We hope you have enjoyed the SRGC Forum. You can make a Paypal donation to the SRGC by clicking the above button

Author Topic: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died  (Read 8074 times)

mark smyth

  • Hopeless Galanthophile
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15254
  • Country: gb
Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« on: October 25, 2014, 12:38:51 PM »
Very sad news that Margaret Owen died during the night. She hasn't been well following heart surgery a couple of months ago
Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

Maggi Young

  • Forum Dogsbody
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 44564
  • Country: scotland
  • "There's often a clue"
    • International Rock Gardener e-magazine
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2014, 12:59:34 PM »
Oh dear, this is bad news indeed.  Margaret Owen was clearly one of the snowdrop greats and to lose both her and Ruby Baker in such a short period is very sad.

I suppose we always hope for the best when someone is ill but it is not given for all good wishes to be rewarded.
I know that Mark had really enjoyed his visits to the Owen Garden and helping out with snowdrop days there and will be sorry to lose a good friend.

Mrs Owen will be sorely missed and I am sure we all sent our kindest condolences to her Family.

How lovely that we had such nice reports from what turned out to be her final Snowdrop Day earlier this year. Here are two photos of Margaret in her garden this year


 -with her visitors- this photo from Richard Williams


and this photo of Margaret with her good friend, Jim Almond, from  Ross Barbour
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

Editor: International Rock Gardener e-magazine

mark smyth

  • Hopeless Galanthophile
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15254
  • Country: gb
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2014, 01:55:25 PM »
Here's a photo of Margaret Glynn, left, and Margaret Owen

« Last Edit: October 25, 2014, 01:59:09 PM by Maggi Young »
Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

Maggi Young

  • Forum Dogsbody
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 44564
  • Country: scotland
  • "There's often a clue"
    • International Rock Gardener e-magazine
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2014, 01:58:23 PM »
Mark, that is a delightful photo of these two fine plantswomen. Margaret Glynn has her snowdrop collection in Northern Ireland.

The marvellous Margaret Owen was  famous for her super garden near Shrewsbury, which she opened every winter to give people the chance to see her very special snowdrop collection at the same time as raising money for charity, mostly for research into Multiple Sclerosis. The garden was of interest at other times as well, of course, but it was the galanthus collection which drew many visitors. 

Fittingly, Margaret is immortalised in "her" Galanthus 'Margaret Owen' as is her late husband, remembered by G. ‘Godfrey Owen’


This photo of 'Godfrey Owen' is from Mark Smyth's "Snowdropinfo" website


Photo of Margaret Owen in her garden in 2012,  by Ian Christie





« Last Edit: October 25, 2014, 02:00:22 PM by Maggi Young »
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

Editor: International Rock Gardener e-magazine

mark smyth

  • Hopeless Galanthophile
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15254
  • Country: gb
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2014, 02:07:34 PM »
Margaret needs a better snowdrop than one that is named after her
https://www.flickr.com/photos/evolution-plants/5370000419/
Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

mark smyth

  • Hopeless Galanthophile
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15254
  • Country: gb
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2014, 02:10:59 PM »
One more photo from the first time I visited England for snowdrop events way back in 2004 - the Gala, Margaret Owen's lunch and open day and Veronica Cross' lunch
Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

snowdropcollector

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 234
  • Country: nl
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2014, 03:41:04 PM »
Very sad news indeed, she will be missed in our little 'snowdropworld'.
Mark and Maggi, thank you for showing the pictures.
Richard, Netherlands....building up my collection again

chasw

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 611
  • Country: gb
  • Another passion
    • mini40register
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2014, 03:44:16 PM »
Such sad news
Chas Whight in Northamptonshire

emma T

  • Famous original snowdrop hat lady
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1053
  • Country: 00
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2014, 05:02:37 PM »
Sad times
Emma Thick Glasshouse horticulturalist And Galanthophile, keeper of 2 snowdrop crushing French bulldogs. I have small hands , makes my snowdrops look big :D

Ossy

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Country: england
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2014, 05:34:31 PM »
Thank you Margaret for the pleasures you have shared with us     Rest in peace, and God Bless

mark smyth

  • Hopeless Galanthophile
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15254
  • Country: gb
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2014, 05:39:47 PM »
Let me tell you a couple of things that happened when I first met Margaret Owen.

You'll all know she made fabulous cakes for her lunches and open days. The minute I met her for the first time she thrust £20 in to my hand and said "go to Sainsbury's as fast as you can I've run out of plain chocolate". I'd never been to Shrewsbury before. I said I have no idea where it is or how to find my way back to your house. "Just go and get me the chocolate I need it now!" So off I went asking people and trying to remember how to get back.

Next morning we are up early. The two Margarets, O and G, have been up since 4am making cakes, soups and stews. As soon as I appear she thrusts car mats and a dust pan and brush in my hand and says "Go clean my car and put in the new mats". I went outside to have a look and go back inside. I said I never clean my own car and it's filthy. Your car is by far worse and I refuse to do it. "You'll do it immediately" Was the reply
Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

freddyvl

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 98
  • Country: be
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #11 on: October 25, 2014, 05:49:30 PM »
Nice story of a real feminist !  :)

ichristie

  • Former President
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1224
  • Country: scotland
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #12 on: October 25, 2014, 05:59:45 PM »
Hello all, we have indeed lost a very special lady who dedicated her energy to grow so many plants Galanthus was only one of her collections, I remember meeting her for the first time at Chelsea a good few years ago with John Massey we had a wonderful time and about 4 or 5 years ago she drove all the way to here stayed with us and we went snowdrop hunting at Brechin castle sheer magic, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Ian ...the Christie kind...
from Kirriemuir

majallison

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 173
  • Country: 00
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #13 on: October 25, 2014, 07:14:52 PM »
Margaret was also hosting one of the RHS sponsored trials of hardy nerines, she was instrumental in getting this trial to take place & her energy, drive & generosity were remarkable.
Malcolm A.J. Allison, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
http://www.malcolmallisonplants.com/

Brian Ellis

  • Brian the Britisher
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5205
  • Country: england
  • 'Dropoholic
Re: Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died
« Reply #14 on: October 25, 2014, 07:35:01 PM »
That is so sad, her loss will be felt in many areas of the gardening world.
Brian Ellis, Brooke, Norfolk UK. altitude 30m Mintemp -8C

 


Scottish Rock Garden Club is a Charity registered with Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR): SC000942
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal