email you a list of snowdrops in flower now. Just ask. I did a count this morning and there are 23 out.
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That's 22 more than me!
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I took a look at the garden today which species are flowering;
Mrs. Mc Namara, Richard Ayers, Sickle, Wendy's Gold, Handel, Caucasicus, Comet.
Fred's Giant is on his way, like a few others. I tried to make some pics, but I think I need a other camera for that.
Mark; may I ask you what kind of camera u use ? Your site looks GREAT !! My compliments, will be a lot of work.
Something that will be fast forgotten by a lot of people. Keep on doing the good work please.
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Thanks Richard. I was going to add the yellow named snowdrops in Gallery V2 but I'm dead beat tonight
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Mark,
That G. 'Castlegar' sounds fabulously interesting. Mind it very carefully! I will be begging one from you in a few years time.
As with Chris, I am amazed at the differences in flowering time between gardens which really are not so distant from each other. This week, particularly yesterday and today, has made a marked difference to plants here and some that were barely showing earlier in the week have now stretched considerably and should flower soon.
If you would like to post your 'in-flower' list, I'm sure it would make very welcome and interesting reading.
Paddy
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I hear today that it can be cause by a delayed 'birth' of the flower
Richard my camera is a Nikon Coolpix 5000. It's no longer made. My new camera/s will hopefully be a Canon 400D and a Canon Ixus 750 or 60. A friend has the Ixus 750 that takes excellent distance shots, that my camera is rubbish at, and macro to 3cm. He's a traveller, not literally, and the Ixus goes with him everywhere eg Himalayas and South Africa. Soon he'll travel the length and breadth of America north and south. Here are his photos http://www.genon.smugmug.com/gallery/1975088 (http://www.genon.smugmug.com/gallery/1975088)
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A good bright day brought these two into flower.
Galanthus 'Paradise Giant'
Galanthus 'Dionysious'
Paddy
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Paddy could you edit the photos to show close ups?
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Here you are, Mark.
Galanthus 'Paradise Giant'
Galanthus 'Dionysius'
Paddy
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thats better thanks
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I hadn't realised you were so short-sighted; never saw you wearing spectacles. I'll keep your infirmity in mind in future!
Paddy
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thanks for the close-ups Paddy - I find the detailed pictures very useful as reference shots.
cheers
John
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Hi Maggie
I have just realised that there may be a way to improve the search facility.
At the moment the person posting pictures must put the name of the plants being posted in the text of the post for the search to work. However, because the pictures now show the file names it is very likely that a lot of the time the plant names will not be written in the text. In these cases the search facility fails to find the relevant threads (eg, Paddy's Galanthus post about Dionysius or Lesley's Iris post about Star at Midnight - neither of which show up if searching for those plants).
Could you possibly ask Mr Admin if the attachment names can be added to the search criteria perhaps?
Sorry, it is not possible to do this.
with my best wishes
John
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Galanthus elwesii recently purchased from local garden centre. Hope I haven't caught white fever from you Mark, never had much interest in snowdrops before coming on this forum. Thanks for all the great photos and info.
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Hi Mick
now you can see why it is referred to as a fever. I used to think my aunt was mad collecting snowdrops as 'they were all just green and white' to me. 15 years later I am begging any spares shes has and spending far too much of my pocket money! ;)
John
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hello Mick. Your elwesii is, although nice, a well marked elwesii var. elwesii, two marks instead of one, and included those with all green inners. Single marked elwesii are var. monostictus.
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Nice set of pics Paddy :) I prefare the first set but then I am not a galanthophile just a plantophile ::)
Mick nice plant and pic hope it does well for You.
Kind regards
Joakim
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Referring back to John's reply no 26 on the previous page: It is not possible to link the picture file names to the search engine for the forum. Sorry about that. If posters could just take an extra moment or two to add the names of plants in the body of their text also, then the search facility will be able to link everything more easily.Though there is often a clue about where stuff might be found, I find!! Thank you!
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Hi Maggie
thanks for the reply - I thought it was probably unlikely to be able to search file names too. Could it be worth adding that 'plant names should be written in text to enable searching' to the Admin General FAQ's as a 'good practice when posting'.
with kind regards
John
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Good thinking, John Lad, will do.
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Every collection no matter how big or small should contain this snowdrop. Galanthus nivalis. Where would we be today without it?
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Pretty little white flower, Mark! Only three weeks now till you visit Aberdeen with tales of the white fever!
Mick, I'll send you my phone number, when you feel a moment of white weakness coming on, ring me and I'll talk you out of it!!
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You try finding it in a garden centre?! Every one I've been to this year is selling pots of Galanthus elwesii as G. nivalis!!!
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How would I tell the difference Anthony? As I bought some nivalis at the same time as elwesii.
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Here's what Mark said on 24th December re Snowie types: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=39.90
Copied here without pix.
Re: Galanthus 2006
« Reply #101 on: December 24, 2006, 06:08:45 PM in Galanthus 2006 »
Here are some leaf types for thse unfamiliar with Galanthus
1. The leaves grow with their upper surface facing each other, Applanate, as in G. nivalis
2. The leaves have the edges folded back. They flatten with age. Explicate as in G. plicatus
3. One leaf wraps around the other until they seperate, Supervolute, like G. elwesii. Hooded on leaf tips
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Mark Smyth
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Antrim, Co. Antrim. Northern Ireland Z8
Marks Garden Plants etc:
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Joakim,
The first set of photographs were taken to show off the beautiful sky as much as the snowdrops - it was a pet day, beautiful weather and I was delighted with it.
The second set, reposted at Mark's request, are for those people who like to examine the snowdrops in greater detail.
Many snowdrops are very similar and close examination is necessary to differentiate them. On the other hand, mass plantings of snowdrops have an appeal that is difficult to surpass.
There is a garden outside Ballymena, Northern Ireland, which belongs to a Mrs. June Docherty where there are very old mass plantings of the common Galanthus nivalis which are spectacular and need no closer examination to give enjoyment.
I'm not sure how it is for others who like snowdrops but, for me, I use Galanthus nivalis for large plantings, for example, under trees and shrubs, and the more unusual snowdrops are for more special display. The unusual snowdrops also have the great advantage of allowing one to swap with other gardeners, or simply give to other gardeners who are also keen on snowdrops and this is one of the most pleasurable aspects of gardening, the pleasant social interaction with like-minded people.
Whether individually or in mass snowdrops are very beautiful and most welcome at this otherwise miserable time of year in the garden.
Paddy
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yes Maggi it's very close indeed and I'm nervous to stand before the Bulb Despot himself
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Paddy I liked the sky and the white snowdrop :) I guessed it was to show off as well and I saw the recuest for close ups.
Here in Sweden we do not have any problem with wrongly marked snowdrops since it is just snowdrops if any marking. Maybe double if one is in extreem luck. Regarding snowdrops for sale in the green the most is sold by private persons on market and fair and it is what people have a lot of = G. nivalis and the rest is in dry semidead bulb state and might be both elwasi and nivalis. Most is sold as bulb 95% I would say. So we do not have a problem of getting the wrong sort since we mostly have nivalis.
So having more than one is a bit of luxuary even if it is very anoting to get something else than what one paid for, but I would think nivalis is cheaper than elwasi so one would mak a good buy :) !
Kind regards
Joakim
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Joakim most mail order companies will mail over seas and some eg Judy's Snowdrops will send you bulbs when dormant and freshly lifted from the ground. Paul Christian also sends when dormant. I believe this is by far the best time. Ian Y will hopefully back me up. When you buy a special bulb it has lost it's roots at a time they need them most - to build up the bulb for the following year. When I send out swaps I like to do so when the leaves have lost their freshness or are yellow
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Mark thanks for the tip but I am trying to stay away from the white fever 8) !
We used to get wild collected bulbs that were semi dead when they came to Sweden and that dried and died in the store so that 1 survivor of 10 was a normal to good result :'(
I got mine from the sheeps fence since the neighbour spread some bulbs with the soil he trew there. After 30 years there were enough for me to take some without making a problem.
I think the way Mark sugested is the smatest and is used for Cypripedium I think.
Kind regards
Joakim
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I bought Galanthus Ikariae in a super market for 2€ or 10 bulbs but I the picture is not like Marks delicate. Does anyone know what it really is?
If it Flowers I will post but I had the feeling that it is known what it really is already.
Mark I am not totaly free from the white fever just pretending. 8)
Kind regards
Joakim
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Joakim as you already know it will take a photo of flowers and leaves for a positive ID
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Never before was Galanthus elwesii the first of all my galanthus. This year it is the first in my meadow!
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It seems a funny season so far but here is one of mine in flower. Mrs MacNammara
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Mark and anyone else
Here is a picture of a picture from the package of galanthos ikariae. They do not look like the ones in Marks album.
Is it possible to say what the picture snowdrops are? I know it might be others that come up but the picture might get a hint of what is coming. Sorry for the bad picture I had problem with the flash.
I read somewhere that ikariae is now called woronowii is that true?
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yes ikariae and woronowii are mixed up. The leaves are similar but the flowers are not. Your package shows as far as I can tell nivalis
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Joakim, best advice is never believe the picture that is on the label of plants, particularly from garden centres. Mark and I have felt the sting of disappointment too often.
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very true. I dont really trust any supplier anymore including those in business a long time.
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Galanthus 'Fred's Giant' in flower today. I particularly like those galanthus with long and slim outer perianth segments; they seem to hang more elegantly than the more dumpy cultivars.
Paddy
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Aha, Paddy, you have a problem with "dumpy" do you? Think carefully, now, you may want to rephrase that, some of us are sensitive about such things !!
Actually, I find that my usual cavalier and catholic attitude to which flowers I love is never more obvious than when I am looking at snowdrops; if I'm loooking at a long slim one, I think, how elegant it is; then when I see a dumpy one I think, how charming to see how little and fat it is... I'm a horticultural slapper, and no mistake!! And, thank you, no " you can lead a 'hore to culture, but you cannot make her think" jokes, i can do those myself.
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Maggi et al I have added more photo to the web site. It's those in yellow
http://www.snowdropinfo.com/gallery2007.htm (http://www.snowdropinfo.com/gallery2007.htm)
Maggi you do realise in two weeks time all you will hear from me from dawn to dusk is G-a-l-a-n-t-h-u-s
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More good work there, Mark, though it pains me to admit it ! I am taking extra vitamins to strengthen myself for your visit, I think i will cope!
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But Maggi,
Is there anyone more elegant than you?
Anyone reading who thinks otherwise speak up now.
And even the dumpy ones find a welcome place in the garden.
Paddy
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Now, Paddy, you can't get out of it with that flannel...next you'll be asking me " if I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me" !! Ah, yes, the old jokes are the best!
I've been having a look at Mark's photos... I think I do have a leaning towards the dumpies. When I look at lots of shots, one after another, i can even see some differences myself...don't tell anyone, mind.
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Maggi,
Perhaps, as is said of footballers: a good big one is better than a good small one?
And I have no idea whatever what flannel is, except that used for washing. Anything else would be completely foreign to me. Now, on the other hand, B......ting might be something I have practiced on the very odd occasion, but never with malintent.
Paddy
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Just back from a weeks holiday in Rome, where temperatures were circa 10C warmer than usual, with no wind or rain - which I gather is quite a contrast to the very strong winds & torrential rain here in the south of England whilst I was away.
A tour of the garden this morning revealed the dramatic effects of the very wet & mild weather experienced in recent months with about 80 different snowdrops already in flower - mostly elwesii, plicatus & hybrids but including a few nivalis &, surprisingly, several forms of my favourite snowdrops, g. ikariae & g. woronowii, that do not usually flower until late February/early March - the latter species looked great, but I do not know how long they will last in these milder temperatures.
Mercifully, the slug situation does not seem to have worsened and no further evidence of slug damage was noted on the snowdrops.
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Chris,
Welcome back, though reading of the conditions in Rome do make me a little envious. You will have gathered that we have not had it as nice here.
All the same it is nice to return to a good display of snowdrops.
Paddy
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Yes, glad you had a pleasant break, Chris, though if the wind had been in a different direction we might all have been blown out to join you! I suspect the slug damage is less than you thought it might have been because the damn things have all been drowned and/or blown away!!
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Hi Paddy
Glad to be back - Rome was really enjoyable, but home is better!
I was really looking forward to seeing my snowdrops, and I was not disappointed!
Just hope that we have a colder snap, otherwise the snowdrops will be over all too soon.
Chris
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Hi Maggi
From what I have heard, I suspect that you are right about them drowning - our taxi driver from the airport was full of stories about the torrential rain!
I was mightily worried when, on the day before we left, I cleared several slugs off of the grit surrounding my g. elwesii 'Carolyn Elwes', but happy to report that it seems to have survived intact, together with a few other 'specials'.
Chris
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It IS good when our worst fears are not realised, isn't it? I think the gales will have blown away some aphids, too, thank goodness.
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Welcome back Chris - I thought you had gone a bit quiet. Glad the slugs haven't taken advantage of your absence.
Things are slowly moving upwards here. I would guess about 3 more will be in flower this weekend (about 10 % of my collection).
John
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Thanks John - I must admit that I was a bit worried about the slugs, which seemed to appear in some numbers (both large and very small) just before I left for Rome, particularly as they seemed to be targetting a number of my 'prized' snowdrops!
I do not usually have any sort of slug problem after about mid November, so am into new terrotory here and, if this milder winter weather is to stay with us in future years, I must clearly work out a new slug strategy!
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Well Chris I hope you haven't got pheasants and rabbits which are causing mayhem here! At least my twin scales are popping up. I have successfully put used coffee grounds as a mulch over Hostas in the winter. It seems to keep the slugs away, first read about it in the RHS Journal and thought it was worth having a try. Would it have an adverse affect on snowdrops I wonder?
Brian
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There is the new challenge, never mind the wee green bits or the yellow tips what about the slug-proof, non edible by rabbits, deer, pheasants, etc snow drop.
Or any bulb for that matter.
Is it possible?
I am finding many of the newly emerging tips of bulbs being nibbled as the are appearing, definitely a slug problem in Aberdeen as well.
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Hi Brian - used coffee grounds is a new one on me - only one way to find out whether or not it works with snowdrops - I will try it next year (in a controlled experiment)!
I am not sure if he is still on the SRGC Forum, but Ruben Billiet uses a cover of Lava Rock over his snowdrops - apparently this is very sharp and consequently (literally) shreds slugs & snails as they try to crawl over it - I have not yet been able to source any in the UK, so I cannot speak first hand but, if he is still with us, perhaps Ruben might comment further (if anyone does know a source for Lava Rock, I would love to know).
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Well Ian, I don't know about your challenge but I would certainly be interested in any other slug & snail beating measures taken by members of the Forum - the nibbling of newly emerged tips is so frustrating, particularly when the flower is okay.
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I'm not sure how it is for others who like snowdrops but, for me, I use Galanthus nivalis for large plantings
Hi Paddy - just catching up with some of the postings whilst I was away - whilst you are absolutely right that nivalis lends itself very well to mass plantings, I wonder if these mass plantings might also be a source of some interesting new forms?
I have been intrigued by the very exciting nivalis forms coming out of such places as the Czech Republic and Croatia where the snowdrops seem to have been hybridising unhindered over long periods of time (I suspect that other, as yet untapped, populations of nivalis in such places as Poland, Romania, Bosnia, Slovakia etc will also, over time, give up some gems as well)
The sometimes maligned g. nivalis, or Common Snowdrop, is definitely a very versatile snowdrop in that it produces a whole range of different forms e.g. early flowering, late flowering, dwarf, tall, big flowers, small flowers, albino, green tips, green lines, variation in both leaf size & colour etc etc.
Therefore, in addition to seeking out & growing nivalis forms with these diverse characteristics, I have also created a nivalis bed which started with the basic g. nivalis & g. nivalis flore pleno that were growing here when I moved to my present house & I now routinely add to it an extra bulb of any new nivalis forms that I acquire (and duly stick a label in to that effect) and will be interested to discover whether, over a period of years, any interesting hybridisation occurrs.
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Hi Chris,
Re the mass planting of galanthus nivalis. The one big planting that I spoke about in a previous posting was, rather disappointingly, devoid of any variations when closely inspected by some snowdrop enthusiasts. This was a disappointment when, as it was an old planting, there was some expectation that there might be some variations over the years.
Do post some photographs of those favourites of yours. It would be a treat.
Paddy
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Paddy - I am hoping that, by seeding the original nivalis stock with nivalis forms with different characteristics, nature will take its course - we will see!
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Maybe I will have a good solution for you all about the slugs. At least, it works for me very well !!!!
I put little plastic tubes/little botles ( sorry, do not know the right english word for it ) into the ground, let them stick out just a little. Than I fill them 1/2 with sweet beer. Yes, yes, I know, it is a waste. But it is worth it !!! Slugs go into this, they love the beer.
But they do not come out anymore, they kind of drown in it.
It is easy for me to get this plastic tubes, because we use them at my work. Normally we fill them with water and we use them for the cuted orchids/cybidiums. These tubes are used for letting having the orchid water while they are transported all over the world. Maybe you can get them in a flowershop in your city.
I put a few off these tubes between the different species of snowdrops, it works !
If people do not know what I mean, please say it to me. I will make a picture from these tubes at my work, and show it to you.
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Richard your description is perfect and what you are telling us is to use beer traps. Small plastic cups or the bottom of cola bottles work well
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Back on track now with a couple of Galanthus from today. I had to give up trying to photograph them due to the continuing high winds.
The first is a new Galanthus called 'Compton Court'. I dont think it should have been named as it is just a single marked early flowering snowdrop. It does however have a very good shape and looks great in a group. The scent is wonderful.
And at the bottom is another early flowering snowdrop that shows before Christmas. It looks very like 'Castlegar' but with slight differenes. For ID purposes it is labelled 'Castlegar -maybe'
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Galanthus in the garden today:
G. 'Compton Court'
G. Atkinsii
G. 'Magnet' - just the first bloom in the clump
G. 'Dionysius'
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Hi Paddy - great photo of 'Compton Court' - very nice form - I do not know this one, can you give me any more information as to its origins etc?
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Just reading back over Mark's post.
I agree with Mark's sentiments re the naming of snowdrops which have only the very slightest of difference from other related species or cultivars. With the great present popularity of snowdrops it is to be expected that this might happen. Enthusiasts might want to name a snowdrop which they find in their own garden, their 15 minutes of fame, so to speak. Those into snowdrops in a commercial way will be tempted to have a 'new' snowdrop on the market - new is desirable, in short supply and will command a high price.
Common sense is our only recourse - don't buy a snowdrop simply because it is new and another name to add to the list grown in the garden. Likewise, don't rush into naming a snowdrop.
Of course, this applies not only to snowdrops. The same can be said of most other plants.
Paddy
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Slugs are often not very active in the winter and therfore not likely to cause too much damage. Has anyone thought that field mice can also eat the tips of snowdrops. I have had the tops of frits, narcissus and even brussel sprouts eaten by mice. It was not voles as the problem ceased on each occasion when I caught the mice.
Brian Wilson
Aberdeen
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Chris,
When I read your query I immediately reached for Bishop, Davis and Grimshaw but realise you will also have this to hand and so presume it is not mentioned in it. All I can tell you at present is that I was sent a few bulbs to try in the garden to see how it would go. It's a good growing, well-held and decently-sized flower.
The best thing I can suggest is that I send on a bulb later in the season when the foliage is wilted. You will be able to see how it does in your own garden and compare it to others. Would that suit you?
Paddy
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It is being trialled by the main snowdrop suppliers in England and as far as I know not under this or any name. It's origin is in England and it's garden worthiness was noted after bulbs came to N Ireland. A few of us hold the stock just in case those in one garden fail
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Slugs are often not very active in the winter and therfore not likely to cause too much damage
Hi Brian - unfortunately, it is very definitely slugs with me - both they and their slime trails are very visible - most of them are very small in size, which I assume means that they are recently hatched.
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Hi Paddy - very generous of you - thanks
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Interesting point Brian. It is always very difficult to apportion blame but between the various pests but I think I do get mice and wood pigeon damage as well as slugs. Where I have only one or 2 plants I usually apply the belt and bracers approach and cover with a small square of rigid netlon - which you forms a natural dome when cut from the roll making it difficult for the pesky things to get at the plant buds and I also spread a few pellets about. I have found that for whatever reason mice or is it woodpigeons are particularly attracted to Galanthus Reginae and Peshmenii - perhaps they have a unique flavour ???
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Photograph of Galanthus fosteri below but then a very odd Galanthus fosteri - double flowered, an odd one certainly!
This is something seen regularly enough on herbaceous perennials, foxgloves are particularly prone to it, but it is the first time I have seen it in a snowdrop.
Paddy
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Hi Paddy - is this the first time this has happened, or does this happen regularly on this particular plant?
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Does it do this every year? If yes then mark the bulb for future chipping
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Hi Paddy
This twinning is mentioned in Marcus Harvey's Hillview Rare Plants Catalogue (Tasmania) this year. He mentions 2 Cultivars which regularly do it: "Kite" and "Mrs Thompson". I've not seen it myself so have ordered one to check it out!
cheers
fermi
Neophyte galanthophile
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Hi Chris,
First time ever, never saw it happen previously. An odd one!
Paddy
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Hi Fermi,
If it would not put you to much bother I would like to hear more about this from you. It's just of interest to me at the moment as I have this G. fosteri doing it at present.
Paddy
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Hi Fermi - both 'Kite' & 'Mrs Thompson' often produce two flowers on separate pedicels, from the same scape - but I think that you will find that Paddy's fosterii seems to be throwing two flowers from a single pedicel.
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here are two examples. elwesii 'Selbourne Greentips' and elwesii 'Kite'
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Fermi,
As Chris said, in this case with G. fosteri the two flowers are from one pedicle and are actually fused together. Is this referred to as being 'bifocal' or am I confusing the term with a type of spectacle?
The outer segments of both flowers are together giving an outer ring of six segments; then the two inner sets of segments are inside this but not fused. The ovaries are also fused.
Paddy
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Could this be coused by a physical problem when arising like a insect bite a disturbance of some sort. Sometimes these things couses strange things to the plant and flower. I do not know if it has ever been the cause of this.
Interesting and interesting to see if it repeats next Year.
Patiente is a virtue 8)!
Joakim
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Joakim with the stable twinned varieties it is a genetic defect that affects the flower bud. This fosteri may just a had a genetic hiccup
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It eventually dawned on me what the term to describe this condition was. I have heard it referred to as the plant being 'bifoci' and that term had stuck in my mind. The correct term is 'fasciation'. Here is a quotation from the Royal Horticultural Society's website:
"fasciation, a condition that may randomly affect a diverse range of plants. Round stems are flattened, suggesting many stems have fused together. True fasciation is the product of a single, normally dome-shaped growing point that has become abnormally broadened and flattened. Any side shoots usually remain small and undeveloped.
The condition may be caused by random genetic disruption or infection by the bacterium which causes leafy gall disease. It can also be initiated chemically or mechanically by, for example, frost action, insects, or damage by chance when hoeing or forking.
Plants commonly affected: delphiniums, euphorbias, forsythia, foxgloves, lilies, primulas."
Back to something normal. Here are two photographs of Galanthus 'Lavinia' from the garden today.
Paddy
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Hi Paddy - thanks for the details on 'fasciation'. It will be interesting to see is if this is repeated next year, or if it was just a one off occurence - are you going to separate out this g. fosterii plant?
I really like the photo's that you have been posting - the light is obviously very good in your part of the world & your photo's are very clear & detailed.
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Chris,
I hadn't any intention of separating out this G. fosteri. It is one of a small group growing in a pot in a cold glasshouse and so is unlikely to be lost. Really, I think the chances of a repetition are unlikely but one never knows.
Re photographs: many thanks for your compliments but the good photographs are more a credit to digital technology than any expertise on my part. First of all, when taking photographs of a flower I take a multitude and then later on I select one I like. Also, modern cameras have a very high resolution so that the original photograph can have part of it selected and effectively enlarged and still remain quite clear and sharp.
I have read you comment that you must get a camera - you really must! It adds an extra dimension to the enjoyment of the flowers. Also, I find it directs my attention to look more carefully at the detail of the bloom. Of course, it also allows people to share images easily.
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Paddy - I think that you are being modest - the technology is not much use unless the person pressing the button has an aptitude for taking a good photo/selecting the best shots!
John Finch has been quietly trying to encourage me to go digital but, as I told him, I am a bit of a technophobe - still, if Thomas can get me interested in Crocus, who knows!
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G. lavinia is a real stunner Paddy ! Beautiful !! ;)
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Luc, you are right - these Greatorex Doubles are classics but, with the ever increasing number of newly named snowdrops, are in danger of being forgotten & considered old fashioned.
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Luc,
I agree with you, G. 'Lavinia' is a lovely plant both in the detail of the individual plant and as a group. It holds itself well and looks well as a group. I am not the greatest fan of the double snowdrops as I feel some of them can look a bit 'disorganised' in the inner segments but, as Chris says, they are to be treasured for their connections and it would be a frightful shame to see them lose popularity in the face of newer introductions. They were such a development in their day and really no such leap forward has been made since with the exception of the yellow snowdrops. They were and remain excellent garden plants. Re double snowdrops, I am looking forward to G. 'Hill Poe', an Irish double snowdrop which I think is the neatest and most perfectly formed of the doubles and a real treasure.
Chris, go on treat yourself to that camera. It really is great enjoyment.
Padd
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Paddy - I agree with you about 'Hill Poe', which also has the merit that it is very vigorous - my initial planting has increased at an amazing rate - the clump does not get congested, as the new bulbs seem to push away from the mother bulbs (fortunately I planted mine where this 'spread' does not cause problems of intermingling with adjoining snowdrops).
It sounds as if your 'Hill Poe' might be at the same stage as mine - which is very close to flowering - I am always struck by this particular form where virtually the first thing to emerge is the flower bud & this opens before the scape/leaves have really got going.
I am thinking about a camera - honest!
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Thanks for the extensive explanation guys !
I'm an absolute -non- galantophile so far... but you are all making it difficult to keep it like that ;D
I might be tempted to have a go at a couple of these special doubles....
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I have had 'all' the Greatorex doubles. Different sources have different bulbs
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Mark,
When you say 'different sources have different bulbs", do you mean that what you receive from one supplier for, let us say G.'Lavinia', will be different from what another will supply or that one can source the various Greatorex doubles by searching through a range of suppliers?
Long winded, I'm afraid, but I hope you grasp what it is I have in mind.
And when you say 'have had', do you mean they 'died on you' (do you think some of them are not the best in the garden?) or that you tired of them and passed them on.
God, I am inquisitive! But then, never ask; never learn!
Paddy
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Okay, Paddy, you be nosey, I'll be interfering : I wouldn't be a bit surprised if six suppliers each sold a different, so-called 'Lavinia'
I think Mark means he has sourced all the greatorex doubles and most likely still has 'em.
I have a few of the old doubles, all from old family gardens, nice enough and stand up well enough to weather.
We've got some shoots up... it'll be a wee while before we have a flower though.
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I guess Mark means that some nurseries (sources) have some doubles, others have other (different) doubles. Yes Mark?
I hope those of you who have `Hill Poe' will post pictures in due course, not only in a general way but also showing detail both inside and outside. For years a double has been distributed as this in NZ but we now think it is probably `Jacquenetta.' It would therefore be great to have some definitive pictures. Thanks lads.
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no, what I have as Lavinia wont necessarily be what what Lesley supplies as Lavinia. One that can be told at a glance is 'Cordelia' with her raised 'arms'. I've had most of those supplied and now label them in the double bed as Greatorex double. I'm buying them one more time this year just to see
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Yes, Mark,
I do like the 'helicopter wings' as I call them myself - 'raised arms' as you call them - this indicates that you must have young children!
Whatever we call them, I'm sure someone has an official-type term, the raised outer segments add greatly to the charm of a snowdrop I think. Of course, this is only a personal preference.
Your 'Cordelia' is beautiful. Mine is above ground, flower coming along well, but is keeping itself tucked in as yet in this dreadful weather. Hope to see it soon, great plant indeed.
As for my query re cultivation of the Greatorex doubles - I can't remember which but I know I lost a clump of one of the doubles a few years ago for no obvious reason, couldn't figure it out at all, completely stumped, growing where there were other snowdrop clumps which were in perfect good health. They just didn't arrive one year, dug up and found no bulbs, complete mystery.
And on the supply question - the doubt about what is received from a supplier, I feel I have been lucky to date but I can definitely see that mistakes can be made and plants then grown on incorrectly labelled as a result. All adds to the fun of the gardener. Many thanks for reply. P.
Lesley,
As soon as G. 'Hill Poe' comes out I will post a photograph. Chris has it more advanced than I at present. Mine are not even above ground at the moment. Will wait patiently.
Paddy
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Lesely,
After a search over photographs from past years I have two photographs of G. 'Hill Poe'.
I realise you would like a clearer photograph of the inner segments for comparison purposes and I will try to remember that when it is in flower again. G. 'Hill Poe' is noted for the perfectly neat arrangement of the inner segments, all very well organised and tidy.
These photographs were taken in March of 2003.
Paddy
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Thanks Paddy. I'll have to refer back to these in the right season of course. Is it correct that Hill Poe is pronounced as Hill Po-ee?
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Lesley,
That's how I pronounce it anyway, Pooeee, and how I have heard others pronounce it also. It is written with one of those double dots above the 'o' but I am too lazy to go and search out that feature in 'Word'. When it comes into flower this year I will make an effort to get good clear photographs for you.
At risk of boring you, please allow me to quote from 'A Heritage of Beauty' by Dr. Charles Nelson, a publication of the Irish Garden Plant Society which deals with plants of Irish origin or connection:
'Hill Poe'
Date of origin: c 1900
Syn. G. plicatus "double"
Double snowdrop, usually with 5 outer tepals, white, and a mass (15 - 25) of evenly arranged and evenly sized inner tepals; a very regular flower, leaves grey-green, to 15cm long.
Origin: from James Hill Poe, Riverston, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
The best of the "double" snowdrops, this arose among wild snowdrops growing under a walnut tree in front of Riverston. It was introduced by the Giant Snowdrop Company, Hyde Lodge, Chalford, Gloucestershire, England, in the 1950s, the stock probably having been provided by David Shackleton, Beech Park, Clonsilla, Co. Dublin.
In a letter from Grallagh, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary (dated 12 February[no year]), to Miss Christine Shackleton, Miss Blanche Poe related the history:
"The snowdrops you ask about are the double Crimean ones. They are not species but a sport found by my father years ago growing under the walnut tree near the diningroom window at Riverston, you may remember there were masses of all sorts of spring flowers there. My father's Christian name was Hill, my Uncle's name was Bennett-Poe who was well known in the gardening world.
By the way, Riverston garden is a wilderness now, I hear you can't even see the paths in the walled garden, a pity"
Awards: PC (RHS 19 February 1974)
The entry goes on to give references which I will not include here.
As an Irish snowdrop it holds a special place in my garden. The Irish Garden Plant Society is an organisation with aims very similar to those of the NCCPG, National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens. I am a long time member of the IGPS and the present editor of the quarterly newsletter.
Paddy
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Paddy it's not the raised petals that indicate 'Cordelia' but the raised arms above the inner mark. In good examples there should be no smudge between the two
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Now I'm confused about Cordelia. When you're saying 'above'
are you referring to the way the flower is presented to our view,
ie upside down? Or do I have to imagine it turned rightside up?
What I see in your picture: a pair of solid dark green legs, then
a pale green rectangular body. If that body is instead two pale green
upraised arms, then I see the same pale green colour between them.
Or is that an artifact of the photo?
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Thanks so much Paddy. Far from boring me, I'm delighted with your extra information and history, all new to me. Isn't Miss Blanche's comment so sad but so often appropriate - that an old or previously wonderful garden is now "a wilderness." I guess it happens all over the world when the people who made it in the first place move away or die and others with less knowledge and less commitment take over. And some of course, like my small but rather decent garden in Timaru up the coast, disappear altogether. It was bulldozed for new housing.
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Lesley I hope You were able to take some of the plants befor the bulldozers came.
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This is the inner petal of 'Cordelia' showing the raised arms
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Mark,
JUST SEEN THAT YOU HAVE POSTED WHILE I WAS WRITING SO WILL COME BACK TO THIS AGAIN.
I'm afraid you've lost me. You'll have to go back to the drawing board with me on this one. I'm in the same situation as Diane here. I see it as one of those blobs, beloved of psychologists, at which I must gaze and then say what I see.
If you have a minute, do please give more explanation on this one. I still love those with the raised outer segments and as for the raised arms, I will have to await further instruction.
Lesely,
Glad you liked the bit of background material on G. 'Hill Poe'.
As with Miss Blanche Poe, I had an article recently for the newsletter here from a lady who, because of her advanced years, felt she was coming to the end of her gardening career. The garden was an old one, in the family for a long time and she was wilderness, brambles and tree seedlings as the future that was in store. I suppose one must remain philosophical about such things and realise that our gardens are transient things and we can but enjoy them while we are here.
Paddy
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OOOOOOKKAAAAAAAAAAY,
I see what you mean but it really wouldn't have struck me as being very clear. Nonetheless it is a good aide memoire.
Many thanks, Paddy
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Hi Lesley
have just been looking at the old forum and found some more good pics of hill poe (had a bit of a deja vu moment too....) - scroll down to the 23 & 24 Jan 2005.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/discus/messages/8/11.html?1114297185
regards
John
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Here is the photo I posted. One thing that 'Hill Poë' hates in being moved. Once moved it huffs by having irreguar inners just like an ordinary double nivalis. It takes a year or do to settle down
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Here's a lovely well shaped elwesii, e. flore pleno 'Natalie Garten'. Lasy year it had long extra petals but this year they are very short. Once established it should perform better.
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Mark,
Now there's a snowdrop with a bit of body, a well-built chap indeed. Great fullness to the outer segments, lovely effect. It only just scrapes into the 'flore pleno' category though it seems.
I was speaking with Roger Norman of Ivycroft Plants last week and we were talking about the timing of moving of snowdrops. He is adamant that those snowdrops described as not performing true to form after being moved are those which have been moved in 'the green'. Quite sensibly he says that you cannot disturb and break the roots of a plant and expect it to perform well in the following year. Better, he says, to wait until the leaves die down before moving. It's common sense really, I suppose.
Paddy
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Hi Paddy - I have to agree with Roger, to the extent that with 'dormant' bulbs the risk of damage to the bulb, and any consequent set back, is minimal (I have certainly found this to be the case in practise, particularly with the bulbs that I have had from Roger).
I have no problems, in principle, with taking bulbs 'in the green' but it is of course a bit of a lottery where you (1) are totally dependent upon the care with which the bulb is dug up in the first place and (2) have no control over how long the bulb is out of the ground before you get it (I am sure that we can all relate tales of 'in the green' bulbs that arrive looking very limp).
My preference is for dormant bulbs, followed by bulbs grown/supplied in pots, followed by 'in the green' bulbs - whilst more commercial growers are moving over to dormant bulbs, a great many still insist on supplying 'in the green', so to some extent we are stuck, with little or no choice.
I was looking at Janet Lecore's website (Judy's Snowdrops) earlier today and I see that she very sensibly recommends that 'in the green' bulbs should be left to soak in water for 24 hours, in order to revive them, before being planted out.
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Thanks for the extensive explanation guys !
I'm an absolute -non- galantophile so far... but you are all making it difficult to keep it like that ;D
I might be tempted to have a go at a couple of these special doubles....
Hi Luc - with an opening like that, I would not want to miss the chance to convert you to liking snowdrops!
If you send me your address privately, I will send you a small selection of snowdrops in the summer, as dormant bulbs.
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As soon as G. 'Hill Poe' comes out I will post a photograph. Chris has it more advanced than I at present. Mine are not even above ground at the moment. Will wait patiently.
Hi Paddy - I was checking my 'Hill Poe' today - the very distinctive, rounded, flower buds are sitting there, just above the surface - I should think that the flowers will open, very close to the ground, within the next 7-10 days.
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Here's a lovely well shaped elwesii, e. flore pleno 'Natalie Garten'
Hi Mark - not heard of this one before - can you give us any background information about it?
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Hi Chris,
I had a look at G. 'Hill Poe', well more a look at where they are planted. They are just barely peeping above a layer of gravel which covers this bed.
I'll have to wait for a while.
Yes, it seems that the practice of lifting snowdrops is changing from 'in the green' to dormant.
Paddy
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Mark,
With my eye taken by the novel, G. 'Natalie Garten', I forgot about your posting of G. 'Hill Poe'. The photograph illustrates very well the neatness of the arrangement of the inner segments. It's a lovely plant.
Paddy
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Mark
My thanks too for the pictures of Hill Poe, for some reason I had taken against this, (probably because the doubles are not my favourites), but having seen the perfection of the inner segments I have had to change my mind!
Brian
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Brian,
It is indeed a beautiful flower. even if you are not a fan of the doubles Hill Poe will appeal to you as it is so neat and well arranged in its part, a simply beautiful flower.
Of course, it is a plant of Irish origin - what more would you expect?
Paddy
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Hi Paddy - much to my surprise, the first of my g. 'Hill Poe' came into flower today - cannot wait for the whole clump to flower, which should be quite a show.
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Well Paddy
You will be pleased to know that David Shackleton is one of my personal favourites...although of course there are a lot of East Anglian snowdrops including all those Greatorex doubles!
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Today my father has found a galanthus elwesii with only 2 outer segments and 2 inners.
i don't know if it will be stable for next year.
He also has several Galanthus elwesii with green tips on the outers, 1 is more green than the others , with green stripes.
i know that green tips occur frequently.
what do you think about the plant with only 2 inner and outer segments?
The green mark on the inners has the form of a fat H, strange.
Wim
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Hi Wim
I would be very interested to see a picture of the 2 petal plant - I cannot imagine what it will look like. Fingers crossed for this feature being stable in future years. I seem to remember reading that there was a 2 petal plant in Australia called rabbit ears (or bunny? or donkey?) or something like that (not sure what species it is/was) - maybe Paul can tell us more.
The green striped Elwesii sounds interesting too - is it as green as G Elwesii Rosemary Burnham?
regards
John
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Chris,
Your 'Hill Poe' are well ahead of mine which are just barely peeking about ground, so I must wait for a while. The weather was very bright and clear here today and I managed to take a selection of photographs but did not manage to post any - son and girlfriend visiting, so much wine consumed - but will try to get there tomorrow.
Brian,
G. 'David Shackleton' is a prized snowdrop for me also but, funnily enough, David always denied any knowledge of having or passing on this snowdrop. Of course, the snowdrops of East Anglia are highly prized here as well as with you.
Wim,
I have been looking through photographs taken today in the garden and noticed a Galanthus 'Fred's Giant' with four outer segments. I must go back to the books and see if this is a regular occurence or not. Let us know more about your two and two G. elwesii. Sounds interesting. I find G. elwesii is very variable and close examination will show great variations among even one clump.
Paddy
Paddy
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John,
That rabbit-eared snowdrop - might it be G. Sharlockii
Paddy
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Hi Paddy
I have found the reference to 'Rabbit Ears' - it is an Elwesii selected in 2000 by Mitchell Carle, Australia - possessing only 2 outer segments.
cheers
John
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I seem to remember reading that there was a 2 petal plant in Australia called rabbit ears (or bunny? or donkey?) or something like that (not sure what species it is/was)
Hi John - the Australian snowdrop is g. elwesii 'Rabbits Ears' & was selected by Mitchell Carle in 2000. As you say, it is unique in possessing only 2 outer segments.
As of a year ago, there were only 5 bulbs known to exist and none of these had been distributed. Paul Tyerman & myself have been unable to make contact with Mitchell, so the fate of this snowdrop is unknown.
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I have been looking through photographs taken today in the garden and noticed a Galanthus 'Fred's Giant' with four outer segments. I must go back to the books and see if this is a regular occurence or not.
Paddy - nothing in the 'Bible' that I could see, but it does say that there are several clones doing the rounds, under the same name - I know that Ian Christie list 'Fred's Giant 1' & 'Fred's Giant 2' on his Nursery website - perhaps he might see your posting and comment.
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I have just had a look at ebay - can you believe a Wendy's Gold sold for over £40 yesterday!
John
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Last week I have been following the issue on feeding plants with potash. I do want to go further in this matter, discussing the essence on it. I am looking forward to see some reactions on this post...
On this liquid fertilizer: It certainly makes us questioning, isn't it? In fact it is quite logic that too much nitrogen will damage the bulb. Nitrogen makes the leafs go longer, provides lush growth of leafs but does not stimulate bold plants. Biologically speaking, a bulb is only a modified stem. I provided last year an organic K-fertilizer. Indeed, like we could read in the bulb logs (or the replies on the sgrc), this organic thing causes white strings on the soil. On the other side, I do not think that this would harm the bulbs. Mycelia ( plural of mycelium as we call these white strings) are in fact the underground growth of fungi. The mushrooms are only the fruit of this plants. These mycelia do provide (combined together with micro-organisms) essential nutrition for the plants. I read already some different times that snowdrops are living together with mycorrhiza. It is a symbiosis to set it in scientific terms. Although, I have never seen it to be proven for Galanthus. It would be very important to know this for sure as it should explain why quite some snowdrops that are transplanted in the green, die down. Probably, in those cases there's no possible mycorrhiza due to a different pH, no material originating from the place where the bulb was dug out.
There is on this K- (potash) - thing another small problem. With us, it is not easy to find pure K-fertilzer (the white powder that is mentioned in the bulb log. It seems to be for professionals...The formula of it would be K2 SO4. No garden centre in the neighbourhood provides it.....
This post has been copied to the Bulb Log Feedback 17/01/07 : http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=191.new;topicseen#new where the discussion continues
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John,
Thanks for your message. The link in the mail from the forum doesn't work, that's why I post this message overhere. The findings from last years are all doing fine, thanks. I 've been chipping them and some of them have been twinscaled by others. I do want to post a picture of another snowdrop I selected some 5 years ago. I am curious upon the reactions. I have named this selection Galanthus nivalis 'Melanie S.' It has been named after my wife; This Galanthus was found in a very big colony of Galanthus nivalis and Galanthus nivalis 'flore pleno'. No single others species can be involved in parentage....
(http://)
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Hi Valentin
I like the curve of the outside, how neat is the inside? Can we see the inside please? It has a really chunky pedicel - does it always hang at a slight angle like that?
cheers
John
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difficult for me to make a good picture , but here is one (today)
Wim
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Hi John,
Here's more from the inside of Galanthus nivalis Melanie S..
(http://)
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Wim,
This finding of you , the G. elwesii with the two outer and inner petals sounds very interesting. I would be very surprised if this feature should not return. It seems to be constant. At the 'sneeuwklokjeszondag' in Vordenstein (Antwerp) I will give a lecture on making selections, selecting new forms of snowdrops and bulk them up. I would be very pleased to have a picture of this finding to show it. Of course, you can mail it to my private e-mailaddress if you want to do so: valentinwijnen@yahoo.co.uk. It should be at least at a 1.5 MB, OK?
Bedankt op voorhand! Tot ziens!
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Hi Wim
thank you very much for the photograph of the Galanthus Elwesii 2 Petal form. It is a most interesting plant. I see that the flowering bulb has a daughter bulb developing and I hope that next year you will be able to separate this, so that you may place it somewhere away from the parent plant, as a safeguard against disease.
Your father has a very good eye for finding unusual Galanthus in his travels. I believe that I remember other interesting finds made by him in the past. Please pass on my appreciation for his perceptive eye – I myself have spent so many hours perusing nursery pot plants, hoping to discover that elusive rare find, only to fail miserably on every outing. I would be interested to know if your father has encountered his finds in the countryside or at nurseries selling potted plants.
During my reading of both the new and old forums I have enjoyed hearing about the Galanthus finds that you and your father have discovered. I applaud you both for having a most observant eye.
With my thanks
John
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Valentin, this SnowdropSunday, if I understand ( or guess)correctly sounds very interesting: can you give us more details?
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As Chris said earlier there are more than one clone of Galanthus 'Fred's Giant' doing the rounds. The snowdrop book, as we refer to it, says that the original clump of G. 'Fred's Giant' was quite varied and it seems to have continued to be varied in the clones now distributed under this name. Such confusion is a nuisance really and it's a pity it should have ever arisen.
I mentioned in a previous post that one flower of G. 'Fred's Giant' had four outer perianth segments. Here it is for your attention.
Any comments from anyone who has experienced this previously would be very welcome. Also, any comments re the liklihood of this abberation remaining stable.
Galanthus 'Fred's Giant' with four outer perianth segments.
Galanthus 'Fred's Gaint' normal three outer perianth segments.
Paddy
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A few other snowdrops open/opening today.
Galanthus 'Anglesey Abbey' This has an inclination to produce poculiform flowers and this year I have one clump which has all poculiform flowers.
Galanthus 'Brocklamont Seedling' A small plant but good strong marking on the inner segments.
Galanthus elwesii monostictus My favourite snowdrops for many years as it was the first 'different' snowdrop in the garden besides G. nivalis. It has proved to be a very good garden plant, increasing well while being strong and healthy.
Galanthus 'Beatrix Stanley
Galanthus 'Jaquenetta'
Paddy
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Just a few more:
Galanthus 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'
Galanthis 'Ophelia'
Galanthus 'Wendy's Gold'
Galanthus 'Winnifrede Matthias'
Paddy
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My first attempt at posting a photo - indeed the first photo of any sort that I have taken in many a long year!
Picture quality not great, and the sun had almost disappeared when I took it, so the flowers had virtually closed up, but I wanted to go through the process!
g. ikariae are one of my favourite snowdrops. This small clump came from stock originating from Washfield Nursery (Elizabeth Strangman) and has been flowering now for about 3 weeks.
These bulbs are a good example of 'in the green' bulbs that have been lifted & transported properly - they were only planted just over a year ago, on 4th January 2006 and show no obvious signs of setback.
In the background is g. plicatus 'Amy Doncaster', which also came 'in the green' - it was planted on 2nd March 2006 and looks like it will come into flower quite soon.
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Chris,
Hopefully this is to be the first of many and we can look forward to many more photographs from your garden.
Not such a technophobe as you indicated.
Paddy
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hoorah! Chris, super start, hope there will be no stopping you now!
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Yes thank you Joakim, the bulldozing started after I sold, and it was down to the new owner. If anyone thinks moving house can be traumatic, that's the least of it when moving garden and nursery as well. Take my word for it.
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Those "raised arms" on Marks pic of `Cordelia' look like a rather jolly pair of green (Irish?) shorts, with shoulder straps. Great for gardening, in summer.
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Lesley, you mentioned on the crocus page "How easy (weasy) it is to get distracted. Suddenly a crocus thread is all about cats/ pigeons/ weasels etc." ...... now do you see how weasily easy it is ? ;D ;) ;D
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Thanks for the encouragement, Maggi & Paddy - I will have to see about buying a camera!
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So far as the 2 petalled snowdrop is concerned, MY fingers are crossed that it is thoroughly gone from this world. The 3 petalled versions are what snowdrops are all about surely. Nor would one want a 2 petalled version of a trillum or a weldenia. The very rare flower that appears on the latter, is simply a tempoary aberration and thank goodness doesn't repeat. Those people who seek the bizarre occurances such as these would also probable welcome a dog born with 3 legs. No way!
Having said all that, and OK, I'm down from my soap box, I do have an address and phone number for Michael Carle. I'd let someone have it privately.
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I do indeed Maggi. A question for you or Ian now. On the old Forum I sometimes got a picture that didn't appear except as a little red X in a small box. When I right clicked on this it said "show picture" and up came the pic. The same X occasionally happens here (Wims's pics this time) but the same procedure doesn't work, the X comes back. Any suggestions?
And thanks John, for the link to `Hill Poe' in the old Forum. Really nice to visit back there. HP is certainly very distinctive and what we were growing as that has the outer green marks of `Jacquenetta' so not HP. On the other hand, ours is the wrong shape for Jac. Back to the drawing board I suppose.
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Lesley, in the old forum the red "X" you refer to meant that a phot had not loaded when the page opened but was "in the ether" somewhere and would open with a click, as you suggest. I believe that the difference here is that those red"x" marks now show where a photo has failed to load altogether, i.e. the coding was wrong or incomplete, so the picture is usually the one displayed at the end of the post, "under the line", if you follow me. It is what has happened to me when I have mis-posted a picture.
This is how I read the situation, Ian is asleep and Fred is likely still outside wrestling another rampant clematis, or you might get another answer. :-\
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Thanks Maggi, I guess that's it. It was just that John thanked Wim for a pic of the 2 petalled snowdrop and that didn't appear here so I thought it must have been one of the Xs. No matter.
John, you mentioned not ever finding that special something among batches of plants. Maybe you just haven't got the right "eye" for it as Wim's father obviously has. I occasionally find something of great interest, but my late mother had a real genius for it. She would walk across a clover filled lawn - as most NZ lawns are - and find a dozen 4 leaved clovers, not actually looking for them at all. She always said it was just a momentary break in the pattern of 3 that made them leap up at her - so to speak. I weed my matting plants such as Campanula arvatica or Hypericum kelleri looking for those same breaks, of texture, colour or shape. Just practice really.
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Lesley, Wim's photo of the malformed snowdrop is on page ten of this thread, reply #147
In the photo the flower just looks thin! I will repost it here in a minute.
[attachthumb=1]
Wim's two petalled snowdrop
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Hi All
I guessed that the 2 segment snowdrop would not be to everyone’s liking but - 'malformed'... 'aberrant... wishing it thoroughly gone from this world'. Surely all a bit strong. ;)
I myself consider these genetic variations to add to the interest of what is basically a green and white three-petal flower. My intention is that the plants given space in my garden will contain easily recognised flowers covering a long flowering period. This means preserving and propagating the 'yellows', 'pure whites', 'unusually large', the 'Diggorys' and 'Godfrey Owens' and yes - even the 2 petalled!
I must agree that a 2 petal version of a trillium would be completely wrong – I mean… you would have to rename the plant to a ‘Bilium’! ;D
With my kind regards
John
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Lesley,
You must remember that this is an area of the forum for those with a more than normal interest in snowdrops - actually, the abberant gardeners of the world! With such an interest people will always be on the lookout for the unusual, abnormal, different or just plain ugly and odd.
Now, the question really is whether or not these plants are considered beautiful and worth their place in the garden. To the collector their differences alone make them interesting. To the general gardener this alone would not be enough for them to merit attention or garden space.
You will see this behaviour reflected regularly in people's plant choices. How often a plant is chosen because it is interesting rather than beautiful. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder', I suppose.
Of the abberant snowdrops, a two-petalled one would not be particularly abnormal.
Paddy
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Galanthus 'Brocklamont Seedling' A small plant but good strong marking on the inner segments.
Paddy - an interesting seedling - is this from Brocklamount House in Co Antrim?
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My garden is packed with twin petalled and single petalled snowdrops. There are many too with no outer petals. All thanks to last weekends very strong winds
Brocklamont House belongs to a friend of mine. When she moved there all that was in the garden were mixed nivalis singles and doubles. This is a selection
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Lesley , Thank you for your kind comments , i will burn the 2-petaled snowdrop ;D ;D ;D Last year VanhoutteFreddy also found a Galanthus nivalis 'Viridapice' with 4 'ears'. you will certainly like this one :) I wait to see how it will flower this year.
I agree that diggory and many other blewbury Tarts are much more attractive and unique.
all the best , Wim
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Just starting to settle in but not as big as it should be G Comet and the second bought as Caucasicus
I like big in snowdrops, gracefull ones or those with just attitude so I can see them and don't have to examine their entrails to find a difference. I think that too many snowdrops have been named though I keep saying I've got enough but I still keep acquiring them. I suppose there are still one or two on my hit list like Marjorie Brown and Sutton Court so I will have to wait till next year I suppose.
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Ian I wouldnt bother with Marjorie. Put your money in to something better
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I suppose there are still one or two on my hit list like Marjorie Brown
Ian - take care, my understanding is that this is one of those snowdrops where more than one form is circulating under this name - however the original 'Marjorie Brown', as described in the 'Snowdrops' book, remains special.
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Ian,
Two very nice photographs. Two good snowdrops, doing very well by the looks of them. Isn't there always another one to add to the garden!
Paddy
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Paddy there always is ;D.
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Paddy and Mark I should also have said that the Marjorie Brown I saw was in Michael Barons garden in Hampshire (one of the National collections) and it was big and bold. But I will watch out as you say and hopefully see before I buy being the maxim
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Oh dear, I do seem to have put a cat among the galanthophile pigeons! In my defence I'd like to say that I'm of course always interested in Paddy's "interesting" variants. My concern is that many such variants are caused by the action of viruses and those surely, should be discouraged. Other plants can become infected. This is particularly the case with variegated plants. The Iris unguicularis with streaky flowers is a case in point.
Whether the 2 petalled snowdrop is constant I suppose is yet to be tested but for my part, I think the 3 petalled forms are the closest to perfect that it's possible for them to be and if one has perfect, what can surpass it? Years ago I got over needing every possible species or variety within a genus. Looking for drabas taught me that lesson. 90% of them are miserable and boring weeds. Clematis, it seems and according to Admin, is another such teacher.
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Oh Dear Lesley,
Your cat is always welcome among the galanthophiles pigeons. A bit of teasing and joking is an absolute must for life. What a terrible life it would be if we took snowdrops that seriously. They are just an interest; much like people who bake cakes, I suppose!
Of course, you are perfectly correct when you say that too many mutants, variations and sick snowdrops are named as though they were special when they should be thrown into the fire or the compost bin or just left alone as one of the normal variations which occur within many species and cultivars.
Like yourself, I have no intention of collecting the complete 843 different snowdrops; I'm going to be happy when 800.
A Gardening Obsession?
Paddy
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What a terrible life it would be if we took snowdrops that seriously. They are just an interest
Paddy many people are single mindedly obsessed with snowdrops and go to great lengths to get what they need including stealing. I know someone, collection never seen, who claims to have 1100 distinct snowdrops in the collection. As you say it's an interest and not a race. This year may be my last at the Galanthus Gala due to stampedes and very ignorant people
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Mark,
My poor memory fails me at this moment, but I was reading the snowdrop book last night and read where, following one of these snowdrop days at one of the well-known snowdrop places, a clump, and the only clump in existence at that, of a particularly lovely snowdrop vanished. It has never been seen since. It's a bit like those who purchase art to have it for their own enjoyment only. A bit foolish.
I have'nt ever been to the Galanthus Gala and it's unlikely that I ever will. There are plenty of snowdrops available without going there.
And for Lesley - my comment about the 843 or 800 varieties is just a number picked out of the air! I'm sure there are thousands more!
Paddy
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Yes Carolyn Elwes had elwesii 'Carolyn Elwes' stolen. They have never appeared but one day they will be seen. Many people do not allow visitors at snowdrop time. A similar situation happened in National Botanic Gardens, Dublin a few years back
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At least snowdrops stay still for the collectors who must be related to those birdwatchers who maintain a "life list" and travel the globe to put a few more ticks on it.
Since I live far from an area where named forms are easily purchased, I am trying to produce my own new varieties. I have about four clones of poculiform elwesii. I hope they may prove to be neutral mothers whose offspring will show the unusual characteristics of the pollen parents. This could save a chunk of my remaining lifespan if I could develop a yellow, or a Trym-like, or any other distinctive form in one generation instead of needing two generations for the recessives to resort and reveal themselves.
Has anyone tried this? They are in bud already, so I must bestir myself to find some exciting pollen.
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I guess obsessives are there in every interest or hobby on earth. Galanthus of course are harmless to the others around but when one lives with an old car obsessive and the driveway is almost totally blocked because of them, and they sit around and gently rust, and weeds grow up under them, and they're covered with cobwebs, and take up every hour God sends when the lawn needs mowing, and.....
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Lesley, if Roger is sitting around in the drive, growing weeds under him and getting cobwebs, throw a bucket of water over him and tell him to get busy on fixing his old cars instead!!
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Mark,
Reading the account of the diappearance of G. elwesii 'Carolyn Elwes' I got the impression that the author, and by implication some others, had some idea of who might be responsible or at least had their suspicions. How mean of someone to do this. It really is against the spirit of gardening.
Diane,
What is the situation with snowdrops in British Columbia? Is there a good selection available? An interest among gardeners? Which do you grow yourself and which are your favourites?
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I got the impression that the author, and by implication some others, had some idea of who might be responsible or at least had their suspicions.
Paddy - you got the right impression!!
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Here is a picture of g. 'Ailwyn', which has been flowering now for about 2 weeks - came as a single 'in the green' bulb last year & has already split - interesting to note that the inner segment marks are different.
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Yes Carolyn Elwes had elwesii 'Carolyn Elwes' stolen. They have never appeared but one day they will be seen. Many people do not allow visitors at snowdrop time. A similar situation happened in National Botanic Gardens, Dublin a few years back
Sadly, these are not random occurences and I heard recently of one person who will no longer open their garden after finding the same person trying to dig up their 'South Hayes' for the 2nd time in 3 years - in between times they hid the 'South Hayes' to good effect.
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Maggi I really meant the cars, not Roger but all the same, not a bad idea. Most he has no intention of fixing, just accumulating.
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I knew exactly what you meant, Lesley, I just thought that throwing a bucket of water over Roger would cheer you up re the cars!!
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This year may be my last at the Galanthus Gala due to stampedes and very ignorant people
The problems last year were exacerbated by having what looked like about 400 people trying to squeeze into a Plant Sales Marquee that could only accommodate about 50 people comfortably, with the inevitable consequences - as a former Second Row Forward I had not anticipated too many problems in this sort of environment, but I was wrong!
It is to be hoped that lessons were learnt & that the situation will be improved this year.
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It would indeed cheer me up and in fact, I need cheering up quite often.
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Right-ho, I'll need to think of some other things that might be helpful to cheer you then !
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Just call me "Holmes"
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Mark & Chris,
A number of years back Mary and I were called on at the last minute to help a local group make up sufficient numbers, for printing purposes, to issue a pamphlet advertising gardens open to the public. Not having the heart to say 'No' we suddenly became one of these gardens open to the public.
It was at times a most enjoyable experience and at others the most bizarre - seeing people oblivious to the world around them taking a bit here and a bit there. Worst of all was a lady who a year after a visit to our garden informed us of how much money she had made from the plants she had grown from the cuttings she had taken in our garden - and she told us this full of pride and waiting for our compliments on how well she had done.
We are no longer part of this garden group, though the local garden clubs are always welcomed.
I was in a garden where there were numerous seedlings of echiums, one of a group standing chatting to the owner, when one of our group got down on her knees, produced a dessert spoon and a plastic bag and began digging up the seedlings and bagging them up, stood up and declared, 'they should grow away well when I put them out at home'. As the soccer players say, 'Gobsmacked.'
You will have heard of those who bring their umbrella and drop the plants into it; the folded newspaper is another one; deep pockets are unimaginative but still regularly used.
May the thief of 'Carolyn Elwes' rot in hell!
Paddy
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Very nice Maggi but I think the bucket of water frequently applied would do the trick. A while back I threw a glass of pinot noir but most of the damn thing missed (I was in a rage) and hit the curtains behind him. Had to take them down and dry clean. Should have used a nice chardonnay!
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Getting trampled to buy a plant is hardly much fun, but I guess it allows the young and fit to buy plants that otherwise might just get passed around to those of us who are more decrepit.
We sometimes have crowded salerooms, particularly at a show where the exhibits take up the main hall and the sales are relegated to a committee room. We give out numbered tickets starting at the beginning of the show, and allow only twenty to be in the saleroom at a time. This is probably a requirement of the Fire Department, but certainly helps those of us who like a bit of space.
At big sales, like the one held yearly at the local university, the sale is in the gym, so there is lots of space. Potential buyers line up outside an hour or so in advance of opening. Any rarities are put in the silent auction, so everyone has a chance to buy them, not just the fastest sprinter.
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What is the situation with snowdrops in British Columbia? Is there a good selection available? An interest among gardeners? Which do you grow yourself and which are your favourites?
Paddy, There has never been a large number of snowdrop bulbs for sale here except for the usual offerings of nivalis and elwesii from the Netherlands. Individuals have imported named forms from England, like Magnet and Sam Arnott, and eventually they pass some on to friends. Some other species have appeared from somewhere - there is a woronowii that has been passed around for the past 40 years at least. Others have scoured abandoned farms and areas along roadsides where people have tossed their garden debris over the past century. A couple of such collectors then sell some bulbs - there will be a dish full of bulbs next to the cash desk of local garden centres, with a little sign and a photo to show what the bulbs will look like. By this means, I acquired a green-tipped woronowii about 35 years ago. It was labelled "Viridapicis". More recently, I have bought a green-tipped elwesii and an elwesii hiemalis. I have found most of my variants among the masses of self-seeded elwesii in my grandmother's 90 year old garden. In the last couple of years, small pots of flowering woronowii have been on sale locally, new imports, labelled "nivalis". I search through them all to find some a little bit different, and have planted them together near my original two clones, so they can cross themselves and perhaps produce something exciting for my grandchildren.
I have been acquiring snowdrop seeds whenever I can, so I have a few other species.
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On the question of stealing snowdrops one serious local galanthophile I know codes all his plants so that they cannot be identified by the labels. He also has a computerised record of a grid of the whole garden no mean feat given that it is not a small garden so in the event of the coded label being lost identifiction can still be made. Just goes to show the experiences related on this thread may not be one offs. Obviously there are some nutters who will stop at nothing to own just one more drop or anything other rare plant for that matter. Having had my rant I'm off to bed now and as its a cold night with snow forecast I wondered is there any chance of borrowing your balaclava tonight Maggi? ;)
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All mine are numbered. On my open days I remove the flowers from all my rarities and those given to me before getting into circulation. I hand out a laminated list on my open days showing what they all are except those I dont want known. I then take back the lists
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I visited the holder of a bulbous National Collection who not only had everything numbered, but had memorized all the codes. As someone who needs to have her finger under a phone number and refer to it three times while dialing, I was very impressed.
I hope you make a bouquet of your blossoms, Mark, so at least they get admired by you. That's a good way to learn more about them, too, as that's about the only time I can tell if one is scented. It's too cold outside to smell anything.
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Hi All
I am saddened by the stories I have read over the last 2 pages. My experience of gardening throughout my life has been of friendly generous people always willing to pass on experience / knowledge and cuttings or offsets. Whenever anyone visits my garden I would feel that I haven't been a good host if they were to leave empty handed. Even strangers walking their dogs have gone away with pots of this or that when they have stopped to say good morning and commented on a plant.
For the last few years I had been trying to encourage my parents to open their large garden for the local hospice but having read this thread I have completely changed my mind. I don’t like the thought of a load of strangers bulldozing around with ‘spoons, newspapers, umbrellas, etc’ saying what a jolly time they are having stealing things. The idea of the same person coming back another year to try and dig up again what they failed to thieve previously – horrible - why were they allowed in a second time?…
For me one of the many joys of gardening is for people to visit and look at what I am growing (or attempting to grow!) and I shall still be happy for visitors to my garden. Though from now on they may only be allowed on the premises until I am shown proof of identity (passports and photographic driving licenses accepted)!!!
Regards
John
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Getting what You want in a sale has nothing to do with being young strog and fast. It was in a bulbsale mostly women at the age 55+ that were doing the pushing. I have some problem pushing back on older women but if a 25 year old man would push I would hold my ground.
I woman was sitting saying Oh my God all the time she must have been shocked at th avent seeing her felow gardners bulldoze their way.
Regarding thieving I have problem comprahending that people invited to Your garden steal. Taking a cut of a bush that is hanging from a garden out to the side walk I can understand that people do. Espesially if it is a big bush. Taking a hole plant from a pot or even the pot is not something I can understand then the owner does not have it any more and that You can never justify how much You try.
I was once tempted to take a cuttiing from a huge buganvilla vith varigated foliage but thought that the ends are the preitiest so I did not take any. I few weeks later they had decimated it 3 m rather than the 3cm I would.
If anyone would take a cutting from any big bush of mine I would not mind doing it of small ones and hence negatively influence the growth would not be appriciated, nor any selling of any of them.
Paddy I bet the You were extra upset that she had sold cuttings and not given them around to stread Your plants (and the joy) but to make money off it.
Not showing off exclusive plants might stop the worst thefts, but should not be needed.
To end with a nicer tone my galanthus are starting to show some foliage so they survived or were not dead when I planted them.
Take care
Joakim
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John,
You will have got the message that to those who have suffered bad behaviour in their gardens it is a terribly disappointing experience. This is because, just as you said, people welcome others into their garden and are enthusiatic to share their hobby with others who show and interest. This is what makes it so upsetting and so hurtful.
However, there are far far more gardeners who are a pleasure to meet, to have in one's garden and whose gardens are a pleasure to visit that the wretches we have written about. Your attitude typifies what I mean; people are welcomed, a plant, cutting or whatever is given if possible and a nice time is had by all.
Most gardeners are a good bunch, don't worry about that, but there are some nutters out there.
Paddy
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That's 14 pages folks-and I still think the little white flowers all look the same :o ;D :P
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just wait to next month!!!
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Groan from Maggi! :-[
Mr Admin tells me the responsibilities of Moderator are many and onerous, and I KNOW I should be impartial, but I can't help it : I am with David Nicholson on this one!!
Sorry!
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David - how could you!....
And Maggi - tut tut
;D ;D ;D
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Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah David & Maggi,
Don't be spoilsports. They're looooooooovely plants.
Paddy
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Good Man, John.
You tell them.
Paddy
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Now, Boys, be fair, I didn't say they weren't lovely, I just said they all look the same......
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to me!
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Yup, that's exactly what I said as well ;)
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I must admit that 50% of them look the same to me too - but I am learning. ;)
John
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I guess I sit somewhere between Maggi/Ian and Mark/Paddy on this one. I certainly want lots, with many variations (fat chance here) but I don't need every one. Those raised or originating in Ireland would be an attraction to the Irishmen, understandably, just as I have a sneaking affection for exotic plants raised in NZ. So do go on posing pictures and discussion (I'm sure you will) as I'll bet there are at least 3 people out there who are hanging on every word :)
On the sorry subject of stealing from gardens, I think I've been incredibly lucky. When I lived in another garden and had a large clump of the double Trillium grandiflorum growing under my letter box at the bottom of quite a long, steep path and many metres away from my in house sight line, it was never touched though many people came up to the house to ask about it, even the postman once.
Another time, another very large garden, I was really distressed to have a primula (`Inverewe') stolen as I had imported it and couldn't replace, it being sterile and no source in NZ. It was on my mind for months. Then the next spring, there it was near a yellow rhododendron. I had planted it out and totally forgotten that fact. Senior moments even 20 years ago!
I'm not sure that there's ever been anything stolen at all - perhaps a few cutting maybe - from any of my gardens, even those in my previously much larger nursery. Fingers crossed though!
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John on opening gardens I would always recommend the experience. I did this some 5 years ago for the local hospice and we had several hundred visitors over 2 aftrenoons. In fact someone told me that over 1000 tickets had been sold. I felt that it was a rewarding experience even if one lady out of all of those visitors tried to take seeds of anything she fancied and was quite upset when I stopped her. Everyone else was interested and appreciative and I thoroughly enjoyed it so don't let this chit chat put you off encouraging your parents. On a note of caution I was warned that it was a good idea to keep the curtains of the house drawn so as not to advertise possessions as I am informed there are a great many more other thieves than plant ones.
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On reflection: it seems just possible to me that those who fail to notice the minute differences between one snowdrop cultivar and another are possibly myopic. This, unfortunately, is a common complaint in those of advancing years. It is sad that the pleasures of galanthophilia are denied them, that they should suffer so in their golden years when otherwise their appreciation of the finer things of life is at its best.
I think I shall slip away now and shed a salty tear on their behalf but no, I must rush home, grab a bite to eat and drive 80 miles - I heard there is a slightly different form of a particular snowdrop just after opening in a garden...somewhere in Ireland. No, seriously, I am off to a gardening talk.
I shall travel with a heavy heart, saddened by the fate of otherwise great people.
Paddy
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Paddy, sorry, but I found that difficult to read even with me specs on. Could you repeat it please in larger type on a white background with the odd green smudge! ;D
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Paddy
While I accept that are plenty people that are myopic there may be an equal number that have green blotches clouding their vision. 8)
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I am arranging a SAGA Tours bus to Waterford.
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Oh, SAGA ! I mis-read that and thought you meant SAJA, the French Alpine Club: I'm sure they would enjoy the visit, just couldn't think why they would need David in North East Scotland to arrange it for them!!
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The Ulster Group is heading to Counties Cork and Limerick this summer
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Isn't SAGA the acronym for sex and games for the aged? ???
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SAGA?
Is this the Scottish Anti-Galanthophile Association?
Ah, listen here, ye would all be welcome to visit Waterford on your outing. We could show you all a bit of the green, educate you all a bit, take you away from all those little crocus and narcissus and onto some good plants instead. And you all could enjoy a drop while you are here.
Then again, I don't know. Maybe the lot of ye are beyond saving. Perhaps it is just a case of commending you all to the Almighty and casting you to his mercy.
Went to an excellent talk last night on the flora of S. Africa and Lesotho, great photography and the first time I was at a talk where the speaker had two projectors and two screens in operation. It was visually very impressive especially when both screens combined to give a panoramic view. Views of kniphofias spread wide across open ground were especially impressive. The speaker was Martin Walsh who is the events organiser for the Dublin branch of the AGS.
Paddy
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Paddy, you've rumbled me, yes, I am the secretary of the Scottish Anti-Galanthophile Association: for goodness sake, don't tell Mark, he's due here to talk about the ruddy things next week... I don't think he suspects me so far 8)
Sounds like a grand evening you had with said Martin Walsh. He's a great chap, isn't he? We'll need to be getting him and his two projectors across to Scotland sooner rather than later, I think! So far he just visits for the fun of it. Our golden girl, Julia Corden, was along on that South African trip, lord help the rest of the party, that's all I can say.
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I'm planning to bring a vase, vaase, vause with me with 12 different picked flowers. The game will be name the snowdrops and Maggi will be in charge!!
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YIKES!! Still, if I'm to be "in charge" then i don't actually have to make any guesses, then, will I ? :-*
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Valentin, this SnowdropSunday, if I understand ( or guess)correctly sounds very interesting: can you give us more details?
Ian - this event, the 'sneeuwklokjes-zondag' is being held in Antwerp on Sunday 18th February 2007 & Valentin is one of four speakers - he will be giving what looks like a very interesting talk about:
- building a snowdrop collection (buying, exchanging, finding)
- how to make selection out of plantings
- techniques to bulk them up.
The event is usually attended by about 150 people and more details can be found
at http://www.galanthus.be/index.cfm?fuseaction=art&art_id=3318
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Crivens. Maggi is now a 'Hero Member'! My son James spotted that!
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Fine, observant lad you have there, Anthony, give him the heroine's best regards!
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give him the heroine's best regards!
A heroine indeed - well done Maggi for all that you do in making the Forum really work.
There is a 3 day 'Sneeuwklokjesfeest' (Snowdrop Festival) being held at De Boschhoeve, Arnhem, Holland from 1st - 3rd March 2007 & full details can be found at http://www.boschhoeve.nl/
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Thank you, Chris, it is my pleasure to help.
What a pity that the snowdrop day with Valentin is the same day as the SRGC early bulb Day... I believe there are many who would enjoy both events! And still more in the Netherlands, too. Plus the Scottish Snowdrop Festival, which has been getting lots of publicity in the Scottish press ( see SRGC page too:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/specials/snowdrop2007/content.html ) The White Fever is spreading like... well....white fever!!
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The White Fever is spreading like... well....white fever!!
And not before time Maggi!
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It is being trialled by the main snowdrop suppliers in England and as far as I know not under this or any name. It's origin is in England and it's garden worthiness was noted after bulbs came to N Ireland. A few of us hold the stock just in case those in one garden fail
It looks as if this snowdrop - 'Compton Court' - is being sold this year by Broadleigh Bulbs, under the name of 'Compton Manor'
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Had a visit today to Killerton House, a National Trust property just outside Exeter. It was a poor day with no sun but some Snowdrops were out, no Cyclamen yet, and some early Camellia. Took a photo of this clump only because I hadn't seen any of you experts mention this particular variety. As I said it was not a good day for photography, and the clump didn't have many flowers open, but I liked the leaves. Of course, given my knowledge of things Galanthus, it will probably turn out to be "as common as muck"
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Okay, several points here: I realise Chris is referring back to an earlier post in this thread, but David, there is a new page for snowie posts now: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=209.0
Now, You all know that I can barely tell one snowie from another, but Mark Smyth is here looking over my shoulder indeed, he is breathing down my neck ( it's rather pleasant, I must say!) and tells me that Davi'd's shot of G. ikariae is not that but G. elwesii.
It wasn't me wot said so, it was a big boy, but he hasn't run away yet! Sorry about that last sentence, but all Scots will know it!
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Sorry David - I have to agree with Maggi/Mark - Killerton House have their plants mis-labelled.
For g. ikariae, see my first ever post of a photo to the Forum - page 11 Reply#155 on this thread (don't tell me you missed it :o :o :o)
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1. Sorry Maggi fingers were working in advance of brain.
2. After 3 Maggi "Well, they all look the same to me" ;D
3. I shall write to the Head Gardener, Killerton House; the President of the National Trust; Tony Blair; Lord Levy (who will no doubt give me a Knighthood-up to the minute satire folks!!) and anyone else I think might listen, and complain about Galanthus mislabelling :P
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Has anybody been to HOPTON HALL to see the snowdrops. I was toying with the idea of going if we get a fine day that coincides with a free day.