2 unknown double Galanthus

[Stephen Vella]

Does anyone know the names of these 2? Ive seem to have lost the tags.

The first one is a couple of inches taller than the second one.
thanks

[mark smyth]

The first one is Lady Beatrix Stanley

[Stephen Vella]

Thanks Mark, that name rings a bell...now just one to go

[Paul T]

Stephen,

Could your second one be G. nivalis flore plena?  It looks like it might be a bit more diminutive than the other one?  The problem we have here in Aus is that I think a number of things are sold as flore plena when they are in fact other double cultivars.  I "think" that flore plena has markings similar to the second pic.... maybe someone reading this can confirm or deny that?  The markings don't look right for 'Lavinia' or 'Ophelia' and I can't remember what 'Titania' looks like.  The greatorex doubles are a bit of a mess anyway.    But I think yours looks like it has more of the smaller scale of flore plena?

[Stephen Vella]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your thoughts,
the second one is much smaller than the first. The leaves are more upright. Im sure it came with a cultivar name, it originated from Rachel Howel in Tasmania, could have been an import as she was in the business of doing so or it came from either Marcus or Otto. Waiting to hear from Otto..you out there??

[Martin Baxendale]

I'm reluctant to try naming with doubles without any clues, but it does look very much like 'Barbara's Double', which is a very neat little double, and quite small. Does the name ring any bells?

[Martin Baxendale]

Here's a link to a good pic of 'Barbara's Double' on a German website:

http://www.galanthus-online.de/seiten/kultivare-a-d/barbaras-double.html

[Lesley Cox]

What is generally grown as G. n. flore pleno here has a less formal, rather ragged appearance, like a snowdrop with a bad hair day.

[Stephen Vella]

Yes Martin and Lesley it does look neat and is such a little thing. Barbra's Double?? dont know, never heard of the name but it does look like the pic.

Martin what sort of clues would you need to identyfy a double, size of flower, leaves?

How many double cultivars are out there?

Might just have to ask Marcus if this one is in the country.

Thanks

[Martin Baxendale]

As Lesley says, the ordinary double nivalis is a very raggedy, uneven, rather messy thing, nothing like what you have there. Identifying doubles is difficult as many are very similar. But 'Barbara's Double' is quite distinctive - a very neat and regular, shapely flower and decidedly short and small compared to most of the other hybrid nivalis-plicatus doubles. It was named by E.A. Bowles for Lady Barbara Buchanan, the daughter of Lady Beatrix Stanley, after whom your other snowdrop, ID-ed by Mark, is named. 'Barbara's Double' has been around a very long time and may well have found its way to your part of the world.

[Paul T]

Lesley et al,

I just thought that the irregular nature of my flore-plena was my less than ideal conditions.  I didn't realise it was a "feature" of it.  I very much like Stephen's plant, as I like the form and diminutive size of it.  If we work out what it is I will definitely try to source it somewhere.  Good luck finding out what it is, Stephen. 

[Stephen Vella]

I just heard from Marcus and it is 'Barbras double'. 

Thanks Martin for the information and the site. You sure do know your Galanthus.

cheers

[mark smyth]

I didnt realise to now that I have a photo of the inside of Barbaras Double

[Paul T]

It really is a cracker.  Must ask Marcus if he has any available this summer. 

[Lesley Cox]

Go to the back of the queue Paul. Already asked him.