Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: KentGardener on January 27, 2013, 07:49:30 AM
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The 'Silly Season' started yesterday in earnest with me on a train just after 7am.
I was on my way to meet up with Arthur and Jennie for the drive to "The Ultimate Snowdrop Sale" being held at Myddleton House, Middlesex. Bad overnight weather had been predicted so our early meeting time was to allow plenty of time for the traffic disruption that the night-time snow would cause. There was no overnight snow! So the roads were completely clear with hardly any traffic. We ended up arriving at 9am, well ahead of the 10.30am opening time. :D Fortunately the cafe was open for teas and snacks so we joined the queue, that had already started, and clutched our warm drinks like hot water bottles.
The 'gate security' took great pleasure in keeping us informed about how long we had to wait - "it's just 1 hour 25 mins until the gates open" - "It's just 1 hour 10 minutes until the gates open".....
Pic 1 & 2 - the queue
The long wait was the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. It was a wonderful surprise to meet SRGC members and lurkers who had travelled from mainland Europe. Apparently I am easily spotted in my camouflage clothing! (Surely camouflage is meant to have the opposite result! :D )
There were only 2 bulbs I was particularly after which were 'Glenchantress' and 'Mosquito'. We had our 10 second count down from the friendly gate keeper and then, as the gates opened, there were people rushing to the various sales tables - my first destination was Wol and Sue's stall. I don't think anybody actually ran - but there was certainly some comical speed walking involved! ;D I arrived at the Glen Chantry stand just in time to hear Sue call "All the Glenchantress are now gone". :'( I had resigned myself to the fact that I was unlikely to get one but still felt a little deflated. My spirits were suddenly lifted as an arm rose up from the scrum clutching a Glenchantress high in the air like excalibur rising from the lake and I heard Arthur's voice calling "John I got the last one for you". Thank you Arthur. 8)
Pic 3 - The Monksilver stall.
Pic 4 - Glenchantry Stall after the initial rush had diminished.
Pic 5 - Jennie shopping at the stall of Anita and Andrew Thorp - with David and Anke Way in the background perusing Matt Bishops plants.
(I've just noticed I can only post 5 pics in a post now - so Myddleton will continue in a second post).
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There were some great plants to be found - many in very limited numbers - others in great quantity. Things like 'Green Tear', 'Glenchantress', 'Cider With Rosie' were gone in seconds. But there were still many fantastic bulbs to be found at the very end of the sale.
I was really surprised how quickly the crowd died down - after about an hour there were only a dozen or so buyers remaining and it was easy to wander around the sales tables to have a nice leisurely look at what was left. It was at this point I spotted a 'Franz Josef' and 'Jonathon' which both came home with me (That means I overspent and have to have cheap meals for the next month! (and I owe Arthur Ł30 I had to borrow!) Thank you Arthur; Again! ;D )
There were also many other gems, like 'Trumps' and 'Fly Fishing', still available to buy as we left near closing time.
Pic 1 - Emma taking a photo.
Pic 2 - The crowds have gone.
Pic 3 - Wol looking quite happy that a swarm of locusts has cleared out most of their stock for today (but don't worry - they told me they have carefully sorted out their plant sales for 2013 so that they will have an equal amount to sell at each of the events they are attending).
Pic 4 - Still time to stop and talk with old friends.
Pic 5 - What a lovely day it turned out to be. Everyone was tempted to take off their hats and coats for the photo - but even with the glorious sunshine it was still a little too cold for that! ;D
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We left the Myddleton House sale with smiles on our faces and empty wallets! We now had a 60 minute drive to Arthur's house for tea and scones (and hyperactive kittens! 8) ). Arthur's garden was still covered in a thick blanket of snow - but it was great to find that he grows a lot of his snowdrops in covered cold frames which meant there were plenty of little white flowers for Jennie and I to Ooh over. Oh - and some things that weren't snowdrops... ;)
Pic 1 - One of Arthur's greenhouses.
Pic 2 - A crocus.
Pic 3 - Another crocus.
Pic 4 - An unidentified Frittilaria.
Pic 5 - One of the cold frames.
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Some of the 'drops that were in Art's coldframes.
Pic 1 - 'Selborne Green Tips' (showing the double headed scape characteristic)
Pic 2 - 'Ding Dong'
Pic 3 - 'Sutton Courtenay'
Pic 4 - An elwesii in the garden
Pic 5 - 'Elwesii Green Tips'
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The day finished with both Jennie and Arthur visiting my house to drop me off and for us to look at all our purchases up close. It was also a great chance to compare their scents in the warmth of my house. Some smelt of soap, some of bonfires, some nice and some not so nice.
Stupidly I forgot to take a picture of all the pots of snowdrops spread-out on my kitchen surfaces so dashed outside with my camera just as Jennie and Arthur were leaving to get a pic of the days purchases.
Pic 1 - Jennie and Arthur having a look at my garden - it will probably be another couple of weeks until things are really worth seeing.
Pic 2 - Their purchases in the boot of the car.
Pic 3 - Another box of plants on the back seat!
That's it for this weekends blog.
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It's great to see your Galanthus blog has started for this year.
I'm looking forward to more updates as the snowdrop season progresses.
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I love your posts, John! Thanks!
Glad the sun was also shining and everyone looks so happy.
Jennie, well done. Your collection is growing quickly.
It is always fantastic to put all the new plants together and look back at a great day.
Lina.
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Very nice to see pics of the event and forummembers. Wished i could have been there to join you.
But i will be in Scotland in a few weeks, hope the weather will be good then.
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Many thanks Rob, Lina and Gerard. It is always a real, S.A.D. beating, boost to know that the time taken to resize and post everything has been well-spent and is worthwhile.
I don't think I will be getting to as many places this year as I would like as funds are limited this year (and train fares keep going up!) - but I will hopefully visit some nice places to report on during the coming weeks.
If anyone would be happy for me to pop along and visit please let me know - and, of course, anyone who wants to visit my postage stamp garden is most welcome here if I am free.
Regards
John
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Thank you John for posting the pictures and let us know that many have had their luck to add some snowdrops to their collection. It is good to hear that you all have had a great day, although your wallets are empty ;D.
I wonder or some of you have longer arms now while you had to carry all the bags ::).
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Your galanthus blogs are enjoyed by a great many people, John- if you do not get to as many events this year as usual, it will be a source of disappointment to more than just yourself!
Your comment on rail fares is well taken - can't myself understand why a ticket to sit (or stand >:( ) on a train seems to cost as much as buying the ruddy train :o :-\
Happily the SRGC forum and galanthus pages are available for all to read and to be able to join in to contribute so that these experiences can be shared and cheer us all- so even if you miss some events, you should be able to see what happens at others in these pages.
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Thank you John for posting the pictures and let us know that many have had their luck to add some snowdrops to their collection. It is good to hear that you all have had a great day, although your wallets are empty ;D.
I wonder or some of you have longer arms now while you had to carry all the bags ::).
It's fun just to see those happy faces of Jennie and Arthur looking out of the car - even if they have now got "gorilla arms" ;D ;)
Gerard : for now the snow is melting in Aberdeen- we will hope for dry ground and sunshine in Dunblane for your Scottish visit 8)
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John - many thanks for all those photos. Great to see David and Anke at Myddleton House. Would have been nice to come along but I am spending my allowance this year on seeds from the American and Czech collectors. Perhaps next year; it looks one of the best snowdrop events there is for rare varieties.
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I wonder or some of you have longer arms now while you had to carry all the bags ::).
...even if they have now got "gorilla arms" ;D ;)
From what I have seen at various plant sales over the years I would think that stretched arms might be a useful body modification (unlike most of the body modifications that seem popular with teenagers in recent years. ::) ;D )
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Thanks John. Almost as good as being there.
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I've been so busy looking at the photos that I've only now read the text! Bless Art's cotton socks for getting you a Glanchantress! What a 'good egg' he is!
I just love that the tall guy at the back of the queue has not just got a bag- he's got a plastic crate/bread tray That's what I call being prepared... he must also be a millionaire to be able to contemplate so many purchases!
Just noticed that Emma, in order to take her photo, has had to lay at least two bags on the ground!
Yes, I can see that there is quite a lot of water lying on the gravel, but at least the sun was shining and it doesn't look too cold for January - hope all the other events are so lucky!
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I've sometimes thought I need to employ a 'runner'... not sure whether to go for a 'Usain Bolt' to blast their way to the front or a 'Mo Farrah' to wriggle their way through.
Arthur seems to perform pretty good !!
Malcolm.
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it all brings me in the mood.... but I have to be patient : snow is melting here , the snow drop day at Kalmthout is soon to come.... and in a few weeks I'll be in Scotland hunting drops!!!
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With the start of "KentGardener's Galanthus Blog 2013" the snowdropseason really started. I'm sure that, besides me, each year many forumnists look forward to this moment as you can see from the reactions. So John it has become 'a must' whether you want it or not, there is no turning back !!! ;)
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John - many thanks for all those photos. Great to see David and Anke at Myddleton House. Would have been nice to come along but I am spending my allowance this year on seeds from the American and Czech collectors. Perhaps next year; it looks one of the best snowdrop events there is for rare varieties.
Tim
It was a great day to meet up with like minded crazy people (and for me a big bonus is that there are open skies so I do not get claustrophobic).
I must admit to overspending, by the Ł30 that Arthur loaned to me yesterday (thank you Arthur. ;D ), but Tm, I think I would still attend with no money to spend as so many like minded "silly" friends and new friends there.
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Great to have your blog back John, really enjoyed reading it and seeing the photos - certainly lifts the spirits and gets the sap rising!!! Look forward to your next one :)
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I did have to put just my 2 bags of snowdrops on the ground to take a picture , no crates for me !
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I really enjoyed reading your blog and seeing the pictures, thanks for sharing John.
I'm happy there were a few 'drops left over for me to pick up when I get to a Sale next month!
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I got some bruised ribs from that crate. :(
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I must admit to overspending, by the Ł30 that Arthur loaned to me yesterday (thank you Arthur. ;D ), but Tm, I think I would still attend with no money to spend as so many like minded "silly" friends and new friends there.
Thanks for the posts John it sounds like you all had a great day. I was contemplating coming along to meet you all but decided I probably couldnt afford to indulge myself and certainly wouldnt be able to resist the temptation. There's always next year.
Looks like Jennie bought a few, you bought a few and Arthur a car load ;D ;D ;D
Chris
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A great account of a lovely day John. I really did enjoy myself and enjoyed meeting a few new people from 'Snowdrop World'. I had been saving for this event and did indulge a little - it is only once a year! I am not a pusher or shover so had to rely on my long arms to snatch a few before they had all gone. Then I had to guard them like a mother hen until I could pay for them as people kept picking them up - think I will take a crate next time ;D
I had my video camera with me but was so busy trying to locate snowdrops from my 'wish list' that I never got it out. It would have made fun viewing - maybe next year. As John said - it was all over very quickly and was quite frenzied at the beginning.
Lots of fun and thanks for the lift Arthur. A great day with like minded people....you just can't beat it.
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Looks like Jennie bought a few, you bought a few and Arthur a car load ;D ;D ;D
Chris
I can assure you I did not buy a bootful, but surprised myself with the amount I spent.
Did not go with a wish list - I can't be disappointed :) :) :) Regretted not buying several, but on taking the time to look at my pots in the cold frames, found that I already had them ;D
Sorry I missed out on meeting Loes, and saying hello to Janet (Judy's Snowdrops) to thank her for making my purchase from her so easy - the plants are all doing fantastically. also missed saying hello to Richard W - even though he was only feet away - pleased that Benning ton Lordship is doing well, but sad we will not have the gathering of forumists, having missed last year.
It was a wonderful day.
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Sorry Arthur didn't see you in the melee, there is still a chance of a meet here first weekend of march though it all depends on how the season has been affected by the snow & what is left to see. Is a shame because I've really enjoyed the forum days but workload and bookings just too much this year, will decide middle of feb.
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Great pictures John it's good to see the forum members having such an enjoyable time.
Who had 'Green Tear' for sale?
Did anyone see who grabbed one?
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Thanks a lot for your great blog, John!
Living in the ´Snodrop diaspora`I enjoy it very much! :)
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Mike,Joe had two Green Tear for sale ,and both went, :o............John...................a fantastic blog as usual from you,look forward to the rest throughout the season,and no doubt we shall bump into you and other forumists(literally) at the future events,....................oh not forgetting the lurkers as well ;D ;D
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I enjoyed your blog as well, John. It's going to be my first gala this year - maybe I'll take the camcorder!
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Great to have you keeping us informed and entertained again this year, John.
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Do you know if a forum member managed to grab one Chas?
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Do you know if a forum member managed to grab one Chas?
Hey Mike,
I know that one of my favourite 'lurkers' was after a Green Tear' and did get to see it up close in the pot... but the pot was in someone else's hand and looked to be going home with someone out of the UK.
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I enjoyed your blog as well, John. It's going to be my first gala this year - maybe I'll take the camcorder!
I've never been to one Anne - I'm avoided them as I am not happy in overly crowded places.
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wow Anne you're going to a Gala! Is Barry going also? You'll be amazed
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Pic 4 - An unidentified Frittilaria.
Nice to have one up this early Arthur. 8) Any idea at all what it may be?
Fritillaria, :-X
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Nice to have one up this early Arthur. 8) Any idea at all what it may be?
Fritillaria, :-X
I have sent a photo to Bob Wallis to see if he can identify it.
Have several other Frits in bud, but generally there is no sign of life.
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[quote
Who had 'Green Tear'
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I came close,I saw the pot...and the price ;D
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Nice to have one up this early Arthur. 8) Any idea at all what it may be?
Fritillaria, :-X
It's ambition is surely to be a tulip..... perhaps Frit. pinardii or carica with that clubbed style?
N.B. Arthur has posted it in the Fritillaria thread, too.
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What was the Green Tear price. Surely not as much as ebay?
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Just seen the price on another thread, Ł200, cheaper than ebay but still pricey.
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You actually saw 'Green Tear' in the flesh loes?
Did your heart pound & did you go weak at the knees? ;D
It looks to be a beauty from all the photos I've seen of it.
Hi John, I know what you mean about crowds. The Gala is exciting & stressful at the same time. I know when I'm there I should be having fun fun fun like everyone else but............
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You actually saw 'Green Tear' in the flesh loes?
Better all sit down first. Here's one I took earlier.
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What a STUNNER David!!
I desire it even more now ;D
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I did see Green Tear and it was still for sale but instead of just 1 snowdrop to buy, I chose for a few.
I'll wait a few years.
Instead I wanted a Rosemary Burnham but the last one was already sold :'(
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I think that is what I shall do regarding Green Tear Ioes.
Did you notice what Rosemary Burnham was selling for?
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Mike
Wol & Sue were selling it for Ł35
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She seems good value at Ł35 Art.
Hopefully I will see one for sale one of these days.
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Mike
Mine is now two and I have two flowers - bulb bought last July.
Can be difficult, so keeping fingers crossed.
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Yesterday saw me up bright and early for what is becoming my annual pilgrimage to the secret woodlands of Cambridgeshire. My host for the day was, once again, forum member Alan B. Alan often finds time to explore woodlands and churchyards within an hours drive of his house and I have been lucky enough over the years to visit some of his most interesting snowdrop sites. We worked out yesterday that it is 6 years since I started my trips to Cambridge - how time flies!
Annoyingly the journey didn't start well as there was a railway replacement bus that added to the journey time - but I was prepared with a copy of Dr Jože Bavcon's book about Slovenian snowdrops to get me in the mood for the day ahead.
After a bus, train, tube and another train Alan met me from his local rail station and we started the day at his house for a look at some of the snowdrops in his collection.
A few that attracted my attention. (I'm still going through a 'green marked outers' phase. ;D)
1 - one of his finds from a previous year.
2 - A seedling that appeared in Alan's garden and is flowering for the first time.
3 - The lovely 'Ex Emma Thick' slowly working her way into every county of England. 8)
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John, what is the book?
I've just put Jože Bavcon in Amazon and got;
Your search "Jože Bavcon" did not match any products. Did you mean: joke bacon
Showing Top Results for "joke bacon" in All Departments
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After refreshments at Alan's I donned my Long Johns, extra jumper, scarf and hat and we set out in Alan's car to visit various locations.
I always find it interesting to see how populations in different areas can have genetic differences. Sometimes you find nothing but completely uniform drops but yesterday we were lucky enough to see areas with Twin Headed, Green Tipped, Abnormal flowers, and yellows. We managed to spend about 4 hours on our hands and knees before the cold got the better of us and we returned to Alan's for hot drinks and lunch.
1 - my host spotting something interesting
2 - the first twin headed we found
3 - Another twin headed just emerging
4 - a pretty little 4 petal one - it really was tiny (the rest of the clump were all normal 3 petals)
5 - one that I rather liked because it showed its inners even on a cold day
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1 - green stripes
2 - more green stripes
3 - trying to be a yellow
4 - succeeding in being a yellow
5 - faint green dots
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These are unlikely to appeal to most - but I am sure Emma and Davey will like them. 8)
1 - weird one
2 - weird two
3 - weird three (I think this was the most interesting drop of the day. At first I was convinced it was slug damage but still took a picture. It was only when I got home and loaded it onto my laptop that I found it was a really interesting mutation. I wonder if it will do it in 2014 - and whether I will be able to find it again?)
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And finally a few with green tips.
That is the end of my trip to Cambridgeshire.
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-a few with green tips-
I would say a lot with green tips.
It seems you had a trip full of impressions. Fantastic!
And the yellows :o
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John and Alan, seems the two of you have had a great day with lovely findings :). Great to see all the drops with green markings, and of course the great yellow one.
Are the snowdrops with green markings all found in a little area, or do you find them spread all over the place ?
When I look out for snowdrops over here, mostly you find the 'specials' in a little area and not spreaded.
I did find a yellowish ( as you say trying to be yellow) in a large population of Nivalis at a farm. I go back there every two/three
years, yellowish Nivalis are only in a small area in that population.
Picture of 'Elles Dream' ( as I have named the snowdrop ) is attached.
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Two more picture of Nivalis 'Elles Dream'.
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What a great day you had ....you have to have a very sharp eye when they are that tiny and unopened.
The ones with two flowers are interesting as the second fllower is actually a branch on the side of the main scape ....rather like a day lily. Could this mean they could branch more than once with more than two flowers?
Love the last one of the weird finds. It looks rather like Clovis with a snowdrop hat on :) Very unusual....hope you can find it again to see if remains stable?
Great finds - thanks for sharing.
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John, what is the book?
I've just put Jože Bavcon in Amazon and got;
Your search "Jože Bavcon" did not match any products. Did you mean: joke bacon
Showing Top Results for "joke bacon" in All Departments
Gail - I will PM you his addresses. The book is to be purchased directly from Jože.
johnw - snooooooooooooooow - 40cm on the way.
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Picture of 'Elles Dream' ( as I have named the snowdrop ) is attached.
Richard - Is it possible to post a large picture of nivalis Elles Dream?
thanks
johnw
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John,
Pictures are from last year, and I have made them small with windows Gallery Player. The problem is.....I forgot to make a
copy first.. :-[. Will make new pictures this year and post them again.
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Richard - It will be nice to see its progress.
Thanks
johnw
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Gail - I will PM you his addresses. The book is to be purchased directly from Jože.
johnw - snooooooooooooooow - 40cm on the way.
Thanks John - sorry I didn;t reply Gail - I've been out all day looking at snowdrops. ;D
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No problem, snowdrops in the flesh should always have priority over those on screen. Thanks John & John.
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Oh i like Weird 3 a lot ;D very nice 8)
Nice photo of my Ex too :)
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John i am so glad you included me and Emma on your weirds :) I love number 1,2 is quite nice,3 not so sure.
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I somehow missed the first post with Emma's snowdrop - it is beautiful Emma and I saw it in the flesh at John's last year.
Have been wondering if on a sunny day the reduced outer petals on 'Weird no. 3' would open up? That could look be a unique and very weird look. I really like that one.
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I fear 'Weird No. 3' may be lost to us. It's incredibly difficult to go back to find again a snowdrop you found before when it's a single amongst a mass of others, even after a short time away. Think "Where's Wally" ("Where's Waldo" N.A) but much harder. When I have needed to do this, I have always taken a close-up photo and then some establishing shots of the near surrounds and then the wider environs but even so it can still be very difficult. This one John pronounced as 'eaten' so I never even took a look at it, being some metres (yards USA/UK-old-school) away. And we didn't realise it was weird until John got home and examined his photographs so we only remember broadly where it was.
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Saturday I spent in Cambridgeshire with Alan - Sunday Alan planned to spend the day in Kent.
The day started at 09.30 with a look around my little garden - I am always surprised how it is possible to spend over an hour looking at the plants in such a small space!
Then we set out on the 30 minute drive to see the garden of forum member Tim Ingram. He has been garden on his 1.5 acre site for over 30 years. The garden contain many varied and wonderful plants and I feel that I will need to visit again in the Summer as there is an area of Southern hemisphere plants that I would like to see in full growth.
Galanthus are to be seen in abundance throughout the garden - but an apple orchard area at the end is becoming the main snowdrop area. They are looking wonderful in 2 borders along the lines of trees - and there are 2 or 3 more areas yet to be planted. There are also loads of Cyclamen leaves to be seen so I was very happy. ;D
1 - Tim and Alan on one of the paths in the middle part of the garden
2 - Cyclamen 'Greville'
3 - lost label - but had a tendancy to do twin heads for every 1 out of 20 bulbs
4 - An interesting seedling of Arum italicum pictum with yellow leaves! :o (my guess is a "love it or hate it plant" - I love it.)
5 - Cyclamen leaves 8)
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The following pictures were taken in the apple orchard area - I think this planting already looks brilliant and is going to get better and better as the other apple trees are under planted.
It is not just snowdrops in these borders but many other woodland happy plants
1 - Our first view of the apple tree area
2 - A group of 'Wendys Gold' surrounded by its open crossed seedlings
3 - 'Bertrum Anderson'
4 - The first two apple tree borders
5 - woronowii - a really low leaves and sparsely flowering form - but looking lovely because of those traits
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Tim also has many rather nice Hellebores all over.
1, 2, 3 Hellobore
4 - Alan and I were discussing how tall this one was. 'caucasicus late from Kath Dryden'
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My word, isn't that hellebore in pic 4414 doing a very good impression of a Sarracenia flower?
Things so much more advanced in growth than here.
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You're right Maggi it does.
My Wendy's Gold have never set seed the capsules usually go bright yellow & wither away so it is interesting to see that Anne & now Tim have seedlings from her.
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Arum italicum pictum with yellow leaves - love it and would give it a home in my garden
No mention of the best Geranium for this time of year?! G. x oxonianum Spring Fling
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Thanks John - so nice to see your own garden through another's eyes. The Arum doesn't look so yellow right through the year but it is something I must bulk up since it seems to be stable. And yes - Geranium 'Spring Fling' is a superb winter plant. I don't know anything of its origins?
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The Danish 'Storksbill' book mentions the year 2000. I cant read Danish.
My plant is 6 years old and badly needs started again in case it suddenly dies. The rosettes, after 6 years are no longer at ground level. I also need to propogate phaeum Green Ghost.
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I got home late tonight with lots of things to do, but sat and enjoyed your blog so much the jobs will all have to wait until tomorrow!
Thanks
Bronwyn
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John,
I just read your whole blog to date in one sitting because I was actually able to expand the photos in a decent time frame. I enjoyed it so much---keep up the good work. I have a blog myself and know that it can very time consuming. I am so glad you got your snowdrop. I was on the edge of my seat like The Perils of Pauline (is that a US thing?) and could definitely envision the arm above the crowd. Your garden might be small but it's definitely pretty. I love the mutant snowdrops especially the last. Could someone go back right now and find it and mark it? The arum is amazing and could find a nice home in my arum collection in the US if it is hankering for some international travel. I find it very interesting that photos of snowdrop people get 175 views while photos of snowdrops get 75. Perhaps we should have a people thread and post our individual photos along with group shots.
Thanks you so much,
Carolyn
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Alan and I left Tim's house in the early afternoon and started out on the half hour drive to visit Spring Platt ( http://kentsnowdrops.com/ (http://kentsnowdrops.com/) ) and the collection of Caroline and Julie Millen. The last time I visited this garden was in 2011 and was looking forward to see what changes had been made.
The first surprise was how busy it was - we hit a 'traffic jam' on the country lane leading to their house with three cars coming up the road and three down at the same time - eventually all the cars managed to tuck into the hedges and we eventually passed. We then found that the parking was no longer in the field opposite, as this has now been turned into an acid loving garden using raised beds built of peat block. Parking was now in the lower half of the Millen's garden - an area that John has flattened out as a croquet lawn many years previous. He had obviously done a good job as the cars were causing hardly any damage at all.
We got out of the car to find the first new planting area - this is their one and two year old acquisitions that are at the base of a hedge. Alan was pleasantly surprised that the first plant we saw was one of his finds 'Green Light'. It was all smiles until we were given the sad news that the weekend had been so busy there was no more home made vegetable soup left. :'( But the home made fruit cake and warming cuppa more than made up for it. :)
1 - the parking area at the bottom with the wonderful view across the weald. We were the last to leave.
2 - the new plant border
3 - Alan's 'Green Light'
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It is not just the croquet lawn that John Millen has built well - but also the various raised planting areas for the snowdrop collection. My favourite is the sleeper edged steps as it is easy to climb on them to look at the drops up close. This had been extended by a full sleeper length since I last saw it in 2011 and there is room for at least one more sleeper length.
At the front of the house are waist high raised beds that allow the flowers to be seen very easily. John was telling me that he has plans to one year build another set of these raised beds on the lawn to the right of the picture.
Alan and I were discussing the narrow leaves on r. o. 'John Marr' - we speculated that it must come from a really sunny place and the narrow silver leaves were it's way of coping with the intense sunlight.
1 - Sleeper steps with Alan spotting something
2 - raised beds
3 - 'John Marr'
4 - 'Diggory' looking nice
5 - The amazing egg yoke yellow of 'Ronald Mackenzie'. This was their first year flowering on their 2 year old chips.
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And finaly a few more flowers that attracted my attention.
1 - 'Windsor Yellow' - it was interesting to see that this was hardly any bigger than in Feb 2011 with just one flower still. There were some young leaves starting so hopefully next time I visit there will be a little group of slowers flowers. ;)
2 - 'Sweet Alice' - this was a beautiful flower and is now on my wish list.
3 - 'John Tomlinson' - also now on my wish list.
4 - 'Hercule' - looked to be quite large - but I didn't have a tape measure on me. ::)
5 - 'Trymming'
That's the end of last weekends travels. I've come down with a tummy bug this week so hope I am up for more travels next weekend.
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Another good entry, I'm really enjoying the blog again this year.
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Hope you are getting well soon, John.
We need you next weekend!
Thanks for the great pictures, I love G. 'Sweet Alice' too.
Just ordered it from Valentin Wijnen en will hopefully get it next week.
Lina.
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... hopefully next time I visit there will be a little group of slowers.
Not sure if that is a misprint or an apt term for something that doesn't increase very fast.
And you've not caught me in the most attractive pose in your previous post! I either need to go on a crash diet or stop wearing that padded winter jacket.
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John
Thanks for your blog, especially Spring Platt. After Harvey's on Saturday decided I needed a rest - real reason Spurs were on TV AND won 8) :) 8).
There is more to life than snowdrops, but sometimes it is a close run thing ;). Spring Platt is one example - an excellent garden set in wonderful surroundings and a collection of snowdrops displayed to best effect.
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Thanks everyone for the positive comments - it is always lovely to hear that the time to sort/resize pictures and write some words has been worth it. :)
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Hope that my John Tomlinson flowers like that, still, waiting have 2 flower spikes
And is Hercule a poc John?
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Thanks everyone for the positive comments - it is always lovely to hear that the time to sort/resize pictures and write some words has been worth it. :)
I'm sure many lurkers like me appreciate this. :) I enjoy also the bigger pictures where you show the surroundings of the snowdrop plantings, it's nice to see how they are grown as well the close-ups of the flowers.
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Only just spotted this addition to your blog. I can't believe how much more they have expanded their collection at Spring Platt. I wish I had that much confidence in the lattice pots in the ground. The garden is beautifully maintained and tidy - I would have loved to have gone but got my dates muddled. Will be sure to visit if they are open next year.
As my back gets worse by the year those waist high sleeper beds are sounding more and more appealing ;)
Hope you feel better John.
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Sadly no snowdrop outings for me this weekend. :(
But I did get to visit a military show this morning (followed by a rather good Sunday Roast pub lunch today). ;D
Hopefully I shall do better with some 'drop interest next weekend.
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Sadly no snowdrop outings for me this weekend. :(
Or us.
johnw
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Good lord John! :o That is some deep snow!
p.s. - and a very pretty street you live on.
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maybe i wont complain about the light dusting of snow we will have in the morning :o
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John - +27cm here, imagine the USA with 90cm+!
johnw
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sorry we didnt get to visit you John , hope you enjoyed your lunch :)
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No worries Em. I know the weatherman was threatening bad things so I'm not surprised you wanted to make sure of getting home without a 2 county detour! :)
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Today's entry is a slight cheat as I didn't actually visit anywhere!
But as I was working from home today a few of the Kent Galanthophiles popped over to see me. It had to be a quick wizz round the garden as I was on my lunch break and one of my visitors also needed to be away to collect the kids from school.
I checked the weather first thing and even though sun was expected I knew it wouldn't hit my shaded garden - so I went and cut a few flowers to bring indoors so that we would have something to look at. SRGC member Uli very kindly gave me a present some months ago of a perspex and test tube vase - today was my first chance to use it. I first saw this way of displaying selected flowers at Glen Chantry 5 or 6 years ago. I have fond memories of Glen Chantry, while I was wandering round the beautiful garden I remember Ian spending a lot of time with 2 people in wheel chairs who could not get round the garden but they were all discussing and enjoying Wol and Sue's Galanthus up close in the vases.
Anyway - enough of my reminiscing on times past - and back to today.
Parking in my street is atrocious! Caroline and Julie Millen had to drive round the block 3 times to find a parking space! When I opened the front door I was presented with a pot full of Caroline's home made vegetable soup as it had been all sold out on my blog of their garden. Thank you. ;D They also, overly generously and completely unexpectedly, gave me a Kentish snowdrop I have not come across before called 'Doddington'. Still in tight bud but I look forward to seeing what it turns out to look like.
Tim Ingram arrived about 10 minutes later - his closest parking space was three streets away! :o (Sorry for anyone who visits my mid terrace spot on weekdays as this can often happen. Sunday is the best day to come here regarding parking). Tim also came bearing gifts. Alan - there is one of Tim's tall Galanthus caucasicus (from Kath Dryden) here for you. ;) I now have my first Cyclamen pseudibericum to try in the genetic mix here. 8)
(Gifts really are not needed to visit my little place - having the opportunity to spend time in the garden with like minded gardening friends is lovely in itself).
I had a very enjoyable hour in the garden talking snowdrops and cyclamen before I had to chuck my guests out so that I could continue my work.
A few pics:
1 - Guests in the garden
2 - The indoors 'display'
3 - "Lurkers" ;) (Julie and Caroline Millen)
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Two Elizabeth Harrison! :o
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I was presented with a pot full of Caroline's home made vegetable soup as it had been all sold out on my blog of their garden.
Yeah, I missed that soup too; I hope you saved me some.
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Two Elizabeth Harrison! :o
Two lovely Millen's too. ;D
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Yeah, I missed that soup too; I hope you saved me some.
Soz.... (as one one my colleagues says) - in other words... sorry! I consumed and then licked the bowl of every drop.
I'll cook some other home made soup here next time you make it to Kent. ;)
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Okay - that sounds good.
Since John's image rarely appears in his own blog, here's some snowdrops with him off in the distance.
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I woke early yesterday looking forward to my annual pilgrimage to the RHS spring show. I had to go into my office to do 4 hours work in the morning but still managed to arrive at the two display halls in Victoria by midday. This is the first year that I had to pay for entrance (as I have let my RHS membership lapse) – but I thought Ł8 wasn't a bad price to see so many great nurseries displaying their best plants. On entering the hall the first stand I encountered was the wonderful Avon bulbs display – deservedly achieving a gold medal. Snowdrops were used in many of the displays but most notably on the Avon and Foxgrove stands.
1 – Avon Bulbs
2 – The lovely Ding Dong behind the range of drops that Avon had for sale
3 – New drop ‘The Wizard’ – the most sought after of the day. 18 were at the show and were sold within minutes of the doors opening.
4 – Chas with a smile on his face.
5 – Foxgrove display
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1 - Broadleigh
2 - One I had not seen before - elwesii 'Fat Boy' - I couldn't really see why this one got named as I wasn't impressed by it.
3 - another I hadn't seen before - nivalis 'Tiny' - another I couldn't really see why it was named as I see loads like this in woodlands.
4 - I rather liked this dark leaved Bergenia 'Overture' - one I shall be looking out for.
5 - This pretty Begonia 'Fedor Magic Colours' also attracted my attention
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It is not just the plants that I attend this show to see. It is also a great place to catch up with old friends and to make new ones.
1 - SRGC members (Emma, Alan, Anthony, Chas) - not sure what Emma, Alan and Chas are looking at but it certainly isn't my camera! :D
2 - Alan Street, Brenda and John Foster, Joe Sharman
3 - Joe's Buttonhole
4 - The other hall!...
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Sadly for the second year running no snowdrops were presented before the Joint Rock Committee. But there were a few nice Eranthis to put a smile on my face.
1 - 'Grunling' - received a Preliminary commendation
2 - 'Orange Glow'
3 - 'Eberhard Fluche' - another name now added to my 'wants list'!
It was so warm in the halls with the sunlight streaming through the glass roof that I had high hopes of a nice display in my garden when I got home. It was a real disappointment to find that the ground was still frozen in Gillingham. :( Oh well.... At least I had the chance to see loads of lovely open flowers in London. 8)
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Wow, you're blogging early! :D
It was really nice to meet you John and so many other forum members at the show. Chas is looking particulary pleased with himself. The cat that got the cream comes to mind! I'm glad you included the "Wizard" pic because I tried to find him later to have a look.
I had Bergenia Overture on my list too but didn't find it.... obviously didn't look hard enough!
The displays were beautiful and congratulations to Avon bulbs and that Gold Award well deserved!
I managed to bundle a few 'drops and sack loads of mini Iris back to Gloucestershire, quite a fete on a packed train!
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I haven't been to the RHS Show in February for a couple of years but the excitement of those stands still comes across really well. I've belonged to the RHS for as long as the AGS and remember being captivated visiting them as a student in London 30 years ago. I remain of the opinion that plants stand above design - the second Hall looks more like an art exhibition - nothing wrong with that but it seems to divide two aspects of gardening that really should come together.
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2 - Alan Street, Brenda and John Foster, Joe Sharman
...and Cliff Curtis on the extreme left of the picture, Thanks for taking Joe's buttonhole John, always interesting to see.
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I did wonder that myself Brian - I zoomed in on the original and convinced myself it was someone else in a flat cap. :-\
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I agree Tim.
Design has its place, but a lot of it goes over my head as I'm more interested in the PLANTS.
I enjoyed 'designing' my new garden but it's plants, plants, PLANTS for me.
I'd be sorry to see the RHS become a 'marina' for swish millionaires & forget that it's also a harbour for fishing folk.
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I did wonder that myself Brian - I zoomed in on the original and convinced myself it was someone else in a flat cap. :-\
pic 1 -Is it or isn't it Cliff?.... (hopefully Sharon will be lurking to answer for us ;) )
pic 2 - Another pic I spotted of the Foxgrove display looking rather nice.
pic 3 - just to show that the 'design' hall wan't completely not alive.
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Yes ,John that is Cliff
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Could not go yesterday, but met a friend and enjoyed today.
Going on a train is always an experience - not really enjoyed when train is late, and crowded. Booked ticket online and found out I had paid Ł7 more than I needed to - I asked for the cheapest return, but did not get it ??? :( >:( Can feel a letter coming on....
Coming home was better as I managed to catch a train before the rush hour. However, 8 bags of plants take some handling :) and I missed the car. Bought Crocus, snowdrops, eranthis and shrubs.
All in all an excellent day - next year I will make it on the Tuesday.
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I have sent a photo to Bob Wallis to see if he can identify it.
Have several other Frits in bud, but generally there is no sign of life.
Did you ever establish its identity Arthur?
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Anyone know what the variegated leaf is in Joe's buttonhole? Looks almost like an Oriental poppy with those hairs.
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Great account of the day John and I am so disappointed I missed you all. I was there but not until later in the day - sister turned up unexpectedly and then the train was delayed for over an hour because a lorry hit the bridge further down the line. I got there and headed to the Avon stand and asked Maxine where everyone was......"gone" was the answer :'(
Sorry I missed meeting Jacqueline.....and Ruby Baker. Was looking forward to seeing all the forumists - will have to wait another year now.
Only bought 2 galanthus - was concentrating on companion plants and got some lovely bits ie. Eranthis, Lathyrus vernus cvs., Bergenia ciliata, Chrysosplenium macrophyllum (for very shady spots) and a few Arisamae ;D
Here's a pic of me outside the halls to prove I was there (with bags as usual)
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Did you ever establish its identity Arthur?
Ron
assyriaca
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3 – New drop ‘The Wizard’ – the most sought after of the day.
I presume the name is an allusion to the classic snowdrop "Merlin" because like Merlin it is supposed to have solid green inner petals, making it unlike the other Trym-alikes. But the picture suggests the mark on the inners is rather fainter towards the base. Maybe "Paul Daniels" would have been a better name?
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Alan, that is to funny :D :D :D :D :D :D
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Maybe "Paul Daniels" would have been a better name?
I like it Alan, not a lot, but I like it ;)
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I like it Alan, not a lot, but I like it ;)
Lol i will forever think of the wizard as Paul Daniels and start laughing
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Great account of the day John and I am so disappointed I missed you all.
Indeed it was a real shame not to see you there Jennie. I would say the prime hours for people meeting is between 11.00 and 14.30.
If there are any new Galanthus for sale it seems the best hours are between 10.00 and 10.03. ;D
Ruby Baker asked me on the day if I could introduce her to you and also to someone called Ulrich - she was disappointed after much seraching to find neither of you at the show.
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Ha John,Ruby came up and asked me if I was Ulrich :D
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Ha John,Ruby came up and asked me if I was Ulrich :D
You do also have his look of a cuddly wombat, Chas - so an easy mistake to make......
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Hi Maggi
I've since worked out (via emails to Germany) that Ruby wasn't after our Wombat Uli Lessnow - but was on the lookout for one of Iris's German coach party Ulrich Pusch. Unfortunately the coach party had already gone home as the RHS moved the date a week later.
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You do also have his look of a cuddly wombat, Chas - so an easy mistake to make......
:D :D Thanks Maggi
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Hi Maggi
I've since worked out (via emails to Germany) that Ruby wasn't after our Wombat Uli Lessnow - but was on the lookout for one of Iris's German coach party Ulrich Pusch. Unfortunately the coach party had already gone home as the RHS moved the date a week later.
Oh dear , so more disruption caused by the RHS moving the date. What a shame
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Anyone know what the variegated leaf is in Joe's buttonhole? Looks almost like an Oriental poppy with those hairs.
Hi Gail - correct 8) - it was Papaver orientale 'Frosty'
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Hooray, Scottish Rock is back on line!
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Na hoppla, funktioniert ja wieder.
Thank you so much to the crew behind Maggi
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Now I am happy again, SRGC is back!
Thanks everyone for your work during the weekend!
Lina.
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I got terrible withdrawal symptoms and, despite the very cold weather, I had to spend the whole weekend outside looking at snowdrops in order to compensate.
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Great to be back again ;)
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Hurray!! All is well with the world again!!! :) :) :)
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Ah, that's better. 8)
I did miss SRGC with my morning cuppa and found myself spending money on ebay instead!
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Yesterday I had a visit from Steve Owen. The plan was to have a cuppa and quick look at my garden and then for us to drive down to Canterbury for the Goodnestone Park Snowdrop Day organised by the Hardy Plant Society. Steve had seen signs on the way to me saying that the A2 was closed so we left my house 30 mins earlier than we intended. We didn't encounter the said roadworks so, even despite the light snow that was falling, made very good time and found ourselves a few miles from our destination before 10am - the event opened at 11am. Luckily for us we spotted a 'cafe open' sign and decided to pop in for a cuppa and a bacon roll. We seated ourselves on the table right next to a log burning stove and once we saw the menu the bacon rolls turned into a full English fry up each. ;D
After our hearty breakfast we arrived at Goodnestone 20 mins ahead of the opening time but found we were allowed to pay our entrance and wander in. There was a nice selection of plants for sale (but 2 of the nurseries I hoped might be there with some Kent snowdrops were not). The most popular stall seemed to be that of Penny Dawson (Twelve Nunns Nursery) selling a wide range of colourful Hellebore hybrids. Penny was also giving a lecture on Hellebores later in the day. I did not intend to buy anything but succumbed to one of the Hellbores. I was also tempted by another stall with hardy orchids but the prices of them helped me to resist.
1 - General view of the stalls by the House.
2 - one of the stalls on the lawn showing the light sprinkling of snow that had fallen.
3 - Hellebore selection.
4 - A clever use for broken pots.
5 - Colour.
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After some shopping we wandered round the garden. I was glad to see that the plantings of snowdrops were starting to look more natural (when I first saw them in 2009 a lot looked newly planted and a bit too regular for my liking). There are not any 'specials' in the ground that I could spot - but lots of single nivalis and a few clumps of double nivalis too.
1 - A view down the main avenue with the house in the distance
2 - A drift of nivalis
3 - Entering the walled garden
4 - The central view in the walled garden with the distant church used to great effect.
5 - Some winter colour
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After our shopping and wandering round the garden we were feeling rather frozen so headed for the tea room. There was a lovely selection of home made nibbles on hand. I opted for a thick slab of fruit cake and Steve chose 2 warm cheese scones with butter all washed down with warming mugs of tea.
In the room next to the tea room a small display of Snowdrops, Hellebores and Daphnes had been arranged.
1 & 2 - Snowdrop and Hellebore displays
3 - Another Trym seedling
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Finally what I described when I saw them as Harry Potter trees!
1 - The first tree that caught my eye
2 - Same tree with Steve for scale
3 - Imagine growing up as a lad here with this beast to climb
4 - Lovely orange colour to this Magnolia
It was then the 60 minute drive back to my house for some warming home cooked stew before saying a goodbye to my chauffeur of the day.
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Seems like a worthwhile day out!
I love your pictures John, especially the Monster tree, awesome! and also the clever use of the broken terracotta, me thinks should I purposely break a pot or just wait for it to happen!
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That tree is much bigger than I imagined from the first photo .
Lots to see and do there, John, but it looks really cold. I think you and Steve did well to get a good hot breakfast inside you - looks like the stall holders needed something similar to heat them up, poor souls!
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It was a freezing cold day at Goodnestone, and it's quite an exposed spot anyway! Great to see the day through John's eye's; it has been held for 11 or 12 years and in good weather has attracted very large numbers of gardeners, though not many galanthophiles it has to be said - Kentish gardeners still have to be educated into the delights of these plants. The owner of the garden, Margaret Fitzwalter, has been a good friend to garden groups in Kent for many years, and a fine gardener in her own right. The hellebores from Twelve Nunns were outstanding - the nursery is run by Penny Dawson, who gave the talk, and the plants grown by Harvington Hellebores, a wholesale nursery owned by her parents. Interestingly they also specialise in other choice woodland perennials such as erythroniums, roscoea and trilliums. Their interests in hellebores date back many years, with connections to Helen Ballard, Elizabeth Strangman and John Massey. There were other very interesting plants - Annie Godfrey of 'Daisy Roots' nursery (whose garden was featured in The Garden in August) had nice pots of Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Winter Sunshine' (and named for the under-appreciated Eric Smith, who worked with Jim Archibald at the Plantsman nursery and is nicely profiled by Roy Lancaster in this month's The Garden), and the super North American woodlander Synthyris stellata, which I have always wanted to grow since seeing it at Washfield many years ago. Liam Mackenzie (Madrona Nursery), a nursery colleague in Kent, who grows one of the finest ranges of woody plants in the country, had the irresistable Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'. The orchid nursery John refers to is 'Alphabet Orchids', who are new to me, a young couple who have recently moved from London and are growing some really special plants, both hardy and greenhouse orchids. Will be interesting to visit them on their open days in March and June.
It may have been a cold day, and a time of year when most gardeners prefer to do their gardening sitting by the fire with a good magazine, but those of us out on Sunday warmed each others spirits, and there were some very good plants to be had, which so many others will have missed out on.
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These are some of the plants mentioned.
Helleborus Harvington Hybrids'.jpg
'Harvington Hybrids':2.jpg
'Harvington Hybrids':3.jpg
Helleborus x ericsmithii.jpg
Mahonia eurybracteata.jpg
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I think I recall seeing that Mahonia covered in frosty rime in an old page of John Grimshaw's blog- I'm sure he was doubtful at that time that it would survive that freeze- I wonder if it did and if the plant would stand any chance up here in Scotland?
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What beautifully arranged displays of snowdrops and Hellebores. I'm loving the great detail of the food eaten that day :) :). It looked very cold though!
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For several years now I have been looking for a good double yellow hellebore - at Goodnestone lo and behold three stalls had just that plant!
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I've been unable to post for a few days... so this post 'out of order'... but it was nice to meet several of you at the RHS show... and I feel like a 'proper' forumist now I've been in a photo on here.
Chas... if you see this... I'm afraid the snowdrop you asked me to look out for wasn't available on Sunday... I could only a find a small clump of them. I was on the receiving end of a rather interesting expression when I asked about its availability!
I'm also a big fan of Penny Dawson's/Hugh Nunn's plants, and I have quite a few Harvington hellebores... but I'm especially fond of their Erythroniums which seem excellent garden plants here. After a quick search, I can only find a picture of one of them, it's Harvington Wild Salmon... it multiplies quickly as well as being beautiful. And, there's a bit of a local connection, as Harvington is just down the road from us.
edit by maggi- I've turned the H. wild salmon round. ;)
[attachimg=1]
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I'm halfway through what is possibly the last weekend of my snowdrop travels for this year. :( But am finishing the season with a fun packed weekend.
Yesterday I had been invited to visit one of the UK's Galanthus National Collections. I was meant to visit last year when Hagen and Uli were staying with me but the heavy snowfall of 2012 scuppered our best made plans. An arrival time of 14.00 was suggested so I decided to spend the morning once again with Alan B in Cambridgeshire. I met Alan a little after 10am and we started the day with a look round a church yard that Alan had explored in the previous month. Here is a mixed population of plicatus, nivlais and double nivalis. We didn't spot anything exceptional but there was quite a bit of variety in the size of the inner markings. We also found an area where some plicatus were trying to be yellow, but not quite managing it. Unfortunately it was quite chilly so the flowers all kept themselves tightly closed.
1 - Church yard.
2 - Large green mark showing between the closed petals.
3 - Thinking about being yellow.
4 - Sadly we couldn't go inside the church as it was locked. As I have a diploma in the art and design of decorative glass I am always interest in looking at Stained glass windows. This one looked rather nice from the outside - I bet it would look ever nicer from inside.
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After leaving the church yard we drove to some of Alan's secret (privately owned) woodlands. This was my second visit to these areas this year and I wasn't sure if we would discover anything we hadn't seen last month. As during previous strolls I was pleasantly surprised at what we managed to spot in a 2 hour period. It was also great to see the large drifts of drops alternating with large drifts of winter aconites. Once again a shame it was not warm enough to show either flower off in all their shining glory - but they were still a beautiful sight even tightly closed.
1 - Drift of mainly double nivalis.
2 - Snowdrop ditch.
3 - Aconites.
4 - The search is on.
5 - Alan finds a Yellow nivalis.
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A few of the weird ones we encountered.
1 - A small group of 'almost' 4 outers with 4 inners.
1 - Starting to be a reverse poc.
2 - Another showing the same trait in a very different way!
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And finally some green outers that were quite appealing in the different woodlands.
1 - Two green dots.
2 - Green stripes.
Our favourite 2 of the day.
3 & 4 - Green on the outers with green showing inside too.
5 - My parting view as we left this woodland before our drive to the national collection.
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Once more, very nice pictures, John!
What a lovely place to stroll.
Enjoy your last weekend! We will join you when we look at your pictures.
Lina.
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Thank's John for a little glimpse into your/Alan's secret world.I thought you had to die,To find a place like that.
Oh i,It can't of been that cold,Because Alan's not got his hat on..... ;D
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Oh i,It can't of been that cold,Because Alan's not got his hat on..... ;D
Hard to pull the wool over the eyes of a forumist....... well spotted!
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We arrived at Margaret and David MacLennan's house about one hour after leaving some of Alan's secret areas. We were worried for a minute or two as we could get no answer to our knocks at the front door or our calling over the fence. Alan then found that a side gate was unlocked and we spotted our hosts for the afternoon were out of earshot in a distant part of their garden. I do not know how big the garden is in square metres - but it is big!
I had no idea who would be arriving to share an afternoon with snowdrops; but we were the first to get there. After spending a cold morning in woodlands it was lovely to hear Margaret utter the words "would you like some hot soup". How could there be more than one answer to that question? ;D A few seconds later I found myself tucking into a warming bowl of soup and two chunks of filling bread. Margaret noticed I was already half way through my soup and gave me a top up. Perfect. 8) My soup was followed by cups of tea and a wide selection of cakes. ;D
15 minutes later I looked over my shoulder to see that Brian Ellis arrive with his chauffeur. ;) And then in quick succession the rest of companions for the afternoon arrived.
As we set off on our garden tour, and as a lover of Cyclamen, it was great to see the first bed heaving at the seams with Cyclamen coum. They look soooooooo good en masse. I really should have taken more pictures as there were large drifts of Cyclamen were all over this area - but I got distracted from taking pictures by everything I was seeing.
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Just to point out that I arrived with David in the car, we weren't chauffeur driven!
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John two weeks ago Margaret arranged for Uli and me the only minutes of sun, we could enjoy in UK.
Byndes Cottage is a hospitable place to the Germans too.
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Brian, all car drivers are chauffeurs in the eyes of John :D.
The only important thing: you had an good time allt ogether.
I wish I was there too.
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After admiring the Cyclamen and snowdrop beds our party wandered out onto a lawned part of the garden with various snowdrop areas. The first we encountered was explained as a previous Orchid bed - the current netting is to keep the pheasants from destroying the Galanthus flowers. I know I am always moaning about my tiny garden - but after this seasons discussions with fellow gardeners I guess, in a way, that I might be lucky as I has never had a pheasant picking flowers, a rabbit digging up, a squirrel emptying pots, or deer trampling things.
1 - Old Orchid bed.
2 - Slightly raised beds with path through middle.
3 - One of the two brick built raised beds.
4 - A certain Mr King; photographer extraordinaire.
EDIT: 5 - just spotted another pic that I like of the old Orchid bed.
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15 minutes later I looked over my shoulder to see that Brian Ellis arrive with his chauffeur.
Chauffeur? It's amazing how you can rapidly go off people!
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Chauffeur? It's amazing how you can rapidly go off people!
Sorry David. ;D
When Ian was alive and driving me all over the place for plants (sometimes doing 800 miles in a snowdrop weekend) he joked that he was my chauffeur. ::)
About 10 years ago when we both went to meet the National collection holder of Asplenium scolopendrium for the first time I emailed ahead to say that "I would be arriving with the chauffeur at 13.00".
There was laughter all round when we turned up at their door in our combat clothing; as they had been rather concerned whether the correct protocol was to take a tray of food out to the driver in his car or whether to ignore him. LOL ;D
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And there was I thinking our garden was quite large John! The drifts of Cyclamen coum are most impressive - it reminds me of an area just to the side of the rock garden at Wisley, under an Acer. The raised beds with snowdrops are fascinating - I've never seen polygonal beds built like this before and they must provide excellent drainage in the same way that John and Carolyn Millen's do at Spring Platt. Having gone down with a bad dose of flu I missed meeting Margaret MacLennan at the Harlow AGS Show, but we did sell a good number of snowdrops there which was pleasing. However many cultivars of snowdrops does a National Collection holder hold?
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Margaret is very keen on chipping snowdrops and is one of the guys&gals that help out Anglesey Abbey with increasing their rare bulbs.
I thought I had seen all of the garden and was already completely "WOWED". But in the words of Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket: "and there's more"!...
Margaret unlocked a gate and led us into the orchard. Here we found all the overflow and the '2, 3, 4 year old' chips that were awaiting a place in the main garden. David has been working hard creating net covered wooden framed roofs for the beds that house all of these. The nets I saw over the drop beds are about a 1cm square and permanently in place to stop big critters (mammals!). There is also a much finer mesh rolled up in waiting that will be placed over the beds later on to stop the dreaded Narcissus fly.
1 - A pic I just found from earlier in the afternoon that I like.
2, 3, 4 - Nursery beds
After a lovely sunny after the temperature suddenly dropped. I first noticed people doing the tapping toe heel toe thing. Then the stamping feet on the spot thing. And then I suddenly experienced the back of my bald head is hurting thing. So it was time for Alan and I to leave this wonderful collection and for me to relax for the 1 hour drive and 3 hour train journey home.
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It seems, you all had a good time - with some sun :D.
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Here are a few of the National Collection visit from another viewpoint.
1. Margaret MacLennan and Cliff Curtis.
2. From left: Joan Curtis, Carole Smith and Sharon White walking through a small part of the Cyclamen display.
3. Brian Ellis and the Chauffered.
4. From left: John Foster, Margaret MacLennan, Brenda Foster (top of head), KG and Brian Ellis.
5. The man in the passenger seat.
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Even if you were not a dedicated Galanthophile, I don't think you could help but be infected by Margaret's enthusiasm for her snowdrops.
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I do appreciate the fantastic effort that has gone into the "housing" of the 'drops and I like the neat raised beds but, goodness me, those drifts of cyclamen are truly scrumptious!
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A few more:
1. Joan Curtis, Alan Leslie, Cliff Curtis, Carole Smith, Margaret and David MacLennan.
2. John Foster, Brenda Foster, Sharon White, KG, Margaret MacLennan, Cliff & Joan Curtis, Brian Eliis.
3. Getting down to the real business.
4. A long way to go chaps.
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WOW what a place . Thanks for sharing your wonderful day with us again ;D
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What a fantastic place!!
Three or four years ago I met Margaret and her husband when we were waiting in the cue at Kalmthout. We did have a very nice conversation and were invited to visit her garden.
One day we will go there!!!!
Lina.
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Is DSCF5157 the only picture you have of Kit Gray-Wilson and Ann Borrill John, they seem a long way away!
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They did arrive a little late after getting lost so didn't feature in most of the photographs. All my pictures with them in seem far away.
Here is a zoomed one. :)
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4. A long way to go chaps.
;D
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I do not know how big the garden is in square metres
A few acres rather than square metres John, and thanks for the zoom, nice to see them there as we don't seem to have a photo either, they were so far behind us.
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John and David too, good pics you made. Thought I was a member of the group too.
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John and David too, good pics you made. Thought I was a member of the group too.
What a shame you were not Hagen, you would have enjoyed it all the more for being well again. It was a lovely afternoon with good company as well as excellent hosts.
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Sunday morning found me on a train a little before 08.00 off to meet Arthur and Jennie for the journey to Bennington Lordship. A great write up and photo log of the day has already been written about the meeting at Bennington by Jennie and Gail already on another thread - so i shall keep this entry mainly to the photographs.
1 - The group has gathered and are just about to set out on our guided garden tour. (left to right: Vic, Ali, Richard (with Simon Hiding behind!), Alan, Jennie, Chris, Gail, Arthur).
2 - Snowdrops and Aconites
3 - Crocus
4 - Pruned and trained trees (and the only Pic of Simon from the day!)
5 - Jennie (in an Emma T creation), Ali and Alan admiring some drops.
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1 - the apple tree bank that Richard has been planting up for the last few years.
2 - the long summer borders (that are slowly getting more drops planted in them ;) )
3 - Washfield Colesbourne
4 - Diggory
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The final few from Bennington.
1 - the Moat in one direction
2 - the Moat looking the other way
3 - Jennie and Arthur in the moat (they were a few minutes behind us as they managed to walk straight past the entrance to the moat as they were too busy chatting! Then had to double back to find where the rest of us had disappeared to. ;D )
4 - A view up the moat side
5 - My lasting memory of this meeting is going to be how many times we all laughed. (And Simon managed to hide again! But you can see his arms!....... ::) )
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Last photo is great :D
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Last photo is great :D
Isn't it? :D I thought for a moment that Ali was sporting a rather odd new hat......... ::)
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John - what a busy weekend you had. Great accounts of two totally different types of garden and I enjoyed them both very much.
It must have been exciting to see the National Collection and I imagine your 'wish list' must have grown a bit after your visit :D It is fascinating to see how the collection is grown and it looks a lot of work. It's a great idea to have the netting to pull over them to keep the dreaded NF out and I hope to rig up something similar myself for the potted plants.
It was a really good day at Bennington Lordship with lots of laughing as you have captured in the photos. Richard's friend Victor was a hoot although I did not agree with his method of keeping squirrels off the bird table ;D ;D It was strange being in the garden after it was announced that the Eagle Owl had been spotted near the moat - I did find myself looking up from time to time! Wonderful day & wonderful people.
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After leaving Bennington on Sunday there were still a couple of daylight hours remaining. Arthur had forgotten to hit the record button for the 4pm football match on TV so our first stop was his house. We managed to get there a few minutes kick-off so Arthur was happy not to have missed anything. We then continued the short distance to Jennie's house. Sadly we only had an hour of daylight to try and cram in as much of Jennie's garden as possible - so I have not taken as many photographs as I would have liked and the ones I have taken it was difficult to get the contrast good.
I must say that after reading some of Jennie's post's about Galanthus problems and losing various plants since last year I was kind of expecting a wilderness devoid of snowdrops. How wrong I was! I would guess the garden is over an acre with it split into various areas. All around the main part is the track of a ride on miniature railway complete with 30ft of tunnels. It must have been such fun growing up in a garden with it's own railway! 8)
1 - Some of the train tracks going past a colourful stand of Cornus.
2 - Jennie and Arthur next to the first snowdrops we saw.
3 - A metal bridge over the railway. You can just see the tunnel entrance in the background.
4 - A clump of viridapice.
5 - A rather nice hybrid Hamamelis (that I think was called 'Rhubarb and Custard'?) 'Strawberries and Cream'
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1 - A small part of the woodland area that Jennie has started planting up in the lasts few years.
2 - Fruit tree area with snowdrops in the foreground.
3 - One of the many borders containing snowdrops.
4 - One of Jennie's own Hellebore crosses.
5 - We were then shown the potting shed (complete with desk, fridge and sofa!). And big surprise was when a door was opened at the back of the potting shed to reveal part of her Hemerocallis collection. You can just make out my host and Arthur in the picture for scale!
Sadly the hour of daylight went very quickly and there was so much more I could have taken pictures of. This garden is definitely going on my 'wish to visit again when I have more time' list.
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5 - A rather nice hybrid Hamamelis (that I think was called 'Rhubarb and Custard'?)
It was 'Strawberries and Cream'
If anyone can advise on how we could take cuttings from this magnificent tree, John and I would be very grateful.
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I think you'll have to resort to grafting the Hamamelis Art.
johnw
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I think you'll have to resort to grafting the Hamamelis Art.
johnw
Might it work from an air-layer?
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I was going to suggest layering Maggi, as they are a little tricky to strike.
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I spent my childhood playing with trains - but indoors - how incredible to have a railway in the garden! There is a good precedent, Alan Bloom at Bressingham!! I would still have to scratch my head if asked to choose between an Alpine Show and a Model Railway exhibition - so much skill goes into them.
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Wish I had known you were coming John - in every photo I want to reach in and move a plastic pot or cut back a Hellebore stalk! However, it is a big garden and it takes a lot of getting on top of especially at this time of year. The daylily field is now half tidied and looking much better - next to weed the woodlands to make new beds.....not so easy :)
Considering the time of day and lack of daylight time I think you managed to get quite a few decent photos. It was a very mad quick dash round and was getting very cold. You are welcome to come back (and anyone else that would like to visit) when the daylilies are flowering - it is quite a sight around mid July.
Here's a photo of a small section of the field in mid July.....
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Here's a photo of a small section of the field in mid July.....
Oooh! VERY nice! :) 8)
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Wow Jenny, that looks stunning!! :)
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I know John wasn't active here anymore but his legacy will live on . Many happy memories re-reading this :'(