A three week Galanthus Blog

[emma T]

now  you can 

[galanthophile]

Excellent accounts of plant hunting. You are lucky to be able to visit these places to acquire such gems.

[Sean Fox]

now  you can 

I could spoil it and tell all what it was as I read it before you changed it........but I won't  

John, another great entry to the blog. I don't think I've seen so many happy smiling faces on one blog before. Obviously some very good purchases made by all  

[Maggi Young]

but one that has taken my eye is clutched by someone who had to rush out of the sales area in his hat?

No wonder I couldn't find the man in his hat.... seems you meant the charming EmmaT..... good grief, if that's not a woman I don't know what sort of glasses I can get to help me.....so..... in HER hat, then.... and a very nice hat, too, Emma!
It's a treat to see all the happy faces but if there's a wider, sweeter smile in the whole blog than Emma's I'll be surprised. Says everything good about enjoying the flowers.

[Sean Fox]

Maggie,

I think it's John who has the hat....ie the snowdrops are in his hat 

[Maggi Young]

Maggie,

I think it's John who has the hat....ie the snowdrops are in his hat 

Aha! Yes, NOW I see... the 'drops are IN his hat! Good grief,  I must need a lie -down... and now, of course, I see the 'drop with the llooooonnnnnnnggggg outers!
Thanks, Sean.... so long as someone's paying proper attention, eh? 

[Sean Fox]

It makes a change for me to be paying attention Maggie 

[kentish_lass]

What a great time you are having John - apart from the missing jacket.  Hope you get it back. 

My eyes were immediately drawn to the collection of snowdrops in your hat and by the smile on your face I am guessing they are yours 
I cannot imagine what gorgeous snowdrops were on those sales tables - what temptation.  Shame about the rain but you still got some lovely shots, and the snowdrops look nice with raindrops on them.  Lovely drifts of Cyclamen and nice winter planting schemes.

Thanks for keeping us updated - I really enjoyed reading your account.

Looking forward to more.....
Jennie

[KentGardener]

Just back home after a fabulous Wed/Thurs/Fri staying with Jo and Tom in Devon.  After departing from them I went down to Torquay for a night with someone who used to work with me 10 years ago - I tried to get her to be interested in snowdrops but when I showed her my purchases, gifts and swaps she said "they are so pretty, is that one meant to be orange in colour" - my heart skipped a beat, due to excitement, until I glanced into the box and saw it was Eranthus 'Orange Glow'  she thought was one of the snowdrops  

Describing what an enjoyable and fabulous time I have had will be very difficult so I shall let my photographs do the talking.  There will be two posts following this one.  

This post shows some pictures, that turned out OK, of snowdrops around Jo's garden - as the snowdrops is usually what we get to see.

1 - 'Alison Hilary'
2 - 'Blond Inge'
3 - green tipped hybrid
4 - another green tipped
5 - Ikariae doing rather well
6 - 'Quadripetela'
7 - 'Trymlet'
8 - unknown
9 - 'Little John'
10 - Jo's green tipped seedling

[KentGardener]

The next post from Jo's is of the lovely pets and animals I have shared my last few days with....

A mad puppy called Lottie,  4 scardy cats (I managed to befriend two of them), and some rather funky chickens with the most ridiculous 'boots'.  

Also Jo has one or two rather nice clumps of Cyclamen.  

[KentGardener]

On Wednesday and Thursday it was really frustrating that the most I saw of 'Cherubeer Garden' was by torchlight  ,  Except for a fleeting glance out of my bedroom window before we rushed off to Matt Bishops day on Thursday.  

Luckily on Friday we had no plans other than 7 snowdropy people visiting for a wander around looking at the plants and garden.  Below are some photos I took that day.

The day was finished off to perfection with fresh cooked bread rolls, coffee cake and chocolate cake that Jo somehow managed to create between the time she cooked a full English breakfast for Mark and me - and out guests arriving before midday.    

[KentGardener]

P.S.

I've received a text message this afternoon from people attending the Gala to say my jacket is no longer A.W.O.L. and is going to be reunited with me on Wednesday.    

Perfect end to a perfect few days.

[Olga Bondareva]

John,

Please more! I love garden full of snowdrops, I love outstanding hellebores and of course I love coffee cake! 

[Maggi Young]

I suspected that Jo's garden was great and now I know for sure that the woman herself is equally great...... look at the evidence of dinner and that baking (coffee cake is my favourite!)....... WonderWoman at work! 
Jo, I salute you 

[angie]

John how did you get those lovely pictures of Jo's pets. They all kept perfectly still.  Did you promise them some chocolate cake.
Some beautiful pictures there. Thanks for brightening up my cold, dull and damp day.

Angie