Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: KentGardener on February 01, 2010, 06:27:31 AM

Title: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 01, 2010, 06:27:31 AM
Hi All

Yesterday I was very lucky to be invited to visit two gardens with lots of snowdrops in them - many of the flowers were not out yet because of the cold weather we have had in recent weeks - but here are some pictures of a few things that caught my eye (sorry some of the photos are not up to my usual standard but I spent most of the time talking and eating  ;D)

Trymmer
[attachthumb=1]

Aladdin
[attachthumb=2]

Godfrey Owen
[attachthumb=3]

Lulu
[attachthumb=4]

Beanie
[attachthumb=5]

Lynch Green
[attachthumb=6]

Moyas Green
[attachthumb=7]

Franz Josef
[attachthumb=8]

Corkscrew looking great in the frost
[attachthumb=9]

And a picture that you will wonder why I have posted it - but I found it enchanting that this is the unassuming spot that the wonderful Galanthus 'David Baker' appeared as a chance seedling.
[attachthumb=10]
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 01, 2010, 09:58:20 AM
Thanks John, I like the Corkscrew with frost.  The Frans Joseph looks quite different to the one that was being advertised on ebay - amazing how flowers change from bud to full bloom.  Aladdin looks very smart, and then, of course, there is Moyas Green which is even better ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Ragged Robin on February 01, 2010, 11:04:05 AM
Quote
And a picture that you will wonder why I have posted it - but I found it enchanting that this is the unassuming spot that the wonderful Galanthus 'David Baker' appeared as a chance seedling.

A happy landing place amongst the cyclamen with their leaves making a great canvas for your chance seedling, John....I love these unexpected surprises where plants feel totally at home  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 01, 2010, 07:36:13 PM
John,

A nice selection there. Some nicely marked green-tipped flowers.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 01, 2010, 07:40:14 PM
A few from the garden here, taken on Saturday but only sorted now. Paddy

Anglesey Abbey
Blewberry Tart - this group has clumped up nicely
Colossus
Compton Court
Diggory - a small flower as this is its first time flowering.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 01, 2010, 07:44:17 PM
Dionysus - still showing those little green tips which were present last year.
Fred's Giant - the correct one this year, I hope. I had posted a "Fred's Giant" which was not, in the opinion of some forum members, as it should be.
G71 - this is bulking up quite quickly.
Gerard Parker
Hughes' Emerald
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 01, 2010, 07:47:52 PM
Magnet - I spread this out a few years ago and it is making an impression now
Mrs. McNamara
Ophelia - a great snowdrop to bulk up.
Peter Gatehouse
Rizehensis
Rizehensis
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 01, 2010, 07:52:33 PM
Sally Pasmore - Mary wanted this for several years and we got it eventually last year. It has lived up to expectations, a lovely snowdrop.
Trymlet - not open yet but looking well.
Woodtown - rescued from a Dublin garden which was going to be built upon. This has all the appearances of being an excellent snowdrop, healthy, vigorous, big-flowered and attractive in a group.
Yvonne group - named as I received it.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 01, 2010, 09:19:55 PM
Great to see your snowdrops Paddy.  Looking forward to seeing more from everyone before too long!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 02, 2010, 01:56:17 AM
John & Paddy - I am thoroughly enjoying your great photos here in what seems to be the Arctic.  It crawled up to -4c today but I'm dreading the rest of the week.

A cold night here and I was in the greenhouse - looking quite like the Michelin Man - the following were wide open at 9 pm in the cold:

Byfield Special
nivalis elwesii (ex Clive Boyce) [corrected as also not a named cultivar]
Allison Hillary
Benton Magnet
Bess

Surprised at the huge closed flowers of George Elwes, they really stand out.  I wonder, how do they compare with Colossus?

It seems the foliage on all have grown more today than in the past two weeks.

johnw  
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 02, 2010, 03:30:25 AM
All looking good Paddy - you are definitely ahead of me by a week or two.

I wasn't convinced by that 'Hughes Emerald' when I first saw a picture - but with each successive picture you show, with it's petals filling out, it is appealing to me more and more.

John - I am surprised you could fit into the greenhouse wearing that many layers....   ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 02, 2010, 05:13:28 AM
All looking good Paddy - you are definitely ahead of me by a week or two.


And ahead of me by three weeks or four!  :'(
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 02, 2010, 10:01:53 AM
Quote
Surprised at the huge closed flowers of George Elwes, they really stand out.

Just wait until it opens John, it's a beauty ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 03, 2010, 02:56:37 PM
Nice plants everyone here are a couple of mine getting into their stride

G Mrs Macnammara
G Colesbourne Colossus
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 03, 2010, 04:33:00 PM
I wasn't convinced by that 'Hughes Emerald' when I first saw a picture - but with each successive picture you show, with it's petals filling out, it is appealing to me more and more.

John, I was given a bulb of 'Hughes Emerald' in 2007 and was not overly impressed with it in '08 or '09 but this year I think it is a little cracker. It is low-growing and is less than three inches to the top of the flower. It is really very pretty.

It seems that our warmer weather has brought the snowdrops on quicker than you in the U.K. and every warm sunny day brings them on in leaps and bounds.

Ian, two lovely clumps but the 'Colesbourne Colossus' is particularly good - and you have nice soft weather it would also seem as I see the water dripping off your snowdrops.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 03, 2010, 05:08:15 PM

Ian, two lovely clumps but the 'Colesbourne Colossus' is particularly good - and you have nice soft weather it would also seem as I see the water dripping off your snowdrops.

Paddy

A soft day as you say in the emerald Isle is probably a little warmer than here today. The temperature is about plus 1 but feels much colder brrrrh Dank I think would describe the atmosphere

I think you are right you are well ahead of us over here. Still I suppose it will take only a few days to catch up if the weather warms up here
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gerard Oud on February 03, 2010, 08:22:53 PM
Is this one going to be yellow or not?

Sandersii Blackthorne
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 04, 2010, 12:42:51 AM
It looks like it will be yellow
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Tony Willis on February 04, 2010, 03:50:57 PM
unfortunately my twin petalled Galanthus elwesii/gracilis which was going to make my fortune has reverted this year to a normal three petalled one. However the one with six outer petals and five inner ones has remained stable.From the side it  looks like a leucojum in flower A couple of pictures of it below.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 04, 2010, 03:58:10 PM
Wow. I'll be first in line please :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 04, 2010, 04:06:24 PM
I found a nice elwesii (I think) with four outer petals in a garden centre in New Ross Co.Wexford yesterday. Too wet today to take a pic,maybe tomorrow.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 04, 2010, 04:07:01 PM
Very nice, Tony.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 04, 2010, 04:13:21 PM
Tony, A beautiful plant.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ArneM on February 04, 2010, 04:19:45 PM
Paddy, what a wide range of snowdrops! Always stunning to see them in such huge clumbs. :D

Temperatures are rising here at the Lower Rhine, so my first snowdrop pictures of the year will be posted shortly.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ichristie on February 04, 2010, 04:49:42 PM
 Hi superb piotures and some very interesting snowdrops, Gerard I have the G. sandersii from Blackthorn not yet showing flower but will send a picture when it comes out, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 04, 2010, 05:13:21 PM
Tony - I know that feeling  ::) 

I collected 2 different 4 petal forms in 2008. Last year one of them didn't flower and the other was 3.5 petals.  This year the non flowerer is 3 petals and the 3.5 is 3.5 again (quite an ugly thing really  ::)).

I spotted a 2 petal one in a friends garden in 2009 and am waiting to hear what it gets up to this year.

Good to see your 5 petal'er is at least behaving itself this year.    :)  A nice fat looking thing too.   8) 

I wonder what 2011 has in store for you.   ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 04, 2010, 05:20:05 PM
Very nice Tony, well done.  Always a relief when they start to behave as you want them too.  It's overall flower-shape is very attractive.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Tony Willis on February 04, 2010, 05:41:17 PM
thank you for the comments.All I need now is for it to stay stable and start having offsets.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hans A. on February 04, 2010, 07:03:35 PM
Congratulations Tony, very interesting find!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 04, 2010, 07:16:01 PM
Paddy, what a wide range of snowdrops! Always stunning to see them in such huge clumbs. :D

Temperatures are rising here at the Lower Rhine, so my first snowdrop pictures of the year will be posted shortly.

Hi Arne,

Good to see you on the forum again - absent for a while!

Looking forward to seeing your photographs. Your snowdrops are just coming into flower here and looking very well.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Thomas Seiler on February 04, 2010, 08:41:18 PM
Hello from Germany, :)

this was the first day here with sunshine and a temperature of 8°C.
Nothing as exceptional as Tony's plant in my garden, but maybe nice to see them piercing through the snow  :)

G. 'Henham No 1'
G. 'Richard Ayres'
G. 'North Star'
G. 'Ding Dong'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 04, 2010, 08:45:25 PM
Lovely Thomas, could you possibly take a picture of the inside of 'North Star' as I have lost a label and want to confirm which it is.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Thomas Seiler on February 04, 2010, 08:52:40 PM
Hello Brian, I tried to do so today, but it was impossible ... or I would have to help with my other hand . Maybe next weekend, tomorrow I have to work. 'North Star' is a double one, a seedling of 'Lady Beatrix Stanley' and said to hail from Phil Cornish.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 04, 2010, 09:24:56 PM
Thomas,

Good to see your snowdrops - battling the snow to put on their display.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 04, 2010, 09:51:07 PM
'North Star' is a double one, a seedling of 'Lady Beatrix Stanley' and said to hail from Phil Cornish.


Hello Thomas - thanks for posting your photo's, there is something very special about snowdrops emerging through the snow!

'North Star' is one of John Sales discoveries - in his talk at the 2006 Galanthus Gala he said "Another seedling found in the garden [his garden at 'Covertside'] is similar to 'Lady Beatrix Stanley’ but earlier flowering and more star-shaped. It increases rapidly and is very free-flowering, producing dense masses of flowers, I call it 'North Star’."
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 04, 2010, 10:34:44 PM
Danke Thomas, these are the first galanthus pics, coming from Germany this year. We have more than 40cm of snow in the East of Germany. We learn to wait here and enjoy the pics from a warm Western world. 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 04, 2010, 10:45:04 PM
Thomas - Very nice ones.  The Henham #1 is very smart looking.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 05, 2010, 01:04:33 AM
Galanthus x allenii, a little beauty but one that should be constantly monitored in a collection.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Diane Whitehead on February 05, 2010, 02:42:16 AM
Why does x allenii need monitoring?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 05, 2010, 10:10:11 AM
Hello Brian, I tried to do so today, but it was impossible ... Maybe next weekend, tomorrow I have to work.


Thanks Thomas, no hurry!  Two snowdrops came with labels that disintegrated before I realised it - I must have been on holiday I think when the disaster happened - or on the computer looking at the forum ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 05, 2010, 10:47:29 AM
A couple of shots of my cold frames, and a couple of shots of a pot of snowdrops marked 'Specials'.  Unfortunately I have no reference on the specials - I think I was given them last year by a friend.  Think they are elwesii - can someone confirm please.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Nicholson on February 05, 2010, 11:52:46 AM
A few Snowdrop pictures from me, just to prove I do grow a few. These I claim no cultural praise for as I bought them from the sales table at our local AGS Group meeting last Wednesday from a batch brought in by a local grower, Dot Underhill. Further stock for a little bed I am developing (if I ever get a dry day to continue it) which will be just for Galanthus.

Just a special note for my friend Mike Quest who "lurks" around the Forum. Look good Mike!

Galanthus 'Magnet'
Galanthus 'John Grey'


Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 05, 2010, 12:18:28 PM
I thought 'John Gray' would have been past in Devon by now David? Mine is out here in the garden Dunblane.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 05, 2010, 12:30:37 PM
'John Gray' is out in force in Kent too Anthony.

I must admit that I am considering getting rid of it from my garden as it annoys me each year the way it flops everywhere!   :-\     Last year I moved it so that it was at the edge of a raised bed in the hope that it would fall gracefully over the edge - but nooooo.....  it flops ungracefully in the opposite direction.  ::)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Thomas Seiler on February 05, 2010, 12:31:57 PM
'North Star' is a double one, a seedling of 'Lady Beatrix Stanley' and said to hail from Phil Cornish.


'North Star' is one of John Sales discoveries - in his talk at the 2006 Galanthus Gala he said "Another seedling found in the garden [his garden at 'Covertside'] is similar to 'Lady Beatrix Stanley’ but earlier flowering and more star-shaped. It increases rapidly and is very free-flowering, producing dense masses of flowers, I call it 'North Star’."

Thank you very much for pointing that out, Chris. I even was one of the listeners of that talk by John Sales, but did not remember. It was the Gala without a sound system  :) Now I read the transcript again and realized, that I visited his garden when the 2004 Gala was at Cirencester. Well, all that makes 'North Star' now much more precious for me. It flowered for the first time this year in my garden. A friend brought it two years ago from the snowdrop event at East Lambrook Manor. Presumeable she bought it from Phil Cornish, therefore the note on my index card, which I keep, quite old fashioned, for each variety.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 05, 2010, 01:10:24 PM

I must admit that I am considering getting rid of it from my garden as it annoys me each year the way it flops everywhere!   :-\     Last year I moved it so that it was at the edge of a raised bed in the hope that it would fall gracefully over the edge - but nooooo.....  it flops ungracefully in the opposite direction.  ::)

Joe said at the Blacksmith's talk that it needs to be in full sun and then it doesn't flop so much...so not much hope in your back garden under the tropicals John :-\
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 05, 2010, 01:14:18 PM
few from work today, a little sun finally had a few drops opening in the greenhouse, first open day tomorrow but everything still a long way behind..

snowdrop walk
snowdrop walk
a short early drop from Bill Baker's garden - Bill Baker's Early
Ketton.
Washfield Colesbourne.
a new aquisition this morning, Baylham, very nice, Thanks Steve  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 05, 2010, 01:22:05 PM
Have you got some names for them Richard (it helps with searches in the future if the names are in the post as text  ;))

I am going to a couple of open gardens tomorrow - will be interesting to see what stage their flowers are at.  I think my garden will not look at its best for at least another week (maybe more  :-\)

Your visitors tomorrow will have to spend more time eating cake and drinking tea.  ;D

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 05, 2010, 01:30:22 PM
Things are looking pretty good after the weather we've had , Richard, hope all goes well for the snowdrop season. This is the link to let you know about the open days:
http://www.beningtonlordship.co.uk/events/snowdrops.shtml

John is correct, Richard,having the names of the 'drops in the text is a great help; not only for the search engine but also for those of us who cannot make a guess as to the ID!  :-X
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 05, 2010, 01:37:25 PM
have added names to top of the post  ;)

think it will be a good few weeks before the varieties are anything to look at, a few in the walled garden are starting to appear but even the very early like John Gray have yet to open, and the cold weather is set to return next week, will cry if it snows again  >:(
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 05, 2010, 01:48:32 PM
Thanks, Richard. :-*

We had a fair amount of snow left from last weekend but last night it started to rain and today it is all gone..... plants looking drowned now as well as flattened! They'll soon pick  up again, I'm sure  and I expect that further south, as you are, the season will soon catch up... well, that's what we have to tell ourselves, isn't it?!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ArneM on February 05, 2010, 02:29:53 PM
Paddy, glad to hear that they are doing well with you as yours are perfectly bulking up either. Year by year their clumps become bigger. Hopefully they will be as huge as yours one day. ;D

Hagen, all the snow we had here is gone already. Will you be in Oirlich by the way?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 05, 2010, 04:10:47 PM
I grow John Gray in a trough and raised bed. In the trough it's looking good. In the raised bed it comes up through a Helianthemum
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 05, 2010, 04:18:25 PM
a few more from this pm, just wish we could have more days like today!

If anyone would like to visit outside of opening hours when it's a lot quieter  ;) please let me know, is no problem to arrange but I would leave it a few weeks till there is more to see.

Elmley Lovett, has taken a very long time to settle in, very healthy little clump now.
gracilis "Highdown"
another from Bill Baker.
Daphne's Scissors
My assistant for the afternoon ;D had a lovely time fishing worms out of leaf mould while I was planting.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 05, 2010, 04:28:34 PM
Richard,

Many thanks for a lovely selection; some perfectly beautiful snowdrops there. 'Daphne's Scissors' always strikes me as a very elegant snowdrops. Elmley Lovett is very nicely marked and 'Baylham' holds itself in a very attractive manner. A lovely selection and the mass plantings on the snowdrop walks are very attractive.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 05, 2010, 06:57:58 PM
thanks Paddy,

hope the Diggory I sent a few seasons ago are doing ok.

Washfield Colesbourne is for me about as good as it gets, really is the most elegant & perfectly proportioned plant, am slowly trying to create a big drift of Mighty Atom & WC is next although it's much slower to bulk up, hopefully it'll be complete by the time I retire   :)

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 05, 2010, 08:41:23 PM
I have been waiting for this snowdrop to flower for the last few weeks as I have seen photographs of it previously and was very kindly given a bulb last year. It has not been properly described and published as of yet and so not validly named.

It is a poculiform elwesii and is a delight.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 05, 2010, 09:14:45 PM
It's a lovely thing, Paddy.
We still don't know why x allenii needs to be monitored?  ???
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 05, 2010, 09:19:58 PM
I'll wait until next year to see what this woronowii does. It's also very tall.

I was in a garden today and saw a woronowii that had the tallest scape and largest flower I have ever seen. The leaves were also very  maybe wide c4cm
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 05, 2010, 09:34:18 PM
A couple of shots of my cold frames, and a couple of shots of a pot of snowdrops marked 'Specials'.  Unfortunately I have no reference on the specials - I think I was given them last year by a friend.  Think they are elwesii - can someone confirm please.

I agree they are elwesii, with interesting shape and markings to the outers.  What do the inners look like?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 05, 2010, 09:58:09 PM
It's a lovely thing, Paddy.
We still don't know why x allenii needs to be monitored?  ???

Anne - x allenii can be viral.  Some may be clean but I don't know if the virus is latent and then can re-appear or if when you get a good clean one it stays clean.  Perhaps others can tell us.   I am therefore keeping x allenii and Augustus away from the rest.

Lovely Poc there Paddy.  It will be interesting to see if pollen develops in a few days.

johnw 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 05, 2010, 10:04:24 PM
Paddy it looks like it has good anthers.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 05, 2010, 10:12:01 PM
Very nice Paddy, a real treat.  Have to keep an eye on that one!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 05, 2010, 11:26:52 PM
Does anyone grow plicatus Enid Bromley? It's identical to plicatus Maidwell C.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2010, 12:06:34 AM
'John Gray' is out in force in Kent too Anthony.

I must admit that I am considering getting rid of it from my garden as it annoys me each year the way it flops everywhere!   :-\     Last year I moved it so that it was at the edge of a raised bed in the hope that it would fall gracefully over the edge - but nooooo.....  it flops ungracefully in the opposite direction.  ::)

John Gray does need a position in full sun, plus plenty of feeding and time to settle in. But when it's doing its thing in a good position it's a stunning snowdrop.

I managed to take some quick snaps of clumps in the garden open in the sun today (Friday) on a quick pit-stop to a home and garden that I've seen far too little of recently (on the road all week selling my novel). I'll try to find time to resize and post them tomorrow.

Also found a new beauty flowering amongst my seedlings that really made my day - supposedly a cross between John Gray and Bertram Anderson, which from the look of it might actually have been a rare successful cross between two triploids, showing characteristics of both parents, plus being incredibly strong and stout. My breeding programme may finally be getting somewhere (an improved, stronger John Gray that doesn't flop over so easily in less-than-ideal situations being one of my prime objectives).
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 06, 2010, 07:05:38 AM
Also found a new beauty flowering amongst my seedlings that really made my day - supposedly a cross between John Gray and Bertram Anderson, which from the look of it might actually have been a rare successful cross between two triploids, showing characteristics of both parents, plus being incredibly strong and stout. My breeding programme may finally be getting somewhere (an improved, stronger John Gray that doesn't flop over so easily in less-than-ideal situations being one of my prime objectives).

Congratulations Martin.  Can I put my name down for one in 2015 please  ;D

I've decided to give all my John Gray away, as Brian has correctly said my garden gets very little sun at all during the winter so I am never going to be able to grow John Gray at its best. 

That will also give me a prime planting spot to put one of my others  :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 06, 2010, 07:40:00 AM
Hi Richard

More great photos.  Cute little Robin assistant you have there too.  8)

Is the "Daphne's Scissors" definitely correct?  I have not seen one with green tips before - though I have only seen it in the flesh half a dozen times so I could easily be wrong.

I've always had a soft spot for 'Highdown' - I think it is the colour of the ovary that appeals to me.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 06, 2010, 07:59:37 AM
Mark - interesting Woronowii - it sounds like a real giant - make sure you give us a report next year.

Very nice upright Elwesii poculiform Paddy - looks much better behaved than 'The (floppy) Bride'.   ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 06, 2010, 08:07:33 AM
Quote
Is the "Daphne's Scissors" definitely correct?  I have not seen one with green tips before - though I have only seen it in the flesh half a dozen times so I could easily be wrong.

I hope so, is my 3rd attempt, the first I was given definitely wasn't right, was given another a few years ago which has faint green tips and another 3 bulbs last week which is what I took the photo of yesterday, my other has a better "scissor" and fainter marks which are mentioned in the monograph.

Highdown always looks great in a clump, am always amazed at how tiny the bulbs are.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 06, 2010, 11:11:42 AM
John, this photo shows Daphne's Scissors with a slight green mark
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2010, 02:37:46 PM
Just to show how good 'John Gray' can look when it's in a sunny spot, well fed and settled in (which admittedly can take a few years), some quick snaps of established clumps in the garden yesterday:

The first pic is in a shadier spot, the second two in full sun.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2010, 02:46:39 PM
And some equally quick snaps of the nice newcomer I found amongst my seedlings yesterday. Supposed to be a cross between the two relatively infertile triploids 'John Gray' and 'Bertram Anderson', and it does show some characteristics of both parents, plus it's very strong and sturdy, and looks like it may well be polyploid (triploid or tetraploid):

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2010, 02:49:51 PM
Just measured my new seedling (pics just posted) and, to give you an idea of size, it's 25cm tall with outer flower segments 3cm long and 2cm wide. It's a bit of a thunker.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2010, 02:51:01 PM
Okay, silly mistake in that last post. I put the outer segments are 30cm long. Now corrected.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 06, 2010, 03:03:50 PM
Martin - That one looks very good   We certainly need good-doers that spread like mad.  And thanks for the tip on John Gray, what a difference.

Have you thought of going at some of the sprouting seeds with colchicine?  Perhaps a new race of Frankendrops.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 06, 2010, 03:25:30 PM
That is a very shapely thunker you have there, Martin, congratulations!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 06, 2010, 03:28:20 PM
Yes indeed, well put Maggi.  I will certainly put John Gray in full sun, what a difference it makes!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2010, 03:44:13 PM
Looks like it'll have plenty of flower power too - twin scapes (and very strong, sturdy ones) from the mother bulb and also flowering on the still fully attached and quite small daughter bulb.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 06, 2010, 03:53:49 PM
I have just been struck by the second tragedy of the month.  Checking the garden today I find that Galanthus Snoopy, from Ian of the Christie kind, which had two nice flowers developing has been uncovered to a depth of about 4 " and the leaves eaten, the scapes left lying on the ground.  There is only about half an inch growing above the bulb now.  Any suggestions as to the culprit, tell tale rabbit droppings nearby, and to the best way to keep the poor defenceless remains?  :'( :'(
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 06, 2010, 04:56:36 PM
I have just been struck by the second tragedy of the month.  Checking the garden today I find that Galanthus Snoopy, from Ian of the Christie kind, which had two nice flowers developing has been uncovered to a depth of about 4 " and the leaves eaten, the scapes left lying on the ground.  There is only about half an inch growing above the bulb now.  Any suggestions as to the culprit, tell tale rabbit droppings nearby, and to the best way to keep the poor defenceless remains?  :'( :'(

Brian my sympathies this is what I find I have left of a group of Anglesey Abbey. Have cleaned them and covered them in yellow sulphur dust and will pot in intensive care tommorrow  :'(
a shot of what's left and a close up of the gruesome detail
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hans A. on February 06, 2010, 04:58:24 PM
Wonderful snowdrop, Martin!

Perhaps the opposite in size is this G. elwesii. This tiny 'Giant Snowdrop' is still large enough to be found by slugs...
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 06, 2010, 05:38:27 PM
Martin,

Great seedling, looks outstanding. Good parentage.


Ian, I had similar trouble with two nice clumps and lost almost all of them. With one clump I had another group elsewhere in the garden but of the other I am left with only three bulbs and the casualties which I treated in the same manner as you did. We can only hope for recovery.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 06, 2010, 11:17:37 PM
edit by maggi : remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them!


Hi All

I've enjoyed another great day today visiting gardens full of snowdrops.  

AlanB and his lovely wife Corinne arrived at my place in Kent at 11am.  A quick whiz round my tiny patch followed by a warming bowl of homemade soup and then we headed off to the first garden.  The same was found as last weekend, it was still a little too early for things to be out in abundance or for many to look at their best - but there was still loads to see and a couple of things caught my eye once again.

'Hunton Herald' - a 'Three Ships' type that is a week or two later.
[attachthumb=1]

The following one I was at first convinced was just Anglesea Abbey - but on comparing them I could see a lot of difference.  If this one behaves like this all the time I would even say that it may be the better of the two, in my humble opinion.  Nice shiny green leaves, regular poculiform flowers and with the anthers showing a yellow glow through the petals as a bonus when the sun shines.   8)  I will be interested to watch this one over the coming years.

'Loose Spirit'
[attachthumb=2]

Then onto my second garden of the day (Mr & Mrs B's third garden ;-)).  We actually arrived rather late here due to our very pleasant overrun at the last.  I have found it amazing over the last two weekends at just how quickly one hour actually turns out to be more than two hours!    Fortunately for us a quick telephone ahead call was made to warn that we were running late (the garden was due to close at 4pm and we didn't arrive until well past that   ::) ).  When we got there dusk was less than an hour away so there wasn't a lot of time for photographs if we were to fit in the tea, cake and chat.   ;D

Corinne by this time was freezing cold and stayed in the car - but the wonderful hosts insisted on taking a hot cup of tea and a piece of cake out to the car park for her while Alan and I carried on admiring the 'drops.  (I think they saw the car shivering!   ;))

A lot of the planting is quite new but I really liked the tiered and raised beds they are creating with sleepers - it was great for looking at the flowers - (and also for me clambering over them in my big boots with my camera).  I didn't take many photographs but here are a few snaps (sorry, but in the failing light they are not great):

Diggory
[attachthumb=3]

The Pearl
[attachthumb=4]

The new raised beds and tiered beds
[attachthumb=5]

[attachthumb=6]

[attachthumb=7]

I am looking forward to seeing this garden again in a year or two once the 'drops have have filled out.

Our last view from their garden as we were leaving near sunset.   8)
[attachthumb=8]

Back to my place for a quick vegetarian banquet (well a couple of curries I had cooked in the morning that I just needed to reheat) and my guests then had the long drive back to Cambridgeshire.

A really enjoyable day.  I'm looking forward to next weekends gardens already.   :)



Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 06, 2010, 11:19:03 PM
I got this snowdrop as Trym but have labelled them Trym impostor.   I wonder if anyone has any ideas?  I am leaning towards Trymlet.  The outers to date have not flared out like Trym and the markings are not quite Trym but are very variable.  It bulks up nicely.

It does set seed but none of the seedlings have flowered to date.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 06, 2010, 11:41:08 PM
Martin my John Gray look like your first pic except mine are in full sun
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 07, 2010, 06:24:45 AM
I got this snowdrop as Trym but have labelled them Trym impostor.   I wonder if anyone has any ideas?  ...

johnw

My understanding is that Trym sets seed very readily and many seedlings have Trym-like markings.  A few of these have been named but there must be many hundreds out there that have not.  Many commercial growers will chop up their bulbs to increase their rate of increase and the less scrupulous of these growers possibly don't wait until the resultant bulbs have flowered before selling them.  It is remotely possible that a chance consequence of this process may be to produce a novel clone - as happens with hyacinths.  Mistake, seedling or chance mutation, my feeling is that no matter how much your Trym impostor resembles another Trym-like cultivar, it would be wrong to assume it really is a clone of that cultivar.  Maybe one day soon we will all have access to genetic fingerprinting of plants and will be able to prove whether or not two that closely resemble each other really are clones.  Until that time, you will have to call it "Trympostor"!  
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 07, 2010, 08:06:01 AM

a shot of what's left and a close up of the gruesome detail

My deepest sympathies, but if it had been a narcissus fly, wouldn't the grub still be inside?  I am convinced that the snowdrop has more insect predators than just the narcissus fly.  If I remember correctly, Joe Sharman thinks that chafer grubs swift moth larvae [thanks to Gail for the reminder] will go for snowdrops.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gail on February 07, 2010, 08:19:16 AM
In my garden it is the larvae of swift moths that eat the snowdrops.  They look like the ugly big brothers of vine weevil larvae and can do a lot of damage even to things like mature peonies.  There are a couple of different species of swift moths including Hepialus lupulinus. Females lay in flight, one moth can drop thousands of eggs.
Picture is (I think) the moth and cocoon.  I've got pics of the larvae somewhere - I'll try and find them and scan them.

[attachimg=1]

edit by maggi: Gail's picture : Hepialus (88.91 KB, 1854x1342 - viewed 23 times.) is rather large and not too clear.....Mark Smyth has resized it to 700 pixels wide and it is posted  on the next page (7) of this thread in Reply #90 and reposted here           
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 07, 2010, 08:40:22 AM
I've had more problems with things being dug up this year than any other, most of it looks like Rabbit damage but the Badgers have been busy doing some major destruction as well, someone told me last week a clump of Diggory had been dug up, fortunately their ID skills aren't that good  ;) and it was only a group of elwesii.

would be surprised if a bunny had actually eaten the bulb and leaves? but the hard weather has made them do all sorts of odd things here, inc nibbling a lot of bark from the bottom of a Tulip Tree, which has never happened before.

Muntjac? or Squirrel maybe, bulbs might have been dug and then eaten by something else.


Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 07, 2010, 11:28:51 AM
Richard I too had wondered about the eating of the leaves, although Lambrook Greensleeves was chewed slightly too.  I scattered chicken manure pellets everywhere yesterday afternoon and we put out a humane trap, this morning nothing - not even a scrape so that's good.  I was told to spread chicken manure pellets over freshly planted peas to stop them being eaten by mice, and to spread them where cats had messed as the scent overpowers the peas and mess and stops it happening again.  Fingers crossed it works as a deterrent for me too!

Is John's plant 'Green of Hearts'? I remember seeing it a couple of years ago and it looked very much like that I think - a better authority is required, perhaps someone grows it?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 07, 2010, 11:36:50 AM
Alan like you say I dont think that's Narcissus fly damage. They are much neater.

here's Gail's moth
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 07, 2010, 12:05:50 PM
Thanks for resizing Gail's picture, Mark. :)

I don't know, sometimes I wonder how we gardeners do mange to keep going..... we've adversw weatehr to contend wit, any number of pests and predators attacking our precious plants..... these instances of damage in this thread, the Wilson's report of rot in another thread (Galanthus disease http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4956.msg134453#msg134453) .....you'd think we could be given a wee window of unadultered joy at the start of the growing season before the critters start back at us?!! I'm off to enjoy the photos from sunnier climes to cheer myself up... the UK is just too dangerous meantime!!  :P ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2010, 01:37:23 PM
Anyone got a pic of Galanthus schahoricus?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 07, 2010, 01:46:09 PM
Anyone got a pic of Galanthus schahoricus?
Never heard of it , Anthony!  :-\
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2010, 02:02:53 PM
Anyone got a pic of Galanthus schahoricus?
Never heard of it , Anthony!  :-\

Yet it does exist as I have one in a pot which will open soon.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Diane Clement on February 07, 2010, 02:08:44 PM
Yet it does exist as I have one in a pot which will open soon.  

Kew database has it now as G alpinus alpinus (easier to spell   ::) )

Kew link to Galanthus schaoricus (http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?accepted_id=310851&repSynonym_id=307573&name_id=307609&status=false)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 07, 2010, 02:11:15 PM
Thanks, Diane. I found nothing in IPNI.
So this is an Eastern European naming, hanging on ..... another case for a revolving label !
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 07, 2010, 02:13:39 PM

Yet it does exist as I have one in a pot which will open soon.

I reckon that the fact that one is in possession of a plant bearing "a name" is no guarantee that the name is valid... ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Diane Clement on February 07, 2010, 02:15:30 PM
Thanks, Diane. I found nothing in IPNI.
So this is an Eastern European naming, hanging on ..... another case for a revolving label !  

It's there all right (no central "h"), but IPNI does not have all modern name changes

IPNI link to Galanthus schaoricus  (http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do;jsessionid=EFED9DA0FBA188DEAF56ECB58E83F220?id=64510-1&back_page=%2Fipni%2FeditAdvPlantNameSearch.do%3Bjsessionid%3DEFED9DA0FBA188DEAF56ECB58E83F220%3Ffind_infragenus%3D%26find_isAPNIRecord%3Dtrue%26find_geoUnit%3D%26find_includePublicationAuthors%3Dtrue%26find_addedSince%3D%26find_family%3D%26find_genus%3Dgalanthus%26find_sortByFamily%3Dtrue%26find_isGCIRecord%3Dtrue%26find_infrafamily%3D%26find_rankToReturn%3Dall%26find_publicationTitle%3D%26find_authorAbbrev%3D%26find_infraspecies%3D%26find_includeBasionymAuthors%3Dtrue%26find_modifiedSince%3D%26find_isIKRecord%3Dtrue%26find_species%3D%26output_format%3Dnormal)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 07, 2010, 02:21:08 PM
Thanks, Diane. I found nothing in IPNI.
So this is an Eastern European naming, hanging on ..... another case for a revolving label !  

It's there all right, but IPNI does not have all modern name changes

IPNI link to Galanthus schaoricus  (http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do;jsessionid=EFED9DA0FBA188DEAF56ECB58E83F220?id=64510-1&back_page=%2Fipni%2FeditAdvPlantNameSearch.do%3Bjsessionid%3DEFED9DA0FBA188DEAF56ECB58E83F220%3Ffind_infragenus%3D%26find_isAPNIRecord%3Dtrue%26find_geoUnit%3D%26find_includePublicationAuthors%3Dtrue%26find_addedSince%3D%26find_family%3D%26find_genus%3Dgalanthus%26find_sortByFamily%3Dtrue%26find_isGCIRecord%3Dtrue%26find_infrafamily%3D%26find_rankToReturn%3Dall%26find_publicationTitle%3D%26find_authorAbbrev%3D%26find_infraspecies%3D%26find_includeBasionymAuthors%3Dtrue%26find_modifiedSince%3D%26find_isIKRecord%3Dtrue%26find_species%3D%26output_format%3Dnormal)
Ah, yes, there is often a clue.... the link is to Galanthus schaoricus NOT Galanthus schahoricus   ::) :P
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 07, 2010, 02:54:31 PM
Alan -  It will stay as Trympostor.  I just thought it would be an easy mistake to read a Trymlet label as Trym when in a rush to pack an order.  The supplier was extremely scrupulous so I assume it is a named cultivar or a self-sown seedling in a clump of Trym.  You're quite correct - the jury is out.

Brian  - Green of Hearts was a thought but since the bulbs were shipped dormant I thought the label or a seedling might be a better explanation. Only I would think Trym when reading a Green of Hearts label, conjuring up a mental image and then walking off to pack it as Trym!

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2010, 03:33:43 PM
Mine came with the label already written, hence the 'h'. here's a Google link: http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://flower.onego.ru/lukov/ena_7387.jpg&imgrefurl=http://flower.onego.ru/lukov/galant_v.html&usg=__D46HbG7tGTCA0eb1dv6LptxaqoM=&h=600&w=800&sz=96&hl=en&start=19&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=2ZZhiH8JgjFEJM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgalanthus%2Bschaoricus%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2010, 03:45:56 PM
An hour in the kitchen and the flower opened.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 07, 2010, 04:16:42 PM
A very nice inner marking, Anthony.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 07, 2010, 05:11:13 PM
That's a sweetie Anthony, thanks for showing us.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 07, 2010, 05:22:09 PM
I bought this snowdrop at Wisley and would like to know if it is a named 'drop'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Jo on February 07, 2010, 05:37:02 PM
Is the leaf base plicated Arthur ? 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 07, 2010, 06:15:51 PM
Bloody cold and miserable here today - but took a few quick snaps in the garden - bad light but did my best.

My new snowdrop of yesterday - thanks Alan.   8)
'Green Light'
[attachthumb=1]

I've shown it already this year - but 'Ding Dong' really does catch my eye every day at the moment.
[attachthumb=3]

'Trumps'
[attachthumb=2]

'Bungee' starting to perform after 4 years.
[attachthumb=4]

The unique shape of 'Finchale Abbey' (makes me think of tulips)
[attachthumb=5]

Really not my best photograph ever - but this is a twin header that BrianE, DavidQ and I spotted last year - and I am very happy to see that this year it has become two bulbs and both are twin headed.,   8)
[attachthumb=6]

[attachthumb=7]


Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 07, 2010, 06:19:39 PM
Is the leaf base plicated Arthur ? 

Jo
Slightly difficult to tell, but on balance Yes  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 07, 2010, 06:20:57 PM
Arthurs snowdrop looks like Atkinsii/Lyn/Silverwells .....
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 07, 2010, 06:25:51 PM
Arthurs snowdrop looks like Atkinsii/Lyn/Silverwells .....

Mark

One pot was marked 'Lynn'  :), however, apparently identical snowdrops were marked 'Limetree' ( do not think so  ???)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2010, 06:39:42 PM
What are the leaves of 'Lightbulb' like?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 07, 2010, 06:48:03 PM
Arthur Greenfields has a different mark. Best advise dont buy single mark snowdrops unless they stand out
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 07, 2010, 06:50:00 PM
'Finchale Abbey' is very elegant.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 07, 2010, 06:59:38 PM
Arthur Greenfields has a different mark. Best advise dont buy single mark snowdrops unless they stand out

Greenfields  ???
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 07, 2010, 07:04:49 PM
This is my Greenfields http://www.snowdropinfo.com/greenfield.html (http://www.snowdropinfo.com/greenfield.html)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 07, 2010, 07:15:13 PM
Mark

I never mentioned Greenfield  ???
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 07, 2010, 07:23:31 PM
Arthur,

Your snowdrop has all the appearances of G. Atkinsii or of one of the Atkinsii cultivars, Lyn, Silverwells, Moccas form and, to be honest, there is very little to differentiate between them. I think G. Atkinsii, and its cultivars, make excellent garden snowdrops.

John,
A lovely selection of snowdrops.

Re 'Finchale Abbey': I see a similar shape to the outer segments in G. 'Lady Moore' here in my garden, obvious when the flower is open but not as much as 'Finchale Abbey' when closed.

P.S. I meant to add that I agree with you on 'Ding Dong', I think it is a great snowdrop, great size and great markings, healthy etc.  Also, your double-header is a great snowdrop altogether.
Photograph for comparison. Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 07, 2010, 07:29:28 PM
oops sorry Arthur

It looks like Janet's Limetree that looks like .......
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 07, 2010, 07:36:41 PM
 :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 07, 2010, 08:44:15 PM
Snowdrops from Saturday last at home; probably with repeats of previous postings as I simply took what caught my eye as I walked around.
Paddy

Anglesey Abbey in a group
Anglesey Abbey
Augustus
Benton Magnet
Brenda Troyle
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 07, 2010, 08:47:07 PM
A few more: Paddy

Brocklamont Seedling - from the garden of Margaret Glynn in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
Bungee
Cedric's Prolific - lives up to its name, a good snowdrop in the garden
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 07, 2010, 08:51:08 PM
A few more, Paddy

Comet
Compton Court
David Baker
Desdemona
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 07, 2010, 08:56:22 PM
Last few for tonight - wouldn't want to strain Maggi's eyes...(Yes, she does look at all these snowdrops and is only pretending she is not interested)

Ding Dong - as John said earlier, this is a wonderful snowdrop.
Bertram Anderson - must have been a very well-fed child to have such a plump snowdrop named after him.
ex Whitton - know nothing about this, a snowdrop from a garden in the U.K.
Grumpy - such expressive markings.
Hippolyta
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gail on February 07, 2010, 09:23:10 PM
Thanks for sorting out the moth picture for me Mark.  Here is the one of the larvae, please feel free to adjust as necessary...

edit by maggi: Gail, I've resized it for you...the picture, not the larva....
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 07, 2010, 09:25:15 PM
I bought this snowdrop at Wisley and would like to know if it is a named 'drop'

I think the answer must be no, or you would not be asking the question!!  In my opinion, which I have already written once before, today, you can only ask if it resembles a named drop.  One day maybe we will all be able to send away plant samples and have them genetically fingerprinted for a small fee.  When that day comes you will know if your Wisley snowdrop is one of the named varieties.  I suspect that we may also find that some of the classic named varieties are not all the same clone because mistakes and confusions and misidentifications have arisen over the years.        
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 07, 2010, 09:30:06 PM
'Finchale Abbey' is very elegant.

I agree completely.  I was very taken with it when I saw it yesterday in KentGardener's Kent garden.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 07, 2010, 09:31:02 PM
Paddy, not only Maggie is looking for the newest snowdrop pics. I`m too. My eyes only see snow week for week. Only your fresh pics in the forum say: also this winter finds an end!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 07, 2010, 09:37:38 PM
Paddy, not only Maggie is looking for the newest snowdrop pics. I`m too. My eyes only see snow week for week. Only your fresh pics in the forum say: also this winter finds an end!

Hagen,

I'm getting my photographs posted as soon as the snowdrops are out because I know there will be a flood of reports from Germany as soon as the weather improves.

In the meantime, enjoy the photographs from a mild Ireland.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 07, 2010, 09:44:35 PM
John,
A lovely selection of snowdrops.

......... Also, your double-header is a great snowdrop altogether.


In 2003 I was very excited to find a double-headed nivalis.  Since then it has formed a clump of a few bulbs but I have had to wait until this year (2010!) for one of them to again produce a double-headed flower.  If John (KentGardener) has found a snowdrop that does this reliably and produces offsets that do the same then he has a real find.  Of course, he will have to wait a few more years to know if that is true but it's a very promising start.      
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2010, 10:06:05 PM
My clumps of 'Magnet' seem to be producing more twin-flowered stems again.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 07, 2010, 10:43:26 PM
Quote
If John (KentGardener) has found a snowdrop that does this reliably and produces offsets that do the same then he has a real find.

Alan I am a bit behind John, but we are hoping that mine will also produce a double decker...providing it survives, I have surrounded a couple with cages as I couldn't bear losing them!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 08, 2010, 08:54:11 AM
last few from the greenhouse, snowing :( for last hour or so but not settling, guess it'll be a while before much is worth photographing in the borders.

Reverend Hailstone, another recent addition, very scented.
Mighty Atom
last two were rescued from clumps growing at the base of a stump being dug out last year, not all of them survived the destruction but those that did are quite nice.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 08, 2010, 09:49:48 AM
...
last two were rescued from clumps growing at the base of a stump being dug out last year, not all of them survived the destruction but those that did are quite nice.

Interesting diffuse markings on dfind2.  Can you take it somewhere warmer to make the outers open wider to allow a better look?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 08, 2010, 10:38:52 AM
in the warm now, will post another photo later.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 08, 2010, 11:27:28 AM
They certainly look interesting, Richard.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Oakwood on February 08, 2010, 12:11:02 PM
Anyone got a pic of Galanthus schahoricus?

Anthony! I've got an image of G. schaoricus from Flora of Georgia copied by A. Kolakovsky in his monograph on Colkhida Flora by 1961. And Flora of Georgia  - Genus Galanthus chapter was written by L. Kemularia-Nathadze - she described this taxon in 1947. ENJOY!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Oakwood on February 08, 2010, 12:15:19 PM
Actually, G. schaoricus = G. alpinus alpinus by Artjushenko and Davis, but Georgian botanists still treat them as a separate endemic taxon for Georgia  ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 08, 2010, 12:50:17 PM
Fascinating stuff. I can trace my bulb back to a collection made by JR.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Oakwood on February 08, 2010, 01:00:38 PM
G. schaoricus differs a bit from alpinus by wider and cuculate leaves........ Anthony, please find here also a photo of a bad quality, sorry, from front-cover of recent Georgian vascular plant list book.
I have this really unique taxon from Janis too and indeed it's a gem variety of alpinus with wide leaves :))
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Nicholson on February 08, 2010, 01:53:18 PM
A somewhat humbler offering from my "embryo" snowdrop bed. Galanthus 'Hippolyta'

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 08, 2010, 02:21:06 PM
Thanks for all the info Dimitri. I have labels in my garden where I hope I have a. alpinus and a. bortkewichianus, but so far not a sign of a shoot.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 08, 2010, 02:24:51 PM
photo as requested, seemed a little reluctant so used a little gentle persuasion...

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 08, 2010, 02:40:00 PM
Quote
A somewhat humbler offering

...and very nice it is too, we like em all, humble or otherwise David :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 08, 2010, 02:40:35 PM
Whoops I take that back, someone might think I like the spikeys ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 08, 2010, 02:54:00 PM
Whoops I take that back, someone might think I like the spikeys ;)
By heck, that was close, Brian! You just managed to recant that comment in time! ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Nicholson on February 08, 2010, 02:56:57 PM
Whoops I take that back, someone might think I like the spikeys ;)

spikeys????? Sorry didn't follow that one Brian, shows how much an amateur Galanthophile I am ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 08, 2010, 03:15:50 PM
Whoops I take that back, someone might think I like the spikeys ;)

spikeys?????

Hint David. Not his hair or mine.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 08, 2010, 04:51:22 PM
David have a look at Mark's site for things like 'Boyd's Double'  :P
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 08, 2010, 05:36:39 PM
...someone might think I like the spikeys ;)

I've always had my suspicions...   ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 08, 2010, 05:38:47 PM
Whoops I take that back, someone might think I like the spikeys ;)

spikeys????? Sorry didn't follow that one Brian, shows how much an amateur Galanthophile I am ;D

Hi David

Here is a link to some wonderful pictures of Spikeys that Jo posted last year.   :P

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3035.msg77601#msg77601
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 08, 2010, 06:54:27 PM
Here is a pot of seedlings from my favourite form of G. gracilis. I'm pleased to see that 3 of the 4 bulbs have 2 flowers each.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 08, 2010, 06:59:00 PM
Very nice plants, indeed, Anne.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ichristie on February 08, 2010, 07:19:30 PM
 Hi all a rather odd little double snowdrop we found last year just about to flower again. A small neat double with long pedicel and it sits upright looking at you, I have named it 'Hedgehog'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 08, 2010, 07:28:04 PM
Ian,

It certainly is interesting that the flowers are held in such an upright manner, like some of the spikey ones.

In the first photograph the bloom on the top left seems to be the odd one out as the other three are so perfectly regular and that one quite the opposite. Do you intend to rogue out these abberant ones and select only the regular?

Paddy 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ichristie on February 08, 2010, 07:31:46 PM
Hi Paddy, only the two flowers in the middle of the picture are the new finds, I put the others beside them to show size and flower shape differences,  cheers Ian the Christie kic.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Nicholson on February 08, 2010, 07:42:37 PM
Whoops I take that back, someone might think I like the spikeys ;)

spikeys????? Sorry didn't follow that one Brian, shows how much an amateur Galanthophile I am ;D

Hi David

Here is a link to some wonderful pictures of Spikeys that Jo posted last year.   :P

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3035.msg77601#msg77601

Thanks John,  I got it now.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 08, 2010, 07:45:52 PM
Hi Paddy, only the two flowers in the middle of the picture are the new finds, I put the others beside them to show size and flower shape differences,  cheers Ian the Christie kic.

Pretty little things.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 08, 2010, 07:54:49 PM
A few more from the garden. Paddy

A group of G. 'John Gray'
G. 'John Gray'
G. 'Ketton' group
G. 'Ketton'
G. 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'
G. 'Lady Moore'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 08, 2010, 08:00:29 PM
A few more. Paddy

G. 'Lutescens'
G. 'Mighty Atom'
G. 'Mrs. McNamara'
G. 'Natalie Garton'
G. 'Natalie Garton'
A planting of G nivalis under Magnolia soulangeana, building up slowly
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 08, 2010, 08:26:10 PM
Thanks Paddy, you can see the similarity of shape in the outers to Finchale Abbey quite well.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 08, 2010, 09:16:59 PM
..... A small neat double with long pedicel and it sits upright looking at you, I have named it 'Hedgehog'

I have noticed quite a few doubles that start out facing upwards but eventually assume the normal downwards orientation as they mature.  Does 'Hedgehog' really manage to remain upwards throughout, even when full of rainwater?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 08, 2010, 09:30:30 PM
Natalie Garten - I haven't seen mine this year.

Sibbertoft White
reginae-olgae vernalis Miss Adventure finally free of it's scape
woronowii E. K. Balls
elwesii ?? ex Colesbourne. Label eaten by slugs
elwesii with no notch ex Linnett Farm
a better photo of plicatus Maidwell C
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 08, 2010, 09:45:21 PM

...Wendy's Gold with twin scapes coming up...

I can't see those, Mark.  Are they the ones at the back perhaps?  Or could you doctor the photograph to mark the twin scapes.

Edit:  Oh, possibly the one left of centre and nearest the front, but if so, the second scape is behind the first and hard to see.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 08, 2010, 09:58:48 PM
You are correct they are too difficult to spot. I'll take another photo in a couple of days. I saw the twin scapes but didnt look closely at the photo when I edited it
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 09, 2010, 12:44:15 AM
Here is a pot of seedlings from my favourite form of G. gracilis. I'm pleased to see that 3 of the 4 bulbs have 2 flowers each.

Anne  - An arresting gracilis.  I've just called for a defibrilator. Thanks for posting one them.  ;)

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 09, 2010, 12:57:21 AM
Mark - That E. K. Balls is the best woronowii I've seen, smashing.  I hope to get Sibbertoft White this year, it certainly is a beauty.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 09, 2010, 01:00:01 AM
Paddy  - Natalie Garton lives up to its reputation, it looks like quite a substantial drop.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 09, 2010, 06:02:41 AM
Anne, I also like G. gracilis. You showed us big plants with superb flowers and two scapes. Often the "english" gracilis are only gracilized small plants. Good G gracilis are as fine as good G. elwesii. Sometimes better, because they can get 2-4 flowerscapes.

Paddy, last year I saw first time pics of NATHALIE GARTON. Were does it come from? Is it a Galanthus elwesii. Can you tell us something?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 09, 2010, 07:36:59 AM
Paddy - 'Lady Moore' is a fine looking 'drop.  My new bulb from last year is only leaves this year - but hopefully that means a superb flower to look forward to in 2011.   ;)

Mark - is that Woronowii E. K. Balls a lot bigger than 'normal' garden centre Woronowii.  It looks a goon'un.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 09, 2010, 10:24:29 AM
Nice well behaved clump of 'John  Gray' Paddy (note spelling of Gray).
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 09, 2010, 10:58:12 AM
woronowii EK Balls is usually short about 7cm 3 inches. This year it is taller than it has ever been possible because a Helianthemum is blocking light. The leaves are very pale green.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 09, 2010, 11:22:47 AM
I brought in these G fosteris to photograph them and discovered they have a wonderful scent. I like the distinctive paddle shape of the outers and the upturned tips of the inners.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 09, 2010, 11:39:05 AM
How tall are your fosteri? Mine are 15 cm
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gail on February 09, 2010, 11:56:35 AM
Rannveig Wallis had a display pot of her Galanthus koenenianus x fosteri cross at Loughborough.  The flowers were very similarly marked to the fosteri in Anne's last picture and had also inherited the lovely fragrance.  She had some seedling plants of this cross for sale but they looked quite variable, some just with a single mark.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Ragged Robin on February 09, 2010, 11:59:53 AM
Anne, your pot of G fosteris is really unusual looking, thanks for 'bringing it in' showing how it opens out.... and with the bonus of scent it is even more attractive (is it commercially available?)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 09, 2010, 12:09:43 PM
John and Hagen,

G. 'Natalie Garton' certainly seems to have caught your attention. It is, indeed, a lovely snowdrop but I cannot claim to have had the good taste to seek it out as it was sent to me as a very kind gift and is in my care for the time being. It is a double elwesii, a short plant - presently at about 10cm - but has a very nice full shape to the flowers. I must get some more photographs for you if the sun obliges during the day.

John, I'm glad to hear you have a bulb of 'Lady Moore' growing for you and would love to hear how it gets on with you. It is one for which I have a particular fondness as a large clump was given to me by a lady who had received them from Lady Moore herself and had kept them going for over 60 years and was always reluctant to give them to anybody.

Anthony, I have done my spelling corrections. Apologies for the slip-up. 'John Gray' is, indeed, a lovely snowdrop, low-growing and plump flower so that there seems to be a large proportion of white to green in the clump.

Anne, G. fosteri is a lovely plant.

Mark, your 'E.K. Ball' is very nice. Is this the E.K. Ball of the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin?

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 09, 2010, 12:29:40 PM
I brought in these G fosteris to photograph them and discovered they have a wonderful scent. I like the distinctive paddle shape of the outers and the upturned tips of the inners.

Another beauty Anne. I grew this species from AGCBC seed (AGCBC96-1106  1/26/97) and planted them out like an idiot.  It is the only species that managed to die outdoors. I don't think it ever flowered.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 09, 2010, 01:10:13 PM
Hagen I got 'Natalie Garton' from Avon bulbs, all they had for background was

"Handsome large flowered hybrid named after a late friend."

I wait to see ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 09, 2010, 02:32:42 PM
Natalie is lovely especially with the anthers shining through the base of the inners
This is the inside
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 09, 2010, 02:43:32 PM
That's a nice neat arrangement, like Faringdon Double. My fosteri is about 8cm high from one source and 10cm from the other.
I bought one of Rannveig's hybrids - here it is:

Galanthus koenenianus x fosteri
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 09, 2010, 02:54:27 PM
Paddy, Brian thanks for information. I hope to meet Alan Street in Oirlich. (German Snowdrop days)

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 09, 2010, 03:18:19 PM
Anne it looks OK. What are the leaves like?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 09, 2010, 04:20:40 PM
Here is a little Galanthus with four petals that I found in a Garden Centre in New Ross Co.Wexford last week.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 09, 2010, 05:34:10 PM
Good luck with that Michael - it is always nice when you find something different in the garden centres.   8)

Unfortunately the few 4 petal ones I have found in past years turned into 3 petals the following year - except for one from 2008 that has now been a 3.5 petaled ugly thing for 2009 and again in 2010.  ::)

I look forward to seeing what your find does in 2011.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 09, 2010, 05:38:45 PM
A few more from today.

Armine to the fore. Sophie North behind.
George Elwes is getting even bigger, what a brute.
Lady Moore, pollinated it today with George  ...shhh.
Modern Art.

+4c and overcast here, the biggest Hamamelis Jelena in the city if half out. Another month and it just might feel like spring.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 09, 2010, 05:47:31 PM
Quote
Unfortunately the few 4 petal ones I have found in past years turned into 3 petals the following year - except for one from 2008 that has now been a 3.5 petaled ugly thing for 2009 and again in 2010.  Roll Eyes

Are you telling me I can't put it on eBAY and book a world cruise with the proceeds.? ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 09, 2010, 05:59:29 PM
Michael,

The trick is to put in on e-bay now, straight away, and sell it "as is". There will surely be a fool who will part with the money.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 09, 2010, 06:00:54 PM
A few more from today.

Armine to the fore. Sophie North behind.
George Elwes is getting even bigger, what a brute.
Lady Moore, pollinated it today with George  ...shhh.
Modern Art.

+4c and overcast here, the biggest Hamamelis Jelena in the city if half out. Another month and it just might feel like spring.

johnw

John,

I am rather taken aback at the manner in which you are treating 'Lady Moore'.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 09, 2010, 06:01:03 PM
John.  Interesting to see your pictures of 'Lady Moore' as there appears to be none of the upturned petal tips as in Paddy's pictures that was likened to 'Finchale Abbey'.  I shall continue to think that 'Finchale Abbey' may have a unique shape to it.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 09, 2010, 06:01:58 PM
Michael,

The trick is to put in on e-bay now, straight away, and sell it "as is". There will surely be a fool who will part with the money.

Paddy

I like that idea.   ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 09, 2010, 06:11:39 PM
Michael,

The trick is to put in on e-bay now, straight away, and sell it "as is". There will surely be a fool who will part with the money.

Paddy

More than one I reckon !.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 09, 2010, 06:12:57 PM
John.  Interesting to see your pictures of 'Lady Moore' as there appears to be none of the upturned petal tips as in Paddy's pictures that was likened to 'Finchale Abbey'.  I shall continue to think that 'Finchale Abbey' may have a unique shape to it.

John, I looked at lots of 'Lady Moore' today and I believe this feature appears only as the flower is going over. In other words, it may not be part of the flower shape at all but a shape the petals assume as they wilt. I had noticed this shape in the petals last year as well but it is not present in flowers which are less mature or simply mature.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 09, 2010, 06:23:05 PM
A few more from today.

Armine to the fore. Sophie North behind.
George Elwes is getting even bigger, what a brute.
Lady Moore, pollinated it today with George  ...shhh.
Modern Art.

+4c and overcast here, the biggest Hamamelis Jelena in the city if half out. Another month and it just might feel like spring.

johnw

John,

I am rather taken aback at the manner in which you are treating 'Lady Moore'.

Paddy

Paddy - I apologize.  I will unschakle her once George has completed the job.   ;D

John - Alot of strange things happen here, probably due to the very cool temperatures. Today is mild at +4c.  I find the Trymm types are reluctant to flare out and have always blamed the temperatures.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 09, 2010, 06:56:13 PM
I have been assured that Lady Moore is more than capable of taking care of herself and that, indeed, it might be George who needs minding.

In the meantime, some further photographs of G. 'Natalie Garton' as a follow-up to earlier posts. Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 09, 2010, 07:10:18 PM
Here is my humble few. I hope they are correct.

Galanthus Atkinsii.
Galanthus Brenda Troyle
Galanthus Lady Beatrix Stanley
Galanthus Magnet.
Galanthus Spohie North.
Galanthus Straffan
Galanthus Nivalis.
Galanthus Viridapice
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 09, 2010, 07:11:47 PM
Three Garden Centre plants.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 09, 2010, 07:16:04 PM
Michael Pusey Green Tip should be a double
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 09, 2010, 07:27:39 PM
Michael Pusey Green Tip should be a double

 ....and with green tips??  :-\
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 09, 2010, 07:35:13 PM
 Thanks Mark,now that I remember it was double last year and I did not re-pot,somebody is playing tricks on me. I think I will stick with with the Crocus, at least they are different colours. I have removed the impostor. :) :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Tony Willis on February 09, 2010, 08:57:40 PM
another of my Galanthus elwesii / gracilis . This always produces two scapes from each bulb with one large and one small flower on them.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 09, 2010, 09:54:36 PM
another of my Galanthus elwesii / gracilis . This always produces two scapes from each bulb with one large and one small flower on them.

Galanthus "Little and Large"?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Thomas Seiler on February 09, 2010, 10:05:39 PM
Lovely Thomas, could you possibly take a picture of the inside of 'North Star' as I have lost a label and want to confirm which it is.
Brian, here are two pictures of 'North Star'. Sorry, they are not good. Though the snow melted away, it is cold and temperature below freezing point here. And something has taken some bits of my only flower ...
Note the applanate vernation.


Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 09, 2010, 10:21:22 PM
I hope Mark is going to recover for the Gala - he is one of the speakers  ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 09, 2010, 10:29:48 PM
Yes, he is looking a bit off-colour...
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 09, 2010, 10:30:28 PM
Thank you Thomas, it means I can check mine when it is fully open.  I hope it will last as a pheasant (?) has kindly taken the flowers of Edinburgh Ketton!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 09, 2010, 11:49:47 PM

I bought one of Rannveig's hybrids - here it is:

Galanthus koenenianus x fosteri

I also "invested" in one last week on the basis of the display plant which was very elegant - small but beautifully marked as they say  ::)

another of my Galanthus elwesii / gracilis . This always produces two scapes from each bulb with one large and one small flower on them.

You have done it again Tony lovely elegant plant and flowers  8) I  appreciate the species more and more
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Warren Desmond on February 10, 2010, 12:20:56 AM
Enjoying the images  :) ..quick one of John Gray today...
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 10, 2010, 11:03:36 AM
Yes, he is looking a bit off-colour...

 I think it is the reflection from all his beautiful yellow crocus...... ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 10, 2010, 11:07:03 AM
Enjoying the images  :) ..quick one of John Gray today...

Nice one Warren, good snowdrop, well photographed.

Keep them coming. Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 10, 2010, 02:51:53 PM
Here is a lovely lady coming into bloom. The lady is called Yvonne
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 10, 2010, 02:59:35 PM
And she is a big girl  ;D

I see that North Green have it for sale at Ł35   :o :o :o, whereas Peter Moore sold it for Ł6 last year  ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 10, 2010, 03:03:57 PM
Quote
And she is a big girl


 I prefer to think of the lovely Yvonne as "robust", Arthur  ::)
in the Doric:  "a sonsy deem"  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 10, 2010, 03:16:56 PM
And she is a big girl  ;D

 ;)


Don't get too excited Arthur :o. As the song goes "Little girls get bigger everyday"

Well thank heavens for that  ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 10, 2010, 03:37:16 PM
Thanks for the picture Ian.  I have not seen Yvonne in the flesh before and I like what I see.   8)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 10, 2010, 03:50:07 PM
Perhaps Ian can just clarify - I think that he is showing G. plicatus 'Yvonne' PC, whereas I think that Arthur may be referring to G. elwesii 'Yvonne Hay'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 10, 2010, 04:00:15 PM
Perhaps Ian can just clarify - I think that he is showing G. plicatus 'Yvonne' PC, whereas I think that Arthur may be referring to G. elwesii 'Yvonne Hay'
Oh, so the two prices may be for different 'drops?

 edit by maggi: so price differences are for one drop 'Yvonne Hay', but Ian showed us  another 'Yvonne' ?!
I'm confused again!  :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 10, 2010, 04:23:52 PM
Perhaps Ian can just clarify - I think that he is showing G. plicatus 'Yvonne' PC, whereas I think that Arthur may be referring to G. elwesii 'Yvonne Hay'

Chris

I was referring to Yvonne Hay.  The difference in price is correct for this plant  :o :o :o
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 10, 2010, 04:32:42 PM
Ian,

Certainly a beautiful plant, very full-bodied, great presence in the garden. Good one!


Arthur, who is the "Peter Moore" who has such competitive prices?
P.S. It dawned on me - Tile Barn Nurseries.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Jo on February 10, 2010, 04:38:47 PM
President of the Cyclamen Society and proprietor of Tilebarn Nursery in Kent.  Its a wonderful nursery and he's a really nice guy.  He has a great range of small bulbs as well as every cyclamen you could desire.

A bit far for a quick visit though Paddy  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 10, 2010, 04:43:18 PM
President of the Cyclamen Society and proprietor of Tilebarn Nursery in Kent.  Its a wonderful nursery and he's a really nice guy.  He has a great range of small bulbs as well as every cyclamen you could desire.

A bit far for a quick visit though Paddy  :)

Might drop over after dinner.

I don't see any snowdrops listed on the website.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Jo on February 10, 2010, 04:43:49 PM
A couple of snowdrops enjoying the sunshine in the greenhouse today.

Trymlet and a green tipped elwesii that came from Ivycroft.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Jo on February 10, 2010, 04:47:56 PM
President of the Cyclamen Society and proprietor of Tilebarn Nursery in Kent.  Its a wonderful nursery and he's a really nice guy.  He has a great range of small bulbs as well as every cyclamen you could desire.

A bit far for a quick visit though Paddy  :)

Might drop over after dinner.

I don't see any snowdrops listed on the website.

Paddy

 :D :D  He doesn't list his small bulbs, they are just available to nursery visitors.  There are usually a few nice snowdrops and some lovely little Narcissus, and yellow Ipheons,  and now you're making me fancy a trip there too.   ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 10, 2010, 05:34:07 PM
If you can't make it there after dinner Paddy or Jo - here is a little trip I prepared earlier.   ;)

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=860.0
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 10, 2010, 05:53:46 PM
Perhaps Ian can just clarify - I think that he is showing G. plicatus 'Yvonne' PC, whereas I think that Arthur may be referring to G. elwesii 'Yvonne Hay'

Quite correct Chris
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 10, 2010, 08:31:46 PM
mix of sunshine & heavy snow showers today, still not much happening in the garden, few more from the greenhouse & one of the end of the moat.

Imbolc
gracilis, grown from seed & given to me last year, tiny.
Comet
Bill Baker's Early again.
Moat
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 10, 2010, 09:26:23 PM
John, Many thanks for the virtual visit to Tilebarn Nurseries. Perhaps, some day I will visit.

Richard, another nice selection. G. gracilis is a dainty and beautiful snowdrop.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: TC on February 11, 2010, 06:15:54 PM
We had a trip to Fullarton woods this afternoon to check the snowdrops.  They were up but the temperature was a little too cold for them to open fully.  Maybe by next week they will be at their best.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 11, 2010, 06:17:13 PM
Photographs from last weekend, just didn't get round to posting until now. Paddy

Kildare - proving to be a good snowdrop in the garden
Nothing Special - and odd name!
Ophelia - one of my favourites, gives a great performance in the garden
Primrose Warburg
S. Arnott - one of the great old reliables
Sally Pasmore

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: chasw on February 11, 2010, 06:21:08 PM
Hey Paddy,my Primrose Warburg have only just got their noses out of the ground,we seem to be miles behind here in certain parts of the U.K,
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 11, 2010, 06:37:56 PM
Hey Paddy,my Primrose Warburg have only just got their noses out of the ground,we seem to be miles behind here in certain parts of the U.K,

Chas, You must remember that we had only one day's snow here in my corner of Ireland while many parts of the U.K. have had regular and heavy snow. Over the last few days we have had frosty nights but lovely bright sunny days which have encouraged the snowdrops to open.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 11, 2010, 06:40:39 PM
We had a trip to Fullarton woods this afternoon to check the snowdrops.  They were up but the temperature was a little too cold for them to open fully.  Maybe by next week they will be at their best.

Tom, I recall your posting from Fullarton Woods last year. Again, this year, it is a wonderful display of snowdrops. It is great to see them in big numbers; gives a beautiful effect.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 11, 2010, 06:49:06 PM
A few more. Paddy (Blame the digital cameras which allow us to take big numbers of photographs)

Sandersii
Sickle
Straffan - one of oldest snowdrop cultivars and still a reliable garden snowdrop - and Irish, of course.
Trymlet
Silverwells - I don't see it as frightfully different from G. Atkinsii but it is a good plant.
Walrus - oddball!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 11, 2010, 06:52:38 PM
Last few for this evening. Paddy

Warham - spread these out two years ago and they are going well
Washfield Colesbourne
Woodtown - an Irish cultivar, very promising
x Alenii
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2010, 07:06:00 PM
Paddy, what's the history of Woodtown? Do you have really good photo suitable for my lecture on Saturday?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 11, 2010, 07:15:54 PM
Mark,

By "really good photo", I presume you mean one showing the inner markings well. Unfortunately, these are planted in an area which is quite shaded and  have not been opening fully so far. I will keep an eye on them and take a shot if possible.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 11, 2010, 11:31:45 PM
That's quite a stand of Warham Paddy. And who is in the background in the large swathe?

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 12, 2010, 09:05:43 AM
That's quite a stand of Warham Paddy. And who is in the background in the large swathe?

johnw

Hi John,

The patch of Warham is about 2m x 1m, I would guess, though the bulbs are a bit spread out. They are clumping up again and it should make a good display in a few years.

Growing behind Warham is a stand of Magnet, a good thick clump.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 12, 2010, 09:17:30 AM
Lovely to see them like that Paddy, if only I had the room :-\ ??? :-\
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 12, 2010, 09:45:04 AM
Paddy you will soon be doing a sales list or selling on Ebay.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 12, 2010, 01:25:54 PM
Paddy you will soon be doing a sales list or selling on Ebay.

Ah, no, Mark, not my scene at all. I'm sure that if I feel the numbers are getting out of bounds I will be able to find welcoming gardens and gardeners where the snowdrops would be welcomed without any price tag.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 12, 2010, 02:48:50 PM
Good on you Paddy  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 12, 2010, 05:46:35 PM
From SRGC seed just regular old Galanthus plicatus, all the seedlings are remarkably or unremarkable uniform except a few with a bit more green on the inner.  Nothing at all special except they're a tad later than the others.

johnw - +5c and overcast.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 12, 2010, 05:59:18 PM
I like that one John.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 12, 2010, 08:31:50 PM
A fine plant, John.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 12, 2010, 08:37:07 PM
A few taken yesterday. Paddy

Fishing Rod - a nice pendulous habit.
Little Ben - low growing with big heavy flowers
Yvonne - following up on Ian McE's posting the other evening, a lovely snowdrop
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 12, 2010, 08:59:48 PM
Fishing Rod looks very different. I havent heard of it.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 12, 2010, 09:00:32 PM
Good on you Paddy  :)

Arthur,

The vast majority of my snowdrops came as gifts from kind gardening friends and this connection with other gardeners that the gifting/swapping/trading of plants gives is the most enjoyable aspect of gardening there is. To go and sell their gifts would be something I could not bring myself to do. They are mine to pass on to others who will also enjoy them.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 12, 2010, 09:03:08 PM
Fishing Rod looks very different. I havent heard of it.

Mark,

It was one of those kind gifts I mentioned above and it is a lovely little thing.  I must get some background on it.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Tony Willis on February 12, 2010, 09:14:09 PM
Good on you Paddy  :)

Arthur,

The vast majority of my snowdrops came as gifts from kind gardening friends and this connection with other gardeners that the gifting/swapping/trading of plants gives is the most enjoyable aspect of gardening there is. To go and sell their gifts would be something I could not bring myself to do. They are mine to pass on to others who will also enjoy them.

Paddy

Paddy all mine have come as gifts apart from a few species where I have collected the seed myself.

Some in flower today

Galanthus rizehensis  my own
Galanthus plicatus ssp plicatus two pots of my own
Galanthus Ray Cobb (Ray is my oldest friend in the true sense of the word as well as the number of years I have known him)
Galanthus Wendys Gold
Galanthus Helen Tomlinson a friend for many years
Galanthus Yvonne Hay this pot was a gift last autumn
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 12, 2010, 09:14:25 PM
Not sure if any of you managed to listen to Gardeners' Question Time today but there was an article on snowdrops and in particular a gathering at Colesbourne. It is available on the BBC iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qldxq/Gardeners_Question_Time_12_02_2010/ and is repeated on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 12, 2010, 09:19:50 PM
I heard that piece and was very upset that I had not been invited!!!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 12, 2010, 09:55:18 PM
Tony,

Nice selection and very nice connections which makes them all the more appreciated and enjoyable.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 12, 2010, 10:59:18 PM
So that's what 'Yvonne Hay' looks like. 8) Mine is a week or two off flowering. I have rizehensis about to flower from seed, so that pleases me, especially as the original stock, collected some time after 1853 ;), came from Mount Rize.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Tony Willis on February 12, 2010, 11:21:46 PM
Anthony clearly I never learn because I see I also spelt it wrong in April 2008. C'est la vie!

Mine came from near Ordu quite a bit west of Rize and is a slightly more recent collection
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 12, 2010, 11:59:36 PM
A fine plant, John.

Paddy

Paddy & Anthony - I planted the lot in a trough the past autumn so I'm hoping they will fatten up and the flower size increase next year. About 2/3 have normal markings and the other thrid has varying degrees of extra green on the upper inner segments.  I wish I had grown more G.'s from seed in the past especially cw ones.

I got a big package of nivalis seed from Jelitto last June and planted them immediately after soaking for a day. Only 4 came up within a few weeks  - rather surprised about that - but now the entire 6" pot has erupted. It appears nearly all have sprouted.  I guess I can safely attest to the quality of their seed, I was a bit doubtful but they must have been stored perfectly.

johnw -  lovely day here though breezy and overcast but H. 'Jelena' down the way is out full tilt.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 13, 2010, 08:28:16 AM
So that's what 'Yvonne Hay' looks like. 8) Mine is a week or two off flowering. I have rizehensis about to flower from seed, so that pleases me, especially as the original stock, collected some time after 1853 ;), came from Mount Rize.

Anthony, this is G. 'Yvonne' and not G. 'Yvonne Hay'.

Have a look back at page 15 of this thread where Ian McEnery posted a photograph of the same snowdrop and where some discussion and clarification followed. G. 'Yvonne' is one of the Castle Series of snowdrops found by Ian Christie at Brechin Castle (the home of Lord & Lady Dalhousie). G. plicatus ‘Yvonne’ was awarded a Preliminary Certificate on 21 February 2009 when it was exhibited at the Dunblane Show by Ian.

You should have seen it there as you were in attendance!

Post Scriptum: Anthony, John (below) has alerted me to the fact that you were most likely referring to Tony's posting of G. 'Yvonne Hay' and not to the earlier posted G. 'Yvonne'.  'Yvonne Hay' is indeed a beauty.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 13, 2010, 08:49:06 AM
So that's what 'Yvonne Hay' looks like. 8) Mine is a week or two off flowering. I have rizehensis about to flower from seed, so that pleases me, especially as the original stock, collected some time after 1853 ;), came from Mount Rize.

Anthony, this is G. 'Yvonne' and not G. 'Yvonne Hay'.

Hi Paddy

I think Anthony is referring to the lovely pot full of 'Yvonne Hay' that Tony Willis posted on the previous page.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 13, 2010, 08:52:37 AM
So that's what 'Yvonne Hay' looks like. 8) Mine is a week or two off flowering. I have rizehensis about to flower from seed, so that pleases me, especially as the original stock, collected some time after 1853 ;), came from Mount Rize.

Anthony, this is G. 'Yvonne' and not G. 'Yvonne Hay'.

Hi Paddy

I think Anthony is referring to the lovely pot full of 'Yvonne Hay' that Tony Willis posted on the previous page.

John,

I've looked back and opened my eyes a little more - you see, we are not all night owl's like you and it takes me a little while to get going in the morning - say, until lunchtime.  I'll post a correction above.

Many thanks, Oh Observant One.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Günter Waldorf on February 13, 2010, 01:28:35 PM
ein sehr selten wenig bekanntes elwesii "Wolfgang`s Gold" Ich hoffe das es sich gut vermehrt.

Günter
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 13, 2010, 03:35:04 PM
Sehr netter Günter.  Ich mag den langen Eierstock.

Very nice Günter.  I like the long ovary.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ArneM on February 13, 2010, 03:36:15 PM
Translation for all non-Germans (ich hoffe, ich durfte übersetzen, Günter? ;)):

' "Wolfgangs Gold" is a rare and little-known elwesii. I hope it will bulk up freely.'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 13, 2010, 04:29:29 PM
Talking of gold. Slow to bulk up but worth the wait. G sandersii
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 13, 2010, 04:39:57 PM
They certainly sparkle Ian. I have two clumps, but one is under an acer! ::)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 13, 2010, 05:27:57 PM
I'd better squeeze these in before the flood of Gala pictures come in.

Galanthus Augustus  - such vigour with virus is harden to fathom.

balance - several plicatus with extra green ex SRGC seed, the first has the most green but the outers have split.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 13, 2010, 06:18:38 PM
I am a novice as far as Galanthus are concerned. I have around 25 different ones mostly just good doers and a few rareties. I picked this Elwesii up at a garden centre yesterday it has very large flowers at least 2 times or more bigger than average Elwesii and seems to be larger in all parts, leaves and stems etc. Do you think it will remain so next year or revert to normal size. Excuse my ignorance but your opinion would be welcome. Thanks all.



Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 13, 2010, 06:23:39 PM
John, A selection of nice snowdrops, sure to make a nice planting in the garden.


Pat, I'm afraid it's a case of "wait and see" but it certainly looks a fine big snowdrop with extra large foliage also and should make a good plant for the garden.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Günter Waldorf on February 13, 2010, 06:47:47 PM
Translation for all non-Germans (ich hoffe, ich durfte übersetzen, Günter? ;)):

' "Wolfgangs Gold" is a rare and little-known elwesii. I hope it will bulk up freely.'

Danke !!! :D

Günter
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 13, 2010, 09:29:08 PM
Gunter,

'Wolfgang's Gold' is a very pretty flower.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 14, 2010, 04:13:45 PM
Just back from a garden visit, nice to see Jo (if only briefly, sorry Jo), John Finch, Art and David Quinton there, but most of all the snowdrops, when I got home I looked around and here follows the explanation of why I have not been posting ::)

There is just too much of all this
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 14, 2010, 04:15:27 PM
...although there is a bit more of this now:
Galanthus 'Blewbury Tart' a kind present from a forumist beginning to flower, and G.'Erway' - I just wish it would open!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 14, 2010, 08:13:38 PM
Brian,

The weather must be getting milder for you and the snowdrops are peeping out at last so looking forward to lots of shots. I'll have my notebook at the ready!


A snowdrop story: Mary bought G. viridipice in 2000, three bulbs. By 2005 these had clumped up and we decided to move them to a different part of the garden. I noted that we replanted 40 bulbs. In 2006 there was nothing, no flowers, no leaves; they seemed to have simply vanished. No doubt, there was a grub, or a family of grubs responsible for this destruction. In 2007 a single miserable leaf appeared and this year we have one flowering bulb and one non-flowering. Some little sliver of the original bulbs obviously escaped and grew back to flowering size.

Bulbs do disappear for a variety of reasons but I now always leave the label in place to mark the spot for future reference and somewhat in hope.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: chasw on February 14, 2010, 08:20:38 PM
Hey Paddy,I had the same happen here,I bought Dahne's Scissors in 2003,nothing the next year at all,left the old label in,and nothing last year either that I saw,however this year I have leaves and a single flower
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 14, 2010, 08:30:16 PM
Brian, your photo's pretty much reflect what I have here, think it will be at least another week/10 days before the bulk of my varieties are open, have been doing tours which end with the groups looking at pots kept in a very warm greenhouse for a few hours so they have something to look at.

at this rate we'll be closed when they're at their best.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 14, 2010, 08:51:14 PM

A snowdrop story: Mary bought G. viridipice in 2000, three bulbs. By 2005 these had clumped up and we decided to move them to a different part of the garden. I noted that we replanted 40 bulbs. In 2006 there was nothing, no flowers, no leaves; they seemed to have simply vanished. No doubt, there was a grub, or a family of grubs responsible for this destruction. In 2007 a single miserable leaf appeared and this year we have one flowering bulb and one non-flowering. Some little sliver of the original bulbs obviously escaped and grew back to flowering size.
Paddy

Paddy  - I bought 12 Viridipice 2 years ago, 10 came up in 2009, 2 came up in 2010.  I suspect the 2 that didn't come up in 2009 infected the other 8.

Worse I bought 200 last autumn, I had to toss 60% out before planting. 

Who to blame, Viridipice or the source?  it would never be me... ;)

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: zwerggarten on February 14, 2010, 09:13:35 PM
talking of viridapice: i thought this "variety" would belong to a various group of green-tipped snowdrops - with or without any mule/hare's ears... 8)

at least in my garden there are quite different types of viridapice clumping together - should i better separate them?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 14, 2010, 09:13:57 PM
John,

I have two other clumps of G. 'Viridipice' which seem to be doing well. From small numbers originally, three in each, they have increased to 16 and 11 flowers open at present respectively. So, there is some hope with these.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 14, 2010, 09:20:58 PM
talking of viridapice: i thought this "variety" would belong to a various group of green-tipped snowdrops - with or without any mule/hare's ears... 8)

at least in my garden there are quite different types of viridapice clumping together - should i better separate them?

Welcome to the forum.

I don't know what snowdrops you have growing together. Perhaps it is just that your snowdrops have self sown and the resultant seedlings are variations on the parents. Unless they are of particular interest I don't think it is important to separate them. However, it might be worthwhile keeping the original planting pure.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: zwerggarten on February 14, 2010, 09:46:23 PM
thank you, paddy. :)

i got my viridapice out of an old garden - three clumps it were - and they turned out quite differently in colour - and ear-size. ;)

this friday in berlin hagen engelmann did show us some great snowdrop-pictures, including a huge perfect group of perfectly eared galanthus (scharlockii it says) - this really was eye-opening! they are so much more impressing with similar attributes... :D ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 14, 2010, 09:52:26 PM
Welcome here Zwerggarten, schön, Dich in dieser Runde wiederzutreffen.
Viridapice bilden in Belgien gemeinsam mit "Wareii" und "Scharlockii" große Kolonien mit allen Zwischenstadien. Das könnten Sie doch bei Dir in Berlin auch versuchen???
Like Paddy said: it isn`t important to separate them.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: zwerggarten on February 14, 2010, 10:04:55 PM
 :D

of course all these viridapices, scharlockiis and wareiis could happily grow and clump and flower forever - but this picture of yours of absolute perfection: all stems with similar-sized ears in the freshest chartreuse green... it was enlightening! ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 14, 2010, 10:16:42 PM

Here is  this clump
Galanthus nivalis Scharlockii
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 14, 2010, 10:18:35 PM
Zwergarten,

You now have an expert to help you - Hagen - and his advise is worth following.

Looking forward to seeing some of Hagen's wonderful photographs here soon when the weather permits.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 14, 2010, 10:19:33 PM

Here is  this clump
Galanthus nivalis Scharlockii

A lovely clump, Hagen. They all too often seem to dwindle to smaller and smaller flowers on me. You must feed them well.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: zwerggarten on February 14, 2010, 10:20:19 PM

Here is  this clump ...
that's it!  :D :o :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 14, 2010, 10:45:35 PM
They look like soldiers waving swords in the air, great clump Hagen.  Welcome to the forum zwerggarten, you will enjoy our little family.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: zwerggarten on February 14, 2010, 11:00:19 PM
as a former guest, i already have, brian. ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 14, 2010, 11:14:16 PM
Viridapice is one of the most vigorous snowdrops I have in my garden. I have to divide the clumps every two years as they become too dense.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: zwerggarten on February 14, 2010, 11:21:29 PM
anthony, do they vary or do you grow a uniform clone?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 14, 2010, 11:32:22 PM
Hagen - As close to perfect that clump as is possible.  What big spathes you have!

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 15, 2010, 05:03:46 AM
Welcome zwerggarten.   :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 15, 2010, 06:06:09 AM
Friends, the big clump is Galanthus nivalis Sharlockii. You can`t see any seedling around. So the clump is "clear and clean". In the garden I have several clones of Scharlockii. But I must say, this best clump isn`t in my own garden. Yes, it`s a pity.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 15, 2010, 08:30:20 AM
If Sharlockii had been discovered today it would surely sell for Ł150 a bulb but because it has been around a long time, a lot of the snowdrop collectors in the UK don't even bother with it! 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 15, 2010, 10:18:17 AM
anthony, do they vary or do you grow a uniform clone?
Quite variable, although I suspect this is environmental or perhaps the age of individual offsets?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 15, 2010, 10:27:07 AM
ceterum censeo metasequoiam esse succidendam

Grüße Zwergarten!

Mit einem Namen wie ZwergGarten,Sie müssen  winzigen Pflanzen lieben aber
wollen Sie wirklich den letzten Metasequoia zerstört?  :o :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Eric Locke on February 15, 2010, 11:18:18 AM

Have had this Greatorex Double in the garden for several years without a label.
I wonder if anyone can identify it for me please.

Eric
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 15, 2010, 11:23:23 AM
Wow, Maggi - new avatar! I don't know what you are on, but I want some!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 15, 2010, 11:26:03 AM
Anne, I'm sniffing all sorts of pollen on a regular basis..... the photo is from about 1985, so sadly it's not working!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 15, 2010, 11:30:10 AM
Anne, I'm sniffing all sorts of pollen on a regular basis..... the photo is from about 1985, so sadly it's not working!

Yes but what film star?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: zwerggarten on February 15, 2010, 11:37:28 AM
hello maggi, sure i like small plants like snowdrops! :D and my allotment garden is quite small too... ;)

don't worry, it's only a single metasequoia, i would love to see burning in some fire-place. hagen knows, which one i'm talking about... 8) ;D

greetings from berlin - where all drops are still covered with tons of snow!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 15, 2010, 11:49:35 AM
Aww, Ian.......
[attach=1]
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 15, 2010, 11:52:21 AM
hello maggi, sure i like small plants like snowdrops! :D and my allotment garden is quite small too... ;)

don't worry, it's only a single metasequoia, i would love to see burning in some fire-place. hagen knows, which one i'm talking about... 8) ;D

greetings from berlin - where all drops are still covered with tons of snow!

Well, maybe one tree in a fire is fine when there is so much snow around, eh?!!  ;)

It seems a lifetime away that I lived in your fine city......I wonder if I will ever return there?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ArneM on February 15, 2010, 01:11:28 PM

It seems a lifetime away that I lived in your fine city......I wonder if I will ever return there?

I don't live there but I like it very much and zwerggarten has definitely some good arguments for a trip to Berlin. ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Toft Tops on February 15, 2010, 07:24:14 PM
I'll expect everyone to rush to a Gloucestershire garden centre for this new snowdrop!  Sorry about the quality - taken on a mobile.  I didn't have the heart to tell the girl on the till because she was nice to my dog and gave her a doggie biscuit.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 15, 2010, 07:41:43 PM
That's quite a difficult one to pronounce.   ;D

It would sort of work if it was a silent 'G'?   ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 15, 2010, 07:46:56 PM
Galanthus Glwesii? Sounds to have been named after a Lord of the Rings character ::)

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 15, 2010, 07:51:49 PM
That's quite a difficult one to pronounce.   ;D

It would sort of work if it was a silent 'G'?   ;)

Seems it might be a Welsh selection.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 15, 2010, 08:17:24 PM
Gloucestershire is near Wales, isn't it? Welsh would make it "Glooweeseeeye"! ???
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ashley on February 15, 2010, 10:11:50 PM
Ordinary but lovely in the sunshine:
G. nivalis
G. nivalis Flore Pleno
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 15, 2010, 10:35:14 PM
The second photographs is very nice, Ashley.

"Ordinary" you call them and they are so ordinary because they grow with ease for us. Good garden plants.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 16, 2010, 12:46:16 AM
Ashley - Can't but marvel at the beauty of "ordinary" nivalis, a beauty. And lovely shots.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gail on February 16, 2010, 09:18:56 AM
Lovely pictures Ashley, what is the tree with the lovely bark in the second shot?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ashley on February 16, 2010, 10:09:33 AM
Thanks all.  It's an Acer griseum Gail, a tree I love especially in winter for its bark.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 16, 2010, 10:50:02 AM
Griseum, my favourite tree  :) was given a small one many years ago in broken clay pot, little more than a stick, is now a fine specimen.

few more, cold & wet today but a little warmer, hoping things will be looking nice for weekend.

a very large plant from Bill Baker, most years gets to almost 12" high.
nivalis taken a few days ago.
house & folly with nivalis & flore pleno.
folly.


Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: WimB on February 16, 2010, 12:59:05 PM
Bought this one last week (love the curled back leaves) and now flowering indoors:

Galanthus 'Curly'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 16, 2010, 02:07:32 PM
Ah. My 'Curly' is still in tight bud.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 16, 2010, 05:15:18 PM
Ordinary but lovely in the sunshine:
G. nivalis
G. nivalis Flore Pleno
Sunshine, what is that?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 16, 2010, 08:16:46 PM
Can you show us the leaves, Wim?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gail on February 16, 2010, 10:42:52 PM
Rod and Jane Leeds (who will be familiar to many AGS members) had their garden open for snowdrops on Sunday - so many wonderfully grown varieties it makes your head spin.  I didn't take many pics as was there with my family but particularly eyecatching were G. elwesii 'Richard Ayres' and G. elwesii 'Selborne Green Tips'.  The third pic is not a snowdrop but I'm sure that even ardent galanthophiles will like it - Clematis urophylla.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 17, 2010, 04:31:26 AM
Thanks for the pictures Gail.  If only I had known you were there I would have introduced myself along with 4 other forum members that I know were there too.

I love G. Richard Ayres.  I think it is one of 'those drops' that stands out from the crowd and you can spot what it is from 20 paces.   8)

Here are a few snaps I took on Sunday.

1 - 'South Hayes'

2 - Ronald Mackenzie  (I didn't think I wanted this - but seeing it in the flesh... wow  :o  Unfortunately the photograph does not capture the wonderful egg yolk yellow.  And the flowers are so big compared to all the yellows I have).  Does anyone know if it is easy to grow - or is it of an iffy disposition?

3 - Not a great picture - but look at the leaves on this elwesii! 'Huttlestone'

4 - 'Priscilla Bacon'

5 - 'Rosie'

6 - Two cats

7 - An owl
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: WimB on February 17, 2010, 07:28:53 AM
Anne,

here's a picture of the leaves:
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 17, 2010, 09:39:11 AM
Well Gail I wish I had known you were there too.  I hope to meet you on Saturday instead?  We loved the Clematis urophylla too.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gail on February 17, 2010, 11:54:19 AM
Apparently I just missed the Kent contingent - we got there about 2.30ish.  I will be at Claire Austin's nursery in Shropshire on Saturday - a Peony Society propagation workshop.  Anyone going to Harlow for the AGS show on the 27th?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ashley on February 17, 2010, 01:34:49 PM
... Here are a few snaps I took on Sunday.  ... 5 - 'Rosie'

Fine pictures John and everyone.  Thank you for bringing us along with you. 

Is 'Rosie' worthwhile as a general garden plant and can anyone recommend a source? 
If possible I'd like to get hold of one for my daughter, also Rosie. 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 17, 2010, 01:41:47 PM
Alas Ashley I have never seen one in the flesh before so imagine it is rather exclusive at the moment.  

How old is your Rosie?  Perhaps she can have one for her 21st?  Or 40th?........  ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ashley on February 17, 2010, 02:45:41 PM
Alas Ashley I have never seen one in the flesh before so imagine it is rather exclusive at the moment. 

Perhaps she can have one for her 21st? 

Thanks John.  I'll aim for that then (several years off ;)).

Or 40th?........  ;D

Obviously I'm in more urgent need of whatever Maggi & Mark are on ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 17, 2010, 03:47:34 PM
lovely day today, shame it wont last so ran round with camera after lunch, things open in the garden for a change.

aconites & nivalis.
nivalis under Cotinus & the courtyard.
Diggory, just needed a little more sun.
garden find.
x valentinei
nivalis growing through cyclamen.
top of the moat.
enjoying the sunshine!

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 17, 2010, 04:02:20 PM
Is 'Rosie' worthwhile as a general garden plant and can anyone recommend a source? 
If possible I'd like to get hold of one for my daughter, also Rosie. 

Ashley - 'Rosie' is a very nice form - like many snowdrops, it looks particularly good when it clumps up, which 'Rosie' does very quickly because it is an extremely vigorous snowdrop (I acquired a single flowering bulb in 2008 and this year I have 15 flowers!).

As it happens, timing is everything and you are in luck as I am just about to dig up my 'Rosie', because I have noticed that one of the plants has 5 outer petals, instead of the normal 3 and I want to isolate this plant to see if it does the same thing next year!

So, if you pm me with your address, I will send you a bulb for your daughter.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 17, 2010, 04:04:45 PM
Some of you are so lucky at this time of year to be shooting off to snowdrop events

Rosie - where did I put mine - is/was available from Colesbourne last year or the year before

Best advise I got at the Gala this year - when you get a new/unusual snowdrop twinscale it and when they flower twinscale half again.

Richard your x val looks just like my find over here. That's it as my avatar
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 17, 2010, 04:39:15 PM
Anyone going to Harlow for the AGS show on the 27th?

I will be at Harlow on the 27th.  If you are early I will be on the AGS plant stall.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 17, 2010, 04:45:34 PM
Mark, hadn't noticed, it does look very similar  :)

one more, planted S Arnott through Ajuga years ago and it has just started to look nice.



Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 17, 2010, 05:59:10 PM
How tall is your x val? Mine once settled can be over 12 inches 30cm tall
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 17, 2010, 06:03:47 PM
nothing like that, 6 - 7" at most but not been in the ground long.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 17, 2010, 10:02:34 PM
The light was too poor to get good photos. These are some of the snowdrops sold from Bowles garden during last year's Gala
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Eric Locke on February 17, 2010, 11:30:37 PM

Wonder if anyone got chance to look at my Greatorex double query posted earlier. ?

Eric
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: zwerggarten on February 17, 2010, 11:44:47 PM

Wonder if anyone got chance to look at my Greatorex double query posted earlier. ?

Eric

hello eric

as a continental galanthophile (-maniac? :o ) i am not very experienced in greatorex doubles - but it seems quite ambitious to me to name your snowdrops just on the basis of some zoomed flower-pics. ::) ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 17, 2010, 11:49:03 PM
Eric most people will tell you most of the Greatorex doubles are mixed up
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 18, 2010, 10:30:38 AM
The light was too poor to get good photos. These are some of the snowdrops sold from Bowles garden during last year's Gala


What elegant drops - were they expensive?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 18, 2010, 10:36:21 AM
It's sunny today - so far - so I'll be able to get better photos. I bought 4 bunches for Ł10!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Thomas Seiler on February 18, 2010, 10:58:51 AM
I bought 4 bunches for Ł10!
Goodness ... I did not realize and missed the opportunity ... :(  The plants you got are charming  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 18, 2010, 11:02:13 AM
I bought 4 bunches for Ł10!

A bargain in anyone's money  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 18, 2010, 04:28:30 PM
A few pictures from a friends garden at the weekend.

This first one unfortunately doesn't come for 4 bunches for Ł10

Godfrey Owen

Daglingworth
Elmley Lovett a selection from here
Garden View - normally this would be more advanced at this time



Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 18, 2010, 05:54:20 PM
Smashing clump of Daglingworth, probably the best I've ever seen. I've used it in the past for breeding, with excellent results, but lost my only two bulbs to narcissus fly a long time ago - never got around to chipping them as I needed the flowers for pollen. Anyone know where you can buy it these days? Ron Mackenzie hasn't offered it for a while. Would probably have found a bulb at the gala but I was stuck signing books and didn't get a good look around.   :-\
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 18, 2010, 07:14:41 PM
Ian, thanks for the pictures.  Personally I think 'Godfrey Owen' is such a good do'er - I really can't understand the price it is still asking.   :-\  I have a nice clump in a few short years and have still managed to give 3 away this year.  

I wasn't going to post these pictures as they are not great - but I am just home from work and it is miserable and wet with some hail and sleet thrown in for good measure.   ::)  So here are a few snaps from the wonderfully sunny day in the garden yesterday.

1 - 'Finchale Abbey' (again) - really opened up in the sun.  And if you can see it... the second from the right has 4 outer petals as an added interest.  I hope it doesn't do it again as the 3 petal version is just about perfection in my mind.   8)

2 - 'Angelique' - not really looking right - but increasing well.

3 - 'Nothing Special' - a lovely looking snowdrop.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 18, 2010, 07:26:54 PM
Smashing clump of Daglingworth, probably the best I've ever seen. I've used it in the past for breeding, with excellent results, but lost my only two bulbs to narcissus fly a long time ago - never got around to chipping them as I needed the flowers for pollen. Anyone know where you can buy it these days? Ron Mackenzie hasn't offered it for a while. Would probably have found a bulb at the gala but I was stuck signing books and didn't get a good look around.   :-\

Martin - I have to agree with you that this is a really smashing clump of 'Daglingworth', not something I have ever seen before. I owe you for the 'Tuesday's Child' that you sent me last September - if you send me a pm with your address, I will send you a bulb of 'Daglingworth' when dormant.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 18, 2010, 07:34:04 PM
How can someone have so many Godfrey Owen so quickly?!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 18, 2010, 07:41:43 PM
How can someone have so many Godfrey Owen so quickly?!

Maybe it likes certain gardens?  It certainly seems happy here.   :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 18, 2010, 07:42:24 PM
How can someone have so many Godfrey Owen so quickly?!
How quickly is quickly ? .... found  circa 1996, shown to the wider 'drop world in 2001 ..that's ten years of growth for anyone who had it early...... I'd want a clump at least that size in the time!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 18, 2010, 07:53:19 PM
How can someone have so many Godfrey Owen so quickly?!

More to the point... How can someone have Godfrey Owen!   ;D

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 18, 2010, 07:53:37 PM
Ian, thanks for the pictures.  Personally I think 'Godfrey Owen' is such a good do'er - I really can't understand the price it is still asking.   :-\  I have a nice clump in a few short years and have still managed to give 3 away this year.  

I wasn't going to post these pictures as they are not great - but I am just home from work and it is miserable and wet with some hail and sleet thrown in for good measure.   ::)  So here are a few snaps from the wonderfully sunny day in the garden yesterday.

1 - 'Finchale Abbey' (again) - really opened up in the sun.  And if you can see it... the second from the right has 4 outer petals as an added interest.  I hope it doesn't do it again as the 3 petal version is just about perfection in my mind.   8)

2 - 'Angelique' - not really looking right - but increasing well.

3 - 'Nothing Special' - a lovely looking snowdrop.

John Like the Nothing Special. I would disagree with the description  it's a very nice plant here is a picture from a friends garden last year




Smashing clump of Daglingworth, probably the best I've ever seen. I've used it in the past for breeding, with excellent results, but lost my only two bulbs to narcissus fly a long time ago - never got around to chipping them as I needed the flowers for pollen. Anyone know where you can buy it these days? Ron Mackenzie hasn't offered it for a while. Would probably have found a bulb at the gala but I was stuck signing books and didn't get a good look around.   :-\



Martin Daglinworth really caught my eye too
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 18, 2010, 07:55:36 PM
Ian,

A wonderful garden - the last photographs shows an fabulous spring planting, even Cornus mas, I think. in flower already while it is only just breaking bud here in the sunny south-east of Ireland.

The snowdrops are simply wonderful, good snowdrops in great clumps, the way to show them off at their best.

Good snowdrops, John; couldn't complain too much about 'Angelique'.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 18, 2010, 08:06:40 PM
Ian,

A wonderful garden - the last photographs shows an fabulous spring planting, even Cornus mas, I think. in flower already while it is only just breaking bud here in the sunny south-east of Ireland.

The snowdrops are simply wonderful, good snowdrops in great clumps, the way to show them off at their best.

Good snowdrops, John; couldn't complain too much about 'Angelique'.

Paddy

Paddy The shrub was a small Hamamellis but I it is difficult to see the detail
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 18, 2010, 08:12:13 PM
Ruth Birchall, who found the original naturalised colony of 'Daglingworth' in Gloucestershire, told me it is definitely variable, as it was a seeding colony. Good forms were selected, but out of those good forms there were no doubt one or two that, when grown on in gardens, proved better than others. She offered me a bulb but I declined as I'd just ordered it from Ron Mackenzie. Probably stupid of me with hindsight, as she'd have been sure to have picked a particularly good form for herself. I don't think we'd talked about its variability at that point. If we had, I think I'd probably have accepted the gift. Oh well, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 18, 2010, 08:12:57 PM
yes I suppose one bought ten years ago could be in double figures by now.

Brocklamont Seedling from Margaret Glynn's garden - nivalis x plicatus but no plicatus present back then
elwesii Penelope Ann lying down due to over night frost
small elwesii continuing to be small
one of the snowdrops from Bowles garden again
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 18, 2010, 08:13:57 PM
Martin - I have to agree with you that this is a really smashing clump of 'Daglingworth', not something I have ever seen before. I owe you for the 'Tuesday's Child' that you sent me last September - if you send me a pm with your address, I will send you a bulb of 'Daglingworth' when dormant.

I'll p.m. you, Chris. Thanks.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 19, 2010, 03:19:06 PM
Just peeking through the snow as it melts under the trees Mighty Atom. At present 3 inches high with a 2inch flower
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 19, 2010, 06:01:15 PM
How can someone have so many Godfrey Owen so quickly?!

Godfrey Owen clumps up quite fast for me.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: daveyp1970 on February 19, 2010, 07:17:38 PM
my favourite snowdrop in my garden at the moment and i think my nicest G.woronowii i love how the flowers hang down.It's a common snowdrop but i love it.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 19, 2010, 08:16:11 PM
Davey it looks very drawn and pale
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: daveyp1970 on February 19, 2010, 08:47:56 PM
Mark this plant come from a south raised sort of bulb frame its only in my greenhouse because i lifted the clump to put it in my new garden this is my other clump.This is how the flower looks all the time well the four years i've had it,i'll take a pic next year in its new spot.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 19, 2010, 09:39:16 PM
I am feeling rather depressed today as my only two bulbs of my most treasured snowdrop (a virescent elwesii) have died out between last year and this.  Fortunately I had the good sense to send away my third bulb for chipping so there is still some hope.

Nearby I found this bulb, a particularly large elwesii with a particularly large bulb (about the size of a golf ball).  As you can see (I cut the bulb in half for ease of inspection) something has eaten a substantial chunk out of it - but then got full-up, presumably.  As is characteristic of insect damage to snowdrops in my garden, the attacker seems to have worked its way in from the outside.  The roots had also been damaged.

I am now planning to transplant the bulk of my snowdrops in my raised bed (which is not actually very many) into lattice pots.  Does anyone have any thoughts on which pots to use?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 20, 2010, 10:03:15 AM
I've used these, and so far everything seems OK. I got the deepest ones I could.
http://www.ketteringkoi.com/acatalog/Pond_Planting.html
http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue/pond-planting-baskets-accessories.asp#product1849
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 20, 2010, 10:41:00 AM
I managed to get the wrong label on these when I chipped them in 07. Last year at first flowering the combined might for the white forum was unable to put a name to them (they are labelled Colossus!). This year I think it might be easier, judging by the bad behaviour of the flowers, as I think I might have been lucky enough to mislabel Mrs Thomson. 9 of the 19 flowers are aberrant. Any thoughts, please?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 20, 2010, 10:42:39 AM
That should have read 'chipped in 06'. Here are the leaves:
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 20, 2010, 10:44:26 AM
By the way, it has a lovely scent.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 20, 2010, 11:13:09 AM
Presumably there is a limited range of possibilities for what the correct name should be, based on all the bulbs you chipped in 2006?  Or do you do this on such an industrial scale that it could be any snowdrop?

By the way, thanks for the information on lattice pots.  I was thinking of using the 11x11x11 cm ones, have you tried those?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 20, 2010, 11:24:47 AM
I managed to get the wrong label on these when I chipped them in 07. Last year at first flowering the combined might for the white forum was unable to put a name to them (they are labelled Colossus!). This year I think it might be easier, judging by the bad behaviour of the flowers, as I think I might have been lucky enough to mislabel Mrs Thomson. 9 of the 19 flowers are aberrant. Any thoughts, please?

Yes, Anne, they look like 'Mrs Thompson'. They get better as the bulbs increase in size, the multiplication of the flower segments becoming more frequent and more regular. When small bulbs, they'll often be all, or almost all, normal single flowers that look pretty much identical to 'Ketton'. In fact, before now I've chipped what I thought was Ketton only to find later that it was Mrs Thompson.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 20, 2010, 11:38:37 AM
I think I've shown this one before.  It's not Mrs Thompson but it behaves similarly.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 20, 2010, 11:41:57 AM
Does that one have an ID? What is the mark like on the inners? Yes, I've used the 11x11x11 baskets, and these are very good for the smaller varieties and younger bulbs.
06 was the first year I chipped snowdrops in any quantity, and I began records on the computer then, so these were entered according to the pot label, which was wrong. I have had Mrs T since 05.
Thank you, Martin, for confirmation. I am very happy to have this nice potful of Mrs T when I thought I only had a few.  :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 20, 2010, 12:02:57 PM
Does that one have an ID? What is the mark like on the inners?...

This snowdrop does not have an ID, it's just one I found locally that proved to be very vigorous.  Because it tends to produce extra outer petals (if not whole extra ovaries and flowers) you rarely get to see the inner markings as the flowers never open very wide, even on a warm day.  If you force the flowers open, the markings are nothing special, standard nivalis-style as I recall.  I will try to get a photograph if we ever get a warm day.   
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Diane Whitehead on February 20, 2010, 03:52:33 PM
There is a photo of G. Ronald MacKenzie P.C. on page 492 of
 the December issue of The Alpine Gardener, the Bulletin of
the AGS. 

It is amazingly yellow - leaf tips, pedicel, long ovary, large basal
mark.

The photo here a couple of screens back is not as yellow.

From those who have seen the plant and both photos, which
is the most accurate?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 20, 2010, 06:38:54 PM
Alan

Re-interment in lattice pots should help, but if there are maybe nasty things still lurking in the soil, had you thought of applying a strong disinfectant to the site of the vanished and part-eaten bulbs? Something like Jetfire or Jeyes Fluid?  Apologies if you are ahead of me.

Steve
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 20, 2010, 08:32:04 PM
Hi Davey

Are you now on the slippery slope to white fever?....   ;D

John
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 20, 2010, 08:33:17 PM
There is a photo of G. Ronald MacKenzie P.C. on page 492 of
 the December issue of The Alpine Gardener, the Bulletin of
the AGS.  

It is amazingly yellow - leaf tips, pedicel, long ovary, large basal
mark.

The photo here a couple of screens back is not as yellow.

From those who have seen the plant and both photos, which
is the most accurate?

Hi Diane

As I mentioend with my photo 2 pages back it is actually a LOT yellower in real life than my picture shows (much more egg yoke yellow) - and large shapely flowers too.  A stunning flower in real life.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 20, 2010, 08:36:20 PM
I am feeling rather depressed today as my only two bulbs of my most treasured snowdrop (a virescent elwesii) have died out between last year and this.  Fortunately I had the good sense to send away my third bulb for chipping so there is still some hope.

That's a real shame Alan - I remember the wonderful photogrpahs of your green elwesii finds.  Hopefully the chips will do well.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 20, 2010, 09:05:05 PM
How can someone have so many Godfrey Owen so quickly?!

Bought in 2007 not flowering this year but at least eight bulbs (and one removed), a good doer!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 20, 2010, 09:12:03 PM
I am feeling rather depressed today as my only two bulbs of my most treasured snowdrop (a virescent elwesii) have died out between last year and this. 
I am now planning to transplant the bulk of my snowdrops in my raised bed (which is not actually very many) into lattice pots.  Does anyone have any thoughts on which pots to use?

Thank goodness you had it chipped Alan, I use the 13cm x 10cm round baskets and vary the planting depth for those that have descended to the bottom of them the next time they are split.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 21, 2010, 08:49:48 AM
Thanks to everyone who commiserated with me over my snowdrop loss.  I'm used to such things happening but I had hoped that a raised bed (with sides raised above the height of the soil) would circumvent the marauding bulb-eating insects in my garden.  These hopes have been dashed so now it's time for plan B.

In this plan, I favour planting the bulbs in the ground inside square lattice pots, square on the basis that I haven't a huge amount of room and I can pack them closer together if necessary.  The best price I have seen for the 11x11x11 cm lattice pots is 33p each from KetteringKoi  http://www.ketteringkoi.com/acatalog/Pond_Planting.html (thanks to Anne Wright for this) but they have a hefty delivery charge so it works out nearer 50p each even if you buy a large quantity (50?).  I wonder if you can buy them wholesale anywhere?

I'm also considering top-dressing the pots with crushed sea-shells (going cheap at my local garden centre) on the basis that the sharp edges might prove an unpleasant tactile experience for any insect trying to burrow down.  Can anyone think of a reason against this idea, i.e. that some harm would come to the snowdrops?         
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 21, 2010, 10:10:53 AM
You could consider, as I intend to, covering the bed with enviromesh or fleece during the dying-down period, when they are most vulnerable to fly attack.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 21, 2010, 10:13:58 AM
...they have a hefty delivery charge so it works out nearer 50p each even if you buy a large quantity (50?).  I wonder if you can buy them wholesale anywhere?

Try an aquatic nursery near Cambridge Alan, they often have them, I use a garden centre near Norwich which orders them in for me and could be less expensive.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Pauli on February 21, 2010, 10:34:48 AM
Here in Austria the Galantghus-season is just about to start. We are waiting for a few warm days after 6 weeks frost and snow and I hope to see more flowers next weekend ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Sinchets on February 21, 2010, 10:51:14 AM
These are only wild Galanthus, but we saw them yesterday on our trip to the southeast of Bulgaria. I think they are G.nivalis. The first is from inland where they are growing in woodlands on limestone with Cyclamen coum, Scilla bifolia, Primula vulgaris ssp sibthorpii, Arum and in a few weeks time Fritillaria pontica.
I must also apologise as I now realise that the Galanthus I had thought was G.elwesii minor from the sand dunes near the Black Sea coast is only G.nivalis. Last year we were later in our visit and only a few plants were still flowering- as these had twisted leaves I misidentified them. This year the whole area was in flower and only some of the plants had twisted leaves and and of these only some had greenish yellow ovaries.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: chasw on February 21, 2010, 10:52:09 AM
That looks exactly like my garden too  :(
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 21, 2010, 11:39:56 AM
I love this form of G fosteri with its sail-like outers and upturned inners. Also this is my last 'Squire Burroughs, as I ve given the rest to other growers in the hope they will succeed with it more than I have.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: hadacekf on February 21, 2010, 05:24:29 PM
Spring reached Vienna. I had two months long 30 cm snow in the garden. The Galanthus grew under the snow. The snow is still 10 cm high.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: TC on February 21, 2010, 06:31:55 PM
After yesterdays Galanthus spectacle at Dunblane, we thought we would check Fullarton woods to see if the snowdrops had opened in the sunshine.  The answer was no -still too cold however they still look wonderfull en masse.  I thought I would try to see if there were any different flowers among the tens of thousands and attempted to get closer - see picture.
This is as low as I can get.  Cindy noted that one flower amongst a clump, had a green area where the rest were white. See picture.  We saw a few more in this clump of about 12 flowers.
Now, I know nothing about snowdrops except that they are pretty wee flowers which come out when there is nothing else doing.  My question is, have I seen anything unusual or of note?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 21, 2010, 06:44:24 PM
Tom,

I think you have found a very nice and interesting snowdrop. Did you take note of the foliage, the arrangement of the leaves as this would tell us of what species it is.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: TC on February 21, 2010, 07:49:12 PM
Here are a couple more I have just taken.  It snapped off when we were trying to photograph it in the wild so I took it home to see it closer.  The bulb is still in situ 
I would estimate the flowers height as about 20cms.  There were a few similar ones in the same clump.  These woods have been planted ages ago.  It could even have been in the 19th century.  It would be rather unusual if some different varieties had not occurred.  There is quite a variation in size throughout the wood.  Sizes vary from 10cms to about 25cms.  I assumed that this was due to growing conditions .  The woodland soil is heavy and continually moist - almost boggy.  There are other clumps that are growing in grass.
As I have said already, I haven't a clue about them unless the differences are very obvious
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 21, 2010, 08:02:39 PM
Hi Tom, your Galanthus looks really unusual. How is the consistence of the inner tepales??? It seems, it looks a little bit like glass, because you can see the yellow of the stamen. Never saw a healthy Galanthus with dark green apical mark and light greenish inner petales. When you can see the glass- effect, than the plant isn`t OK.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 21, 2010, 08:29:00 PM
I thought the same also. It looks like it has been bruised. Look after it well, label and hope it comes back the same next year.

Tomorrow Jo and I are off to visit Robin Hall
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 21, 2010, 08:33:08 PM
Mark, take some pics of RUBY BAKER please.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 21, 2010, 11:14:31 PM
This isn't a very good picture but I could not identify the mark on this snowdrop, which otherwise I would have taken for Wendy's Gold.  Although it isn't easy to tell from the picture, the mark looks like an inverted heart shape, quite attractive.  Of course, it may be a once-only phenomenon or just one that I do not recognise.

   
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: michael broadhurst on February 22, 2010, 03:42:50 PM
After reading some of the rather mean comments about 'Anglesey Orange Tip' I thought I would join the fray and post a picture of it in bud. I think it is a stunning plant (it's done this for at least 4 years) and a view am pleased to note that is supported by at least two of the top experts. It has to be said that the colour does fade to almost white as the flower develops which will please some no doubt. David Jordan has found another 4 different elwesii with apricot coloured outers this year. Joe Sharman says he also has several. Bad news for some as it appears that: 'The Future's not White it's ORANGE'!
I am also showing pictures a elwesii chimera which is botanically interesting (2nd year it has done this). It is unlikely that this plant could be bulked up - I'm sure to the relief of the less broadminded. Please no comments about it has virus etc - it hasn't - at least that's the experts view.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 22, 2010, 03:53:05 PM
How delightful that the Anglesey Orange Tip does have fans.... and what a surprise to discover that expressing a preference constitutes narrow-mindedness.... I truly I had no idea that was the case  ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Diane Whitehead on February 22, 2010, 04:12:57 PM
Are these orange ones being found in just one area?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: emma T on February 22, 2010, 04:45:14 PM
I like them both  ;D and would love to add Chimera and Anglesey Orange Tip to my collection
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gail on February 22, 2010, 05:28:47 PM
I am also showing pictures a elwesii chimera which is botanically interesting (2nd year it has done this). It is unlikely that this plant could be bulked up - I'm sure to the relief of the less broadminded. Please no comments about it has virus etc - it hasn't - at least that's the experts view.

The chimera looks fascinating.  Why do you think its unlikely to bulk up?
Has anyone tried propagating Galanthus by leaf cuttings as with Haemanthus & Lachenalia??
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 22, 2010, 05:36:48 PM
I managed to grab a few photos over the weekend in between the snow and the CGS event. Unfortunately the cold weather has prevented them from opening up yet but at least you should get the gist of it  :)

I'm not getting in to the argument about orange coloured or shaded snowdrops. I have posted a picture of Jonathan purely because I like it and actually prefer it as it is now rather than when it opens up. That's not to say that I don't like it when it is open, it's just that I prefer it like it is now. ;) If the weather ever warms up and the sun eventually comes out I may be able to post another with it open.

You should see Jonathan, Trimmer, Fanny, South Hayes, Cider with Rosie and a plant sold to me last year as Epiphany but looking at the flower and the leaves this is clearly not the case. I can't make my mind up as to whether I like it or not.

South Hayes has very strong green markings this year and seems to improve with age. Cider with Rosie is a very diminutive green marked woronowii. The colour is very light green but extremely pleasing. I just hope that it flourishes.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 22, 2010, 05:41:44 PM
After reading some of the rather mean comments about 'Anglesey Orange Tip' I thought I would join the fray and post a picture of it in bud.....

You may have considered my comments about the 'Anglesey Orange Tip' as 'mean' but the main point I was trying to get across was that it is not orange but off-white in the direction of orange.  However in bud the colour is clearly much stronger, as your photo illustrates.  'Anglesey Orange Bud' might be a more appropriate name.

Galanthophiles have already got a bad reputation for being prepared to pay crazy prices for rare snowdrop bulbs. Things can only get worse if we now start naming off-white snowdrops as if they were full-coloured.        
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 22, 2010, 06:20:19 PM
This isn't a very good picture but I could not identify the mark on this snowdrop, which otherwise I would have taken for Wendy's Gold.  Although it isn't easy to tell from the picture, the mark looks like an inverted heart shape, quite attractive.  Of course, it may be a once-only phenomenon or just one that I do not recognise.

   
Having recently stripped all the 'petals' off quite a few Wendy's Gold to allow me access to the sexual parts, I can confirm that the degree of yellow marking on the inners varies quite a lot, including some like yours.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 22, 2010, 07:01:00 PM
David

Nice pics. Cider with Rosie is such a sweetie.

Steve
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 22, 2010, 07:11:13 PM
...'Anglesey Orange Tip' I thought I would join the fray and post a picture of it in bud.
I am also showing pictures a elwesii chimera ...

I look forward to seeing them in the flesh Mike, I have to say that, more and more, I have come to the conclusion that you have to see them in the flesh before you can make a considered opinion, photographs just do not do snowdrops justice!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 22, 2010, 07:27:28 PM
Wouldn't a clump of really coffee-coloured snowdrops in amongst white clumps look terrific? Called "Cafe Latte" of course. :-*
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 22, 2010, 07:37:58 PM
Not sure about orange  :-\ the last time I saw one like this it had the staggy  ::)

Here is my Primrose Warburg not fully open yet but clumping up nicely
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 07:43:58 PM
Not sure about orange  :-\ the last time I saw one like this it had the staggy  ::)

Here is my Primrose Warburg not fully open yet but clumping up nicely

Lovely clump, Ian.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Nicholson on February 22, 2010, 07:47:54 PM
How many bulbs did you start with Ian? Mine is a clump of one at the moment and I wondered if I have enough years left to get it to the stage of yours? ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 07:50:11 PM
A few taken in the garden yesterday afternoon. Paddy

G. nivalis subsp angustifolius
G. Atkinsii
G. Atkinsii Moccas form - while I think G. Atkinsii is an excellent garden snowdrop I find the Atkinsii cultivars too similar to each other.
G. 'Bertram Anderson' - like this, a great big flower
G. 'Bungee'
G. nivalis 'Chedworth'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 07:55:00 PM
A tiny little one - G. 'Cockatoo', a very low-growing double less than two inches high at present.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 08:01:16 PM
And an odd one - a chance abberation on a flower of G. 'Woodtown'. Two flowers seem to be fused into one. You can see the two ovaries fused together and then in the following photograph the two centres inside and, finally, the six outer petals.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Thomas Seiler on February 22, 2010, 08:28:13 PM
Nice and interesting photographs, Paddy! And that of 'Atkinsii' is even a great one, showing all the qualities of this cultivar and has an aesthetical distinction of its own.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 08:34:26 PM
Nice and interesting photographs, Paddy! And that of 'Atkinsii' is even a great one, showing all the qualities of this cultivar and has an aesthetical distinction of its own.

Thank you for your very kind comments, Thomas.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 22, 2010, 08:36:41 PM
How many bulbs did you start with Ian? Mine is a clump of one at the moment and I wondered if I have enough years left to get it to the stage of yours? ;D

David I bought only one bulb for Ł???? as a dormant bulb about 5 years ago it quite clearly likes me  ::) but all can go wrong in short order when th N fly is on the prowl.

Is yours in pot or is released into the wild?

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ashley on February 22, 2010, 08:37:32 PM
I find the Atkinsii cultivars too similar to each other.

You shock me Paddy ;) ;D
Fine pictures & plants, even to my philistine eye.
Did you get to Altamont this year?  Unfortunately I wasn't able to travel up there last week or weekend.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: ian mcenery on February 22, 2010, 08:40:36 PM
Not sure about orange  :-\ the last time I saw one like this it had the staggy  ::)

Here is my Primrose Warburg not fully open yet but clumping up nicely

Lovely clump, Ian.

Paddy

Thanks Paddy yours look good too. Bertram Anderson is a favourite of mine too
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 08:43:34 PM
I find the Atkinsii cultivars too similar to each other.

You shock me Paddy ;) ;D
Fine pictures & plants, even to my philistine eye.
Did you get to Altamont this year?  Unfortunately I wasn't able to travel up there last week or weekend.

Ah, well, truth will out. I like G. Atkinsii very much, a great garden plant, but there are several cultivars of G. Atkinsii which, to  my eye, defy separation, Lyn and Silverwells are two which spring to mind. James Backhouse is differentiated simply by the fact it produces aberrant petals.

Yes, we went to Altamont on Tuesday last. My god, it is a dreadfully cold place. In conversation with Paul Cutler I commented that we had had a low of minus seven celcius and he told me that they had minus seventeen during a cold spell in January, lake frozen etc.

The snowdrops were behind as might be expected but were doing fine last week. They had damage to a lot of shrubs and trees and fear they might have lost quite a few.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 08:44:23 PM
Not sure about orange  :-\ the last time I saw one like this it had the staggy  ::)

Here is my Primrose Warburg not fully open yet but clumping up nicely

Lovely clump, Ian.

Paddy

Thanks Paddy yours look good too. Bertram Anderson is a favourite of mine too

Ian, yes, Bertram Anderson is a fine snowdrop, great size and presence in the garden. Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 22, 2010, 09:09:11 PM
Michael I like both snowdrops especially the variagated plant. Maybe Orange Tip should have an RHS colour chart colour.

Paddy, Bob's Woodtown doesnt have the yellow mark.

Hagen of course.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Thomas Seiler on February 22, 2010, 09:12:35 PM
After reading some of the rather mean comments about 'Anglesey Orange Tip' I thought I would join the fray and post a picture of it in bud. I think it is a stunning plant (it's done this for at least 4 years) and a view am pleased to note that is supported by at least two of the top experts. It has to be said that the colour does fade to almost white as the flower develops which will please some no doubt. David Jordan has found another 4 different elwesii with apricot coloured outers this year. Joe Sharman says he also has several. Bad news for some as it appears that: 'The Future's not White it's ORANGE'!
I am also showing pictures a elwesii chimera which is botanically interesting (2nd year it has done this). It is unlikely that this plant could be bulked up - I'm sure to the relief of the less broadminded. Please no comments about it has virus etc - it hasn't - at least that's the experts view.

As for 'Anglesey Orange Tip': I just showed the photograph to a friend, who is by no means a galanthophile but a teacher of the fine arts and therefore with a certain feeling for colour and well, he considered this as a muddy brown without any orange. I have not seen it in the flesh, but maybe names like caffe latte or latte macchiato would be more appropriate ...  :)  Nevertheless, we all would only be too pleased, if we could add it to our collection, if somebody would offer it to us at a reasonable price. But I fear, nobody will.  ;D

The elwesii chimera is really stunning, but , as often with these variegated plants, seems to be without any vigour of growing.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 09:26:08 PM
Paddy, Bob's Woodtown doesnt have the yellow mark.

I must say I don't recall taking great notice of these markings last year but the whole clump has these markings this year. Perhaps, Bob's will do so next year.

P.S. Looked back at photographs from last year and, yes, these marks were then present along with two stronger marks which are hidden, I think, by the outer petals in the photograph above.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 22, 2010, 10:25:07 PM
Paddy, I have just seen a wonderful show of Atkinsii at Rococo Garden near Painswick in the Cotswoolds. Thousands in large drifts but I can`t understand why none were for sale,Jim.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 22, 2010, 10:29:45 PM
seemples - nobody wants them because everyone is now aiming too high chasing the impossible
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 22, 2010, 10:50:28 PM
Paddy, I have just seen a wonderful show of Atkinsii at Rococo Garden near Painswick in the Cotswoolds. Thousands in large drifts but I can`t understand why none were for sale,Jim.

Jim,

Do say you had your camera with you and that you are going to post photographs soon. The spread of G. atkinsii you describe sounds wonderful.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 23, 2010, 07:25:11 AM
And an odd one - a chance abberation on a flower of G. 'Woodtown'. Two flowers seem to be fused into one. You can see the two ovaries fused together and then in the following photograph the two centres inside and, finally, the six outer petals.

Paddy

I have never yet found a four-leaf clover but I reckon snowdrops with fused ovaries are quite easy to find if you look in a 'wild' population of snowdrops - maybe G. plicatus in particular.  Here's one I noticed on Saturday.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Nicholson on February 23, 2010, 09:21:54 AM
How many bulbs did you start with Ian? Mine is a clump of one at the moment and I wondered if I have enough years left to get it to the stage of yours? ;D

David I bought only one bulb for Ł???? as a dormant bulb about 5 years ago it quite clearly likes me  ::) but all can go wrong in short order when th N fly is on the prowl.

Is yours in pot or is released into the wild?



It's in the wild Ian. I bought the bulb last February. So by the time I can just manage to potter down the garden I should have a nice clump ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Mavers on February 23, 2010, 09:33:24 AM
Chimera is delightful Mike thanks for showing us & a warm welcome too.

I would like to see the 'orange' snowdrop in the flesh it is certainly an interesting colour break.

Mike

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Regelian on February 23, 2010, 09:50:05 AM
This little guy has popped-up in the lawn.  Very small, at about 3"/7cm tall, but a charmer.  I have no idea what it is and believe I planted it from a grab-bag of Galanthus seedlings.  Any ideas as to possible species, or is it clearly a hybrid?

The next is a sweet G. nivalis that popped up amongst the woodland beds.  I rather like the gracile form.  Hope it keeps it.

unk Galanthus seedling
G. nivalis seedling
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 23, 2010, 10:08:54 AM
You may be interested to see what John Grimshaw has to say about the orange tipped snowdrop:

http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 23, 2010, 10:41:38 AM
For pics of snowdrops at the Early Bulb Display, Dunblane last Saturday see here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4607.30
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 23, 2010, 01:32:28 PM
That's an interesting curiosity, Rob; I hope it proves stable.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 23, 2010, 01:35:58 PM
Any ideas as to possible species, or is it clearly a hybrid?

No sign of folding back on the leaves so not a plicate.  The leaves seem slightly curved, are they applenate or supervolute?  The photograph does not show the base of the leaves so I cannot tell.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 23, 2010, 01:36:22 PM
This little guy has popped-up in the lawn.  Very small, at about 3"/7cm tall, but a charmer.  I have no idea what it is and believe I planted it from a grab-bag of Galanthus seedlings.  Any ideas as to possible species, or is it clearly a hybrid?

The leaves and flower look like elwesii.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: emma T on February 23, 2010, 03:38:58 PM
Thats a nice find Rob.  ;D

I found a four petaled woronowii today in my local garden centre  :) . I hope that it also stays the same next year
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 23, 2010, 03:43:25 PM
Rob.  I love it.  My guess is that it won't do it again (I have collected a few of that type of anomalies over the last few years and they all turn out normal the following year  ::) ).  Glad you got the chance to take a picture and share it with us - just my sort of weirdness.   ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Regelian on February 23, 2010, 04:06:19 PM
Any ideas as to possible species, or is it clearly a hybrid?

No sign of folding back on the leaves so not a plicate.  The leaves seem slightly curved, are they applenate or supervolute?  The photograph does not show the base of the leaves so I cannot tell.
Alan, it is volute, but not really supervolute in that the leaves do not completely enclose each other.  There is a slight boating and curve to the leaves. As Martin mentioned, it does resemble G. elwesii a bit, but I've never seen one this small or this early in season.  It is ahead of G. nivalis by at least a week.  Other than blooming time, leaf arrangement and general size, I really do not know how to tell the various species apart.  Apparently, the petal marks are of little use.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 23, 2010, 05:14:53 PM
Boy that is a strange one Rob.

Here's another weird one, an elwesii, a friend just found.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 23, 2010, 05:26:41 PM
I suppose you are noticing how hard some of these 'drops are trying to be Leucojums?  ::) :D??
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 23, 2010, 05:30:45 PM
I suppose you are noticing how hard some of these 'drops are trying to be Leucojums?  ::) :D??

What's your name?  Ian?....   ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 23, 2010, 06:05:37 PM
Any ideas as to possible species, or is it clearly a hybrid?

No sign of folding back on the leaves so not a plicate.  The leaves seem slightly curved, are they applenate or supervolute?  The photograph does not show the base of the leaves so I cannot tell.
Alan, it is volute, but not really supervolute in that the leaves do not completely enclose each other.  There is a slight boating and curve to the leaves. As Martin mentioned, it does resemble G. elwesii a bit, but I've never seen one this small or this early in season.  It is ahead of G. nivalis by at least a week.  Other than blooming time, leaf arrangement and general size, I really do not know how to tell the various species apart.  Apparently, the petal marks are of little use.

The earliest elwesii flower in November in the UK, possibly there are some even earlier.  I have several in my small collection that flower in December and these are not hard to find.  So flowering earlier in the season than nivalis is a good sign it might be elwesii.  Having said that, nivalis collected from different locations may also flower several weeks apart.

I agree with Martin that it resembles an elwesii.  Some elwesii are small and an elwesii/nivalis hybrid could certainly be small.  The petal marks could be an elwesii but, as you have learned, are often not a good indicator of species.       
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 23, 2010, 07:58:07 PM
Paddy, I only had my mobile phone camera with me so photo`s were not very good. Will try and post some later. Jim
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 23, 2010, 08:00:12 PM
Paddy, I only had my mobile phone camera with me so phot

Another time, then.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Regelian on February 23, 2010, 09:17:11 PM
Alan,

thanks.  I didn't realize the bloom time could be so variable.  Learn something every day....

jamie
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 23, 2010, 09:32:42 PM
A few more from the garden, continuing from last night's posting. Paddy


G. 'Comet' - showing the nice long pedicles which give it the "in flight" appearance which I imagine was the reason for the name.
G. elwesii monostictus - or G. caucasicus as the seed from which I grew this was then named.
G. 'Fishing Rod' - I like this more and more each day as the flowers grow further and the pedicles get longer and longer and more and more elegant.
G. 'Irish Green' - this is only just above ground, a cm or two high, and I hope it will open better in coming days.
G. 'Long John' - well, with my youngest son called "John", this is one I had to have. I must get 'Little John' now.
G. 'John Gray' - good strong green markings.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 23, 2010, 09:37:30 PM
Paddy, Here are my mobile phone pictures of Atkinsii at Rococo gardens. Some of the drifts were of a double variety which I am not sure about. I could ring them to ask. Jim.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 23, 2010, 09:42:07 PM
Wow, how lovely to see snowdrops in such large numbers though they are obviously planted rather than naturalised.

A double form of 'Atkinsii' - I wonder if it is 'James Backhouse' which is an irregularly shaped form of 'Atkinsii' but, then again, it may be some other double altogether.

Thanks for the photographs. You lucky people living in the U.K. are really spoiled for good gardens and must find it great to be able to go view such plantings.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 23, 2010, 09:45:47 PM
3 more pics of Rococo, will also post some of Cerney and Colesbourne, separately,Jim
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 23, 2010, 09:55:39 PM
Great to see them in such number, Jim.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 23, 2010, 10:03:21 PM
Paddy, Not sure if the double at Rococo is Atkinsii form. Maybe some other forum members can advise
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 23, 2010, 10:11:31 PM
Here are some pics of Cerney Gardens
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 23, 2010, 10:33:48 PM
Here are some from Colesbourne.
1,George Elwes
2.Spindlestone surprise
3.Pusly GT ? label faded
4.Lady Beatrix Stanley
5.John Gray
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 23, 2010, 10:47:19 PM
Alan,

thanks.  I didn't realize the bloom time could be so variable.  Learn something every day....

jamie

In my area quite a lot of people grow elwesii in their front gardens and these can be seem just walking down the street.  One house has elwesii reliably in flower by the New Year and in the next village I am told there is a house with some that often flower in November.  So once you develop an awareness of snowdrops, you can find out quite a lot just by being observant. 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 23, 2010, 11:02:46 PM
I bought Galanthus elwesii 'Hiemalis' from Broadleigh as it was reported to flower in November. It never flowers before late January/early February in my garden. :(
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 23, 2010, 11:10:31 PM
I bought Galanthus elwesii 'Hiemalis' from Broadleigh as it was reported to flower in November. It never flowers before late January/early February in my garden. :(

But the point about 'Hiemelis' is that it is a classification, not a named variety because the number of early-flowering elwesii is so numerous.  I have the named variety 'Barnes' but it never flowers for me before December whereas others say their Barnes flowers weeks earlier.  I think a warm spot is required to bring the flowering time forward.   
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 23, 2010, 11:44:49 PM

3.Pusly GT ? label faded

This photo, DSCF0324.JPG #3, Jim, is I suspect :  'Pusey Green Tip'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 24, 2010, 10:09:08 AM

3.Pusly GT ? label faded

This photo, DSCF0324.JPG #3, Jim, is I suspect :  'Pusey Green Tip'

Maggi you are posting about snowdrops :o :o :o
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 24, 2010, 10:22:24 AM
Maggi - revealed as a closet galanthophile!! ; ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 24, 2010, 10:28:34 AM
Maggi - revealed as a closet galanthophile!! ; ;)

Not just Maggi - her husband is too.   :o

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 24, 2010, 10:33:15 AM
You should have saved that one for blackmail purposes.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 24, 2010, 10:45:28 AM
Maggi - revealed as a closet galanthophile!! ; ;)

Not just Maggi - her husband is too.   :o



Sprung!!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 24, 2010, 11:34:14 AM
Did you take a pic of Ian's knees John. That's the proof. ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 24, 2010, 11:39:53 AM
Did you take a pic of Ian's knees John. That's the proof. ;D
   ;)

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Ian Y on February 24, 2010, 11:41:32 AM
Well, with the Galanthophile Special Service Unit in full camouflage  sneaking up on a person..........

Maybe I should have worn the camouflage gear and not bright red and I would not have been spotted.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Sinchets on February 24, 2010, 11:47:22 AM
I am not sure if these would be Galanthus elwesii or G.elwesii minor. The leaves of all the plants are twisting, but only some have paler ovaries. Anyway the plants are now flowering with Crocus flavus in the company of Cyclamen hederifolium on a limestone pavement near Veliko Tarnovo.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 24, 2010, 11:54:21 AM
Also, Ian, you give yourself away as a beginner - you don't need to photograph ALL the white stuff!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: annew on February 24, 2010, 11:56:05 AM
Just discovered this little clump of G. nivali 'Sandersii' in one of my troughs. There was no sign of them the last time I looked. Hmm, somebody's nicked a flower!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 24, 2010, 12:05:01 PM
I am not sure if these would be Galanthus elwesii or G.elwesii minor. The leaves of all the plants are twisting, but only some have paler ovaries. Anyway the plants are now flowering with Crocus flavus in the company of Cyclamen hederifolium on a limestone pavement near Veliko Tarnovo.

From the look of the flower and markings and your description, most likely gracilis or 'elwesii minor' as your local flora calls it.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Sinchets on February 24, 2010, 01:07:40 PM
Thanks, Martin. Flora Bulgarica makes no distinction between any forms of Galanthus elwesii and I used the name only because it appears in "Bulbs" by Phillips and Rix. They also say this form is from southern Bulgaria, whereas these plants were photgraphed in northern Bulgaria- 2 mountain chains and a couple of hundred kilometres further north.  ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 24, 2010, 01:17:45 PM
Sorry, Simon, I thought I recalled you saying that your local flora distinguished between elwesii and elwesii minor (instead of gracilis) but maybe that was someone else. My memory ain't what it used to be. The Phillips and Rix book is out of date on this. Latest naming is gracilis, to replace the older names graecus and elwesii minor for the small elwesii-like species with applanate leaves and (often) twisted leaves, plus usually outward-splaying inner segments. However, as I've mentioned elsewhere, just how distinct the two species are is debateable, as there's some overlap of the distinguishing features between the two in wild populations.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Sinchets on February 24, 2010, 01:25:16 PM
Thanks again, Martin. These ones certainly had outward- splaying inner segments. Is there any record of the distribution of Galanthus gracilis within areas where G.elwesii is found?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 24, 2010, 01:53:44 PM
Thanks again, Martin. These ones certainly had outward- splaying inner segments. Is there any record of the distribution of Galanthus gracilis within areas where G.elwesii is found?

Yes, I understand it's not uncommon for them both to be found in the same area.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 24, 2010, 05:13:19 PM
I thought I'd better check that there was something in the garden for Kentgardener to see when he comes up this weekend ::)
The birds are still maliciously pecking the flowers off my snowdrops - biting the hand that feeds them :-\

Hence I have had to protect one or two things, the first picture shows the undecorous method of choice.  The second what is inside - Galanthus 'Wasp' which was bought as a single bulb in 2008.  As he likes oddities (well he is coming here so he must do) I am pleased to have found G. 'Miss Adventure' at the Blacksmith's cottage event, thanks Mike, this picture shows the white spathes beautifully. 

I picked up my order from Monksilver at the weekend and was pleased to see that I have got G. 'Ecusson d'Or' after trying for the last three years, more so that it does have yellow on the outers which you could see better this weekend.
Also a present from a very kind forumist a poculiform elwesii which looks to be a good doer as it is it's first year and it has two flowers.

Two nice green tipped flowers, G.'Modern Art' and G.'All Saints' (another good doer), and lastly G. plicatus brauneri, very short this year but a nice snowdrop.  Perhaps it is because, like all the rest, it is having to force it's way through layers of moss :-X
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 24, 2010, 07:01:10 PM
Brian,

The gospels have something to say about hiding your light under a bushel but hiding your snowdrops under pots is certainly a new one to me.

Whatever you are doing, your snowdrops are certainly looking well and good to have 'Eccuson d'Or' in your collection after trying for three years. The poculiform elwesii is looking very well - and with two flowers, lucky you.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 24, 2010, 07:01:35 PM
Three from the garden today - G. 'Green Lantern', an Irish cultivar which arose in Altamont Gardens, Co. Carlow, 'The Whopper' which isn't fully open here yet but is very promising and, finally, 'Modern Art' but the markings are quite faint - compare them with Brian's above.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 24, 2010, 08:26:44 PM
Brian / Paddy

Have you noticed any pollen on the elwesii Poculiformis? If so Martin is anxious to get a bit or at least he was before he got into the Bushmills.  It would be great to cross it with a Poc nivalis.

Paddy - The Green Lantern has good strong outer tip markings, lovely.

A few snowdrops close to the house are just about to open.  Strange to hear that Luit first Hamamelis is just opening now. Can we possibly be ahead in the witchhazel department?

johnw - incredibly raw here today and dark at 4c, the harbour looks pitch black.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 24, 2010, 09:01:55 PM
John,

To date I have had no hope of pollen as the poculiform elwesii has only opened fully on two days and remained closed on all other occasions. I will continue to keep a watch on it - might even put in under a pot like Brian does - and catch pollen if I can at all.

'Green Lantern' is indeed a good one. I was given a bulb last season and it has flowered and produced a side shoot already so I am very pleased.

Hamamelis are in full flower here.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 24, 2010, 09:06:01 PM
Hi Brian,

Glad to see that your improvised snowdrop protection device (patent pending) is working. As you know, I have been having the same problems here with the birds destroying emerging flowers. I'll give your solution a try at the weekend assuming that there's anything left work protecting.

I'm pleased that you got 'Ecusson d'Or'. I got this last year and it hasn't flowered this year so be prepared! I think that this is best viewed in a trough or planter as I fear that it would get 'lost' in the garden. I hope that it grows well for you as you certainly seem to have the knack going by the photos you have posted.

I hope all goes well this weekend with John F. He certainly gets about. London on Tuesday, Aberdeen at the weekend and Norfolk this weekend....where will he turn up next?  ;D

David
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 24, 2010, 09:31:28 PM
Quote
where will he turn up next?

Cambridge ???

Paddy I think Green Lantern has great markings, a very nice snowdrop indeed.

John/Martin no luck with pollen ....so far!  We live in hope.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 24, 2010, 10:07:09 PM
....where will he turn up next?  ;D

David

David - He may be in your garden right now.  How would we tell though?

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 24, 2010, 10:31:46 PM
Can anybody identify this double?or the 2nd flower. 3rd photo is my Modern Art from Cerney recently
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 24, 2010, 11:09:59 PM
....where will he turn up next?  ;D

David

David - He may be in your garden right now.  How would we tell though?

johnw

 ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 24, 2010, 11:17:11 PM
Managed to find an hour to spend in my own garden today  ::)

A few snaps:

1 - Walrus
2 - Mark Solomon
3 - Lady Elphinstone
4 - Trymlet from one source - curious to see if this expands as much in a weeks time
5 - Trymlet from another source....
6 - Trumps
7 - Elwesii (ex Jeremy Platt) lovely substance to the petals
8 - Another green marked from Greatorex woods (found by DQ, BE, RH and myself last year)

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 24, 2010, 11:25:01 PM
Paddy - I'm loving that 'Green Lantern'   8)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 24, 2010, 11:44:51 PM
The elwesii you found is excellent. I got another green tipped woronowii this week. Fingers crossed for 2011
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 25, 2010, 06:07:21 AM
Can anybody identify this double?...

See my reply here http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4902.15 .  I cannot tell if the flower is the same but my answer is.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Ian Y on February 25, 2010, 09:51:14 AM
Also, Ian, you give yourself away as a beginner - you don't need to photograph ALL the white stuff!

Ahh... now I see I was blinded by the white.

Now I realise that I will show you a few pictures from Brechin Castle.
Unfortunately the freezing conditions meant that all the special forms were lying flat frozen to the ground.

However the sun had reached a few areas where it was mostly Galanthus nivalis clumps which still showed some variation. Lots of doubles from simple mutations to complete tidy doubles.
I liked the ones with the longer petals.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: art600 on February 25, 2010, 10:01:07 AM
John
The snowdrops are obviously benefitting from your walled garden  - a lot are ahead of mine.  Looking good
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Mavers on February 25, 2010, 10:57:16 AM
Green Lantern is beautiful Paddy!

And I like your 'Foundling' very much John.

Thanks for posting so many hi quality photos.

Mike
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: WimB on February 25, 2010, 11:02:25 AM
Some that are flowering here now:

Galanthus 'Brenda Troyle'
Galanthus 'Lavinia'
Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno'
Galanthus 'Dionysus'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Melvyn Jope on February 25, 2010, 01:52:29 PM
I think having a yellow ovary turns this potfull of Galanthus elwesii into something quite striking. The original plant was from the garden of a large house that was connected with Kelways in Somerset.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 25, 2010, 01:58:09 PM
I think having a yellow ovary turns this potfull of Galanthus elwesii into something quite striking. The original plant was from the garden of a large house that was connected with Kelways in Somerset.

Very nice, Melvyn. And a shapely flower too.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 25, 2010, 02:05:05 PM
Very nice, Melvyn. And a shapely flower too.
  I agree word for word.   8)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 25, 2010, 03:44:18 PM
It's good to see one with a lighter yellow colouring too.  Very nice Melvyn, thanks for showing us.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 25, 2010, 03:55:51 PM
There has been a wealth of excellent snowdrops shown in the last 24 hours. John's 'Mark Solomon' and his foundling are both beautiful. Melvyn's yellow ovaried elwesiis are very interesting. Brechin Castle seems to be home to a great selection of variations. Brian has his 'Ecusson d'Or'. All in all a very interesting set of posting.

Brian, John and Mike - your comments of 'Green Lantern' are noted. It has proved, most importantly, a very good grower in the garden of its origin and also for anyone who has been given a bulb, so there is great hope that it will multiply and I can pass it around within a very short few years.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 25, 2010, 04:28:04 PM
Quote
There has been a wealth of excellent snowdrops shown in the last 24 hours

It may be that, at long last, the galanthus season is beginning for us Paddy.  I was speaking to a friend yesterday and she said she looked out of the window and it was a sea of white.  Last time I went to see her there were only a few snowdrops dotted about.  Hopefully the season won't be cut off too short :D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 25, 2010, 04:32:37 PM
a few more from the mud bath  :(

garden find, nothing special but looks very nice as a clump.
Bill Bishop, hadn't noticed they were so neatly lined up until i took the photo
Wasp, very kind gift from a group last year, one last year so pleased it is increasing.
Flore Pleno, sums up our season this year, soggy.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 25, 2010, 05:21:36 PM
an excellent double seedling
elwesii Mary O'Brien - I've had a wait a few days to get the time to force the flower open
elwesii Ruby Baker - I've had a wait a few days to get the time to force the flower open
plicatus with pale ovary
plicatus - excellent leaves
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 25, 2010, 05:23:55 PM
elwesii monostictus with excellent leaves
plicatus seedling with extremely thick outers
hybrid not named
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 25, 2010, 06:08:56 PM
A very interesting selection, Mark. Are these from Primrose Hill?

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 25, 2010, 06:17:47 PM
Mark, I assume the markings on the opened flower of Ruby Baker are not typical for that variety. As I recall, the markings were more of a normal gracilis/elwesii type.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 25, 2010, 06:22:22 PM
Mark, I assume the markings on the opened flower of Ruby Baker are not typical for that variety. As I recall, the markings were more of a normal gracilis/elwesii type.

It certainly looks a very odd mark,  unbalanced.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 25, 2010, 06:26:46 PM
yes unfortunately the Ruby Baker I came home with had 3 missing marks
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 25, 2010, 07:42:00 PM
Mark, I assume the markings on the opened flower of Ruby Baker are not typical for that variety. As I recall, the markings were more of a normal gracilis/elwesii type.

Martin - you have a good memory - David Quinton & John Finch posted photo's of 'Ruby Baker' on the Forum last year

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2778.0;attach=96483;image

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2778.0;attach=96465;image
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 25, 2010, 07:51:58 PM
Yes, it certainly is a nice one, Chris.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 25, 2010, 09:09:18 PM
The rain stopped for an hour , so here are a few pics from the garden.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 25, 2010, 09:32:19 PM
All looking very well, Steve. It's amazing how quickly the snowdrops respond to a respite in the weather and a day or two of milder weather has them sprouting out of the ground.

Recently, there was some comment on scent in snowdrops. Today I took in a bunch, 30 - 40, of G. 'S. Arnott'. Now, in the garden, I had never taken note of any strong scent from 'S. Arnott' but, in the warmth of the house, there is a beautiful scent from them, really lovely. I must take in other bunches to see how they are indoors.

Finally, the last of the photographs I took of snowdrops in the garden a few days ago.

Paddy

G. 'Lady Elphinstone'
G. 'Lavinia'
G. 'Liam Schofield'
G. 'Neill Frazer'
G. 'Percy Picton'
G. 'Sickle'
G. 'Viridipice'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Mavers on February 26, 2010, 08:46:33 AM
Hi Mark your Double Seedling is indeed excellent!

Is this a chance seedling or the results of a cross you have made?

Mike
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 26, 2010, 09:22:20 AM
Mark

If your double seedling is stable and a decent grower, it looks sufficiently distinctive to be worth a name.

Steve
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 26, 2010, 10:15:07 AM
Two snowdrop curiosities:

The first I accidentally decapitated whilst digging up from between some tree roots, so brought inside whilst still in tight bud.  The flower opened then the outers completely reflexed.  It never did this outdoors but then it wasn't so warm outdoors.

The second I found in the wild with the flower stem snapped off, so I took that away and tried to make a note of where the bulb lives so I can visit it again next year.  Only two of the three outers had this central green stripe but it was a young plant, probably flowering this year for the first time.  
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: galanthophile on February 26, 2010, 10:59:33 AM
All of my snowdrops are up but none of them have had good enough weather conditions to open up so they are still in tight bud formation. However today my frogs have appeared in my pond (it was frozen until 2 days ago) so there is hope yet.. Pouring with rain at the moment though.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 26, 2010, 11:17:09 AM
...Pouring with rain at the moment though.

So good weather for the frogs!  It must be frustrating reading about everybody else's snowdrops whilst waiting for yours to appear.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 26, 2010, 11:47:08 AM
Quote
frogs!

I haven't seen a frog in ten years.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johngennard on February 26, 2010, 12:17:46 PM
I haven't posted any drops before but I took these photos yesterday while photographing the crocus and thought you might like to see them.

galanthus gracilis 004
galanthus gracilis 'Highdown'
galanthus Comet
galanthus Cowhousegreen
galanthus Godfrey Owen
galanthus Magnet
galanthus Primrose Warburg
galanthus Richard Ayres
galanthus Southhayes
galanthus Spindlestone Surprise
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johngennard on February 26, 2010, 12:21:44 PM
and the rest

galanthus Tubby Merlin
galanthus Wendy's Gold
galanthus White Swan
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 26, 2010, 12:29:44 PM
John,I am interested in your labels,is that dymo tape stuck on a plastic label?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 26, 2010, 12:46:10 PM
Some very good clumps of drops there, John. Have you been busy chipping, or is it all natural increase?

The pic of Tubby Merlin doesn't look right, though. The flower shape isn't right for Tubby Merlin, and Tubby Merlin has a paler yellowish-green ovary. Your pic looks more like Mighty Atom or maybe Bertram Anderson, one of that sort of group - a pic of the mark would help decide which. I'd double-check the label.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johngennard on February 26, 2010, 04:46:39 PM
John,I am interested in your labels,is that dymo tape stuck on a plastic label?
I stopped using dymo and plastic several years ago now in favour of the Brother electronic labelling machine combined with aluminium strips as illustrated.It is much quicker and more importantly far more durable.The aluminium bends rather than snaps.I get the aluminium cut into strips approx.17mm. x 200mm which affords a good portion in the ground and I use black tape exclusively for the snowdrops.

I can thoroughly reccomend the Brother machine and its tape.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 26, 2010, 05:03:40 PM
Thanks John, I will check it out.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johngennard on February 26, 2010, 05:22:19 PM
Martin ,I have checked the label and it confirms Tubby Merlin bought from John Morley in 1998.However,I do not consider myself to be a galanthophile but more a collector and I have never delved into the minutae so I am willing to bow to your doubts so I have coaxed a flower into opening for your expert inspection.
I have only ever chipped once and that was back in 1996 but all of the ones shown have increased by natural multiplication and my own division.I did have very good results from my chipping of six vars.but have never got round to it since.
I look forward to your further observations.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 26, 2010, 05:23:33 PM
I use 8 inch / 20cm black labels with words written with a 1mm white paint marker. They have lasted about 6 8 years so far. I would never have thought I made my raised beds in 2002. Time flies!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 26, 2010, 05:55:14 PM
All of my snowdrops are up but none of them have had good enough weather conditions to open up so they are still in tight bud formation. However today my frogs have appeared in my pond (it was frozen until 2 days ago) so there is hope yet.. Pouring with rain at the moment though.

Funny.  We saw a frog heading for the pond in a garden this afternoon too.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 26, 2010, 06:12:45 PM
John, thanks for the photo showing the mark. As I thought, not Tubby Merlin, which has a green mark up the entire length of the inner segments, not a V-shaped mark as in your photo. Difficult to be 100% sure from a photo, and always better to see the plant in the flesh for an ID, but it looks to me like it could me Mighty Atom, which is what I thought from the flower shape. The mark stains up a little from the middle, but that can happen. I'd suggest labelling it "Might Atom?" until you can  get a more positive ID or manage to compare it with  known Mighty Atom. The other possibility is Bertram Anderson, but it looks more like Atom to me. Sorry O can't be more definite.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 26, 2010, 07:09:08 PM
John, Lovely group of Primrose Warburg and Spindlestone surprise + Wendy`s Gold, if you have any spare for sale, please let me know. Jim.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johngennard on February 26, 2010, 07:11:12 PM
I have Bertram Anderson and that is taller than this one.I think that Mighty Atom might be right as I did have that in the same area and as you can see by the previous photo.I do have a redundant label for Mighty Atom.Thanks for your observations.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 26, 2010, 07:29:15 PM
John.

It is a delight to see your very healthy and thriving clumps of snowdrops. Many thanks for posting.

Following on the discussion between yourself and Anthony I am posting a photograph of G. 'Tubby Merlin' below for your information. This was taken two years ago. I have not taken a photograph of this one this year.

And a 'Mighty Atom' for comparison.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johngennard on February 26, 2010, 07:41:03 PM
Thanks for that Paddy,it would seem to confirm Martin's opinion so I must now seek out Tubby Merlin.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: jnovis on February 26, 2010, 07:47:10 PM
I also use the Brother labelling system. It was on offer at Lidl`s for Ł12.99. no complaints yet.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 26, 2010, 07:47:57 PM
Thanks for that Paddy,it would seem to confirm Martin's opinion so I must now seek out Tubby Merlin.

In your garden or elsewhere?

If elsewhere, I'm sure I could spare one.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 26, 2010, 07:52:37 PM
Re labels: I use "Alitags" which hold pencil writing very well  but, in a belt and braces sort of way, I etch the names onto the aluminium labels, then attach them to 30 cm of heavy galvanised wire which, pushed right down into the ground, will not be lifted by blackbirds or anything else.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johngennard on February 26, 2010, 08:54:00 PM
Thanks a lot Paddy.I meant in the garden but if thats not the case then I will be in touch.Thanks once again.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 26, 2010, 09:20:29 PM
A quick photograph from the garden this evening before the light faded. It is Rosemary Burnham. This is the first year it has flowered for me. I know that it can be a difficult variety to keep going but at least now I have a permanent memory of it.

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 26, 2010, 10:00:46 PM
Oh, good for you, David.

It's a beautiful plant, lovely markings. Well done on getting it to flower and hopefully it will thrive for you. Despite its reputation of being of fickle habit in the garden we have seen a few good clumps both posted here and in some gardens. I have a non-flowering bulb at present and live in hope for future years.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 26, 2010, 10:10:15 PM
Well done David!  And a great shot.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 26, 2010, 11:14:08 PM
A snowdrop to die for?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 26, 2010, 11:21:28 PM
Thanks for the encouraging comments Paddy and John.

A snowdrop to die for?

It certainly is one of my favourites and every time I see it in flower I have to photograph it. I just hope that it flourishes with me so that I won't have too far to go to get a photo in the future.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 27, 2010, 02:24:13 AM
David -  Have you seen Rosemary Burnham offered by many nurseries in the UK?  I have seen a few postings of show plants but yours is the first I recall growing in a forumist's garden.  We saw it in Helen Dillon's garden and John Grimshaw's last year.  It's hard to believe Pam Frost and I sent it over that way 15 years ago on several ocassions and it still is a rarity.  

I trust yours will be successful.

It may be timely to post a picture of the late Rosemary Burnham, the famous lady herself. So lucky for us that she spotted this one.

I just received the Slovenian book on G. nivalis and hope that someone will, one day, cross one of those great green nivalis selections with 'Rosemary Burnham'.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 27, 2010, 06:58:53 AM
Thanks DQ for the perfect picture of Rosemary Burnham - a really great shot that shows her perfectly - it really is one of the best looking greens.   I remember now why she has been on a wants list for so long.

And thanks to JW for the picture of the lady herself.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 27, 2010, 08:33:17 AM
that really is beautiful....
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 27, 2010, 08:49:43 AM
David -  Have you seen Rosemary Burnham offered by many nurseries in the Uk.  I have seen a few posting of show plants but yours is the first I recall growing in a forumist's garden.    

John W, I have seen the plant listed by only one supplier and was fortunate enough to get one last year. By the time it arrived it had gone over and was looking very sorry for itself. Fortunately it has hung on and flowered this year. It is nice to finally put a face to the name. I hope that the plant does her memory justice.

Thanks DQ for the perfect picture of Rosemary Burnham - a really great shot that shows her perfectly - it really is one of the best looking greens.   I remember now why she has been on a wants list for so long.

And thanks to JW for the picture of the lady herself.

John, There are a number of nice looking greens just coming on to the market but this is my favourite.....so far. It may not have the best constitution but it certainly has the wow factor. I hope that you reach the top of that waiting list soon!  :) Enjoy your garden visit and I trust that the weather won't spoil the day.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 10:16:00 AM
John can you tell us more about the Slovenian snowdrop book?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 27, 2010, 11:18:41 AM
dodging showers this morning, shame to be closing this weekend as the drifts are just about at their best at the mo.

soggy looking Comet
Wendy's Gold
Sharlockii
3 views of nivalis on the snowdrop walk
3 views of the moat
Summer House
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 11:52:32 AM
Most places are looking their best now because of the late season. My garden is looking great now

Anyone getting soft flowered snowdrops? Lots of mine crumple when I squeeze them to look inside
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 27, 2010, 12:15:49 PM
Richard,

The little fleck of yellow from the aconites through the drifts is great to set off the white of the snowdrops. I have seen blue crocus planted with snowdrops giving a good effect also.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 27, 2010, 01:43:31 PM
John can you tell us more about the Slovenian snowdrop book?

Mark

It's Jože Bavcon's book, The Common Snowdrop and its Diversity in Slovenia as reviewed in one of the last two Daff, Snowdrop Yearbooks.  There are photos of  a dizzying number of interesting selections many if not most of which have been named, probably a huge mistake as some are similar to ones already in the trade and others mere curiosities. Still it is a testament to the diversity to be found in but one country.

Oh, as Brian E. pointed out to me, the first half is in Slovenian, the, the photos and then a English translation.

http://www.bgci.org/barcelona04/abstracts/pdf_posters/Bavcon.pdf

Or you can go to the University's website, where you can order it:  

doc. dr. Jože Bavcon   (joze.bavcon@guest.arnes.si)
vodja botaničnega vrta
Ižanska cesta 15
1000 Ljubljana
tel: 0038614271280
http://www.botanicni-vrt.si/

It was 15 Euros (17.78 Euros including post).

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 27, 2010, 01:47:39 PM
Richard,

The little fleck of yellow from the aconites through the drifts is great to set off the white of the snowdrops. I have seen blue crocus planted with snowdrops giving a good effect also.

Paddy

they're a perfect combination, and unlike something things that go well with drops are always in flower at the same time, the crocus are just starting to open.

few more from a quick zip round at lunchtime.

Diggory
Bitton
Bertram Anderson
Upcher
Blewbury Tart
Seagull
Blonde Inge
3 Garden finds
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: chasw on February 27, 2010, 02:44:00 PM
Well I managed to finally get out into the garden to take some pictures,now that all the snow has gone,and sat down to post and we now have really heavy rain

 Madelaine
Blewberry Tart
Sally Pasmore
Cedrics Prolific
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 27, 2010, 04:19:37 PM
Find 5 looks a good one, Richard.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 05:13:50 PM
Lovely day here today - 11c- but a slight breeze.

These four snowdrop photos show Atkinsii, Atkinsii Moccas form, Lyn and Silverwells. I forgot to photograph Limetree. Which is which? Not easy if impossible
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 27, 2010, 05:22:17 PM
Find 5 looks a good one, Richard.

Paddy

to be honest, I don't really like it, though of all of them planted where that is growing it gets the most comments.

Mark, all the same but from different angles?  ;)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 27, 2010, 06:22:18 PM
Lovely day here today - 11c- but a slight breeze.

here's a competition. These four snowdrop photos show Atkinsii, Atkinsii Moccas form, Lyn and Silverwells. I forgot to photograph Limetree. Which is which?
Mark
          You seriously need to get out more.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 06:34:31 PM
Pat I was jsimply showing how these cultivars look alike
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 27, 2010, 06:49:38 PM
Pat I was jsimply showing how these cultivars look alike
Hi Mark
           Just winding you up mate. I have the greatest respect for your knowledge of Galanthus and you have a super collection and I always read your posts. I have only been growing Galanthus seriously for a short time and made up my mind to stick to things that you can recognise without a label but I admit it is not easy. One thing I have learned in that short space of time is that there are way too many named cultivars and the joint rock don't help by handing out pcs and ams for very average plants. I really think it is up to the serious Galanthus growers to put a stop to this as they are being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world if you get my point. As soon as a plant is given an award it is on ebay for silly money, this is not the way forward  is it Mark. What are your views. Pat.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 06:54:59 PM
Galanthus = Saxifraga in the alpine world ::)

I'm always telling people to buy only what they can ID. I'm going to put all my Atkinsii lookalikes in one group - if I remember.

Editing todays photos just now
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 27, 2010, 07:13:06 PM
Find 5 looks a good one, Richard.

Paddy

To me as well Paddy.  I have a fondess for these little globe-like ones.

We have just survived a very powerful storm that gave winds of almost 90 km/hr, the storm in its full fury lasted more than 24 hours unabated.  Certainly the longest in memory.  One of the office walls blew off and just missed the cars about the lot.  Had it been snow instead of rain this would have been the mother of all blizzards - witness what happened in NYC and Philadelphia.  Nearly 8" of rain fell in parts of Maine, maybe half that here. Needless to say the snow is mostly gone but another nor'easter is headed our way hot on its heels.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 27, 2010, 07:52:40 PM
A quick photograph from the garden this evening before the light faded. It is Rosemary Burnham. This is the first year it has flowered for me. I know that it can be a difficult variety to keep going but at least now I have a permanent memory of it.


David and other posters

Nice pic of Ms Burnham. I was also fortunate to obtain it last year. There are a small number of wonderful virescent (as distinct from greentipped) varieties that provide succession flowering in my garden; in order
Rosemary Burnham and Moyas Green the earliest two
then Margaret Biddulph
Virescens
and finally Rushmere Green. Both these latter varieties yet to show the flowering scape.

I have seen good clumps of all the above in different gardens, with the exception of Rushmere Green which iI assume is still very scarce and maybe no-one has had the chance to develop a good-sized clump.

Meanwhile we await Green Tear becoming more widely available to see where that fits in the sequence.

Speaking of clumps, I have seen (either in gardens or in posted pics on SRGC really good healthy clumps of several of the well-known yellow varieties; Primrose W, Spindlestone S, Wendy's, Sandersii, etc; but I haven't been able to find anyone growing a decent clump of Savills Gold. I have just one plant clinging to life. Does anyone grow it well or seen it grown well? Is it an acid-lover? I dare not experiment with just one plant!

Steve
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 07:56:28 PM
didnt someone say on the forum this week that yellows want acid soil or was that to get better yellow flowers
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 27, 2010, 08:12:30 PM
I haven't been able to find anyone growing a decent clump of Savills Gold. I have just one plant clinging to life. Does anyone grow it well or seen it grown well? Is it an acid-lover? I dare not experiment with just one plant!

Steve

Steve - I have been growing 'Savill Gold' since 2005 - it seems to increase quite well - I do not give it any special treatment, growing it in my normal mix - I grow it in an area that is under the canopy of both a Holm Oak tree & a Horse Chestnut tree, so I guess that it never gets too wet and in the winter it gets a reasonable amount of light because the Horse Chestnut is bare.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 27, 2010, 08:13:29 PM
I wonder what John Richards says about them in the New Plantsman?

I'm afraid I don't subscribe but Mark can report.


Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 27, 2010, 08:23:00 PM

then Margaret Biddulph


Speaking of which my one bulb newly planted in a pot sits unsprouted. Might there be hope or should I de-pot and examine?

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 27, 2010, 08:25:36 PM
didnt someone say on the forum this week that yellows want acid soil or was that to get better yellow flowers

Be careful - whilst nivalis seem to like a more acid soil (although, intriguingly, 'Ecusson d'Or' was found by Mark Brown on a dryish chalk bank) - this is not the case with other yellows!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 27, 2010, 08:29:43 PM
didnt someone say on the forum this week that yellows want acid soil or was that to get better yellow flowers

It's pretty chalky round here so the yellows from nearby Wandlebury Ring (Wendy's Gold, Bill Clark & Wandlebury Ring) probably don't benefit from acid soil.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 27, 2010, 08:36:08 PM

then Margaret Biddulph


Speaking of which my one bulb newly planted in a pot sits unsprouted. Might there be hope or should I de-pot and examine?

johnw

John - are you saying that nothing, not even a leaf, has emerged - if this is the case then, if it was me, I would de-pot it - you are likely to find that either the bulb has disappeared or that it has a problem (e.g. stagno) which you might be able to do something about, if you investigate now.

If perchance the bulb is still okay, but just extremely slow in emerging then I would replant it, making sure that there were no air gaps around the roots (I do this by putting a small mound of grit sand in the pot and spreading any roots over this & then adding further grit sand until the roots are covered and then backfill the pot with normal mix).
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 27, 2010, 08:45:27 PM

then Margaret Biddulph


Speaking of which my one bulb newly planted in a pot sits unsprouted. Might there be hope or should I de-pot and examine?

johnw

John, mine too. No leaves above soil but there was a shoot extending towards the surface 2 weeks ago but as this should be in flower now I suspect that there is a problem. The shoot still hasn't emerged yet. I'll probably have a look again and check the bulb this time but I didn't want to disturb it too much as I know that it can be a little tricky and didn't want to give it an excuse to snuff it. Let me know what you decide to do and if you find anything.

David

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 08:47:46 PM
Paddy the snowdrop article in the Plantsman is about inheritance of yellow and comparing chlorophyll A and B inside the plants

A few people have contacted me about the lack of posts from me. Nothing is wrong, I'm well and just lying low but watching.

Galanthus caucasicus - true form?
G. elwesii lost label, short mid/late season
G. elwesii ex Altamont
G. Green Pip - very short and cute
G. nivalis ?Melvillei
G. Modern Art
G. nivalis Dreycott Green Tip
G. nivalis Mini Me
G. nivalis miniature green tipped - over exposed making green tips invisible
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 08:53:23 PM
G. nivalis Sandersii Group
G. nivalis Tiny Tim
G. nivalis Warei
G. plicatus Wandlebury Group
G. Primrose Warburg
G. rizehensis
G. woronowii green tipped ex Russian - so the label says
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 27, 2010, 09:35:34 PM
I really think it is up to the serious Galanthus growers to put a stop to this as they are being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world if you get my point. As soon as a plant is given an award it is on ebay for silly money, this is not the way forward  is it Mark. What are your views. Pat.

Pat I think you may be preaching to the converted, most of the people on the forum know where to get the plants and generally wouldn't be buying on ebay and paying silly prices.  As to being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world, I'm glad I'm not one of them, the nice thing about our forum is that most of us have a sense of humour.  ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 27, 2010, 09:50:35 PM
I really think it is up to the serious Galanthus growers to put a stop to this as they are being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world if you get my point. As soon as a plant is given an award it is on ebay for silly money, this is not the way forward  is it Mark. What are your views. Pat.

Pat I think you may be preaching to the converted, most of the people on the forum know where to get the plants and generally wouldn't be buying on ebay and paying silly prices.  As to being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world, I'm glad I'm not one of them, the nice thing about our forum is that most of us have a sense of humour.  ;D
Hello Brian
              Yes I too have a sense of humour, is it true there are over 600 named galanthus, if so that is funny and I like the damn things. Pat.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 27, 2010, 10:21:52 PM
Well Pat as long as it doesn't get like Narcissus, have you seen the size of that catalogue of names (time to duck again 8) ). 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 27, 2010, 10:28:49 PM
Paddy the snowdrop article in the Plantsman is about inheritance of yellow and comparing chlorophyll A and B inside the plants

I thought it might have some relevance to the discussion above but obviously not, pity.

'Mini Me' is a delightful little thing though, I imagine, it would be lost in the garden.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 10:37:46 PM
Joint Rock needs someone like Rod Leeds, John Grimshaw, Matt Bishop or Joe Sharman on the committee to weed out ordinary snowdrops
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 27, 2010, 10:38:51 PM
Paddy, Mini Me is in a trough.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 27, 2010, 10:51:20 PM
Joint Rock needs someone like Rod Leeds, John Grimshaw, Matt Bishop or Joe Sharman on the committee to weed out ordinary snowdrops


Mark, Rod Leeds is one of the Chairman of Joint Rock for the AGS!

Committee for 2010:
Chair: Dr C Grey-Wilson
Vice-Chair: R J A Leeds, Prof A J Richards, A Leven
RHS Representatives
J Almond, Dr W J Baker, Mrs J Bishop, P Cunnington, Capt. P J Erskine RN, T Hall,
D Haselgrove, J Jermyn, Mrs V Lee, Dr M Sheader, E M Upward, Mrs R Wallis
Alpine Garden Society Representatives
C D Brickell, B Burrow, R Drew, A R Furness, Dr J E G Good,
Dr K Lever, B Mathew, D Peace, Mrs M F Randall, R Rolfe,
Scottish Rock Garden Club Representatives
Dr I Bainbridge, Ms S Band, Mrs A Chambers, I Christie, F Hunt, Ms E MacKintosh,
Dr D Millward, J M M Mitchell, Prof D Rankin, Prof P Semple, J I Young
Secretary: James Armitage
AGS Hon Secretary: Jim McGregor. SRGC Hon Secretary: Dr C Bainbridge
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 27, 2010, 11:02:40 PM
As we saw from some photos of award plants from the show at the RHS halls in London last week, there does seem to be a more lax attitude to giving awards in the south.... in Scotland it is not easy to get any award..... :-X
Also, the awards are not meant to be given for the plant just being different to look at, but for general vigour, robust health and likely ease of propagation for spread of the plant in cultivation.
Most awards are given to a "plant for exhibition".... further trials are usually called for for the Award of Gardne Merit, of course.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 27, 2010, 11:25:24 PM
is it true there are over 600 named galanthus, if so that is funny and I like the damn things. Pat.

From what I've heard, it's more like 1,500 named snowdrops - a great, great many of them no doubt not worthy of being named.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 27, 2010, 11:39:03 PM
Chris /  David

I dug up Mary Biddulph.  The main bulb had rot around the neck but the bulb itself is firm. There is a very small offset under the tunic with no roots and it has a tiny shoot poking out about 1/16".  I suspect the main bulb neck had stag that was curtailed by benomyl.  No sign of rot on the main basal plate but also no sign of roots on the main bulb either.  I have re-soaked the bulb and will plant in a fresh mix to avoid possible contamination.  The offset is too tiny to remove.

Now how to treat it from now until next autumn is the question?  Damp, barely damp under the bulb or dry.

johnw  
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 27, 2010, 11:42:39 PM
is it true there are over 600 named galanthus, if so that is funny and I like the damn things. Pat.

From what I've heard, it's more like 1,500 named snowdrops - a great, great many of them no doubt not worthy of being named.

But the point is, I can walk down to the woods, pick a 'wild' snowdrop at random and call it "Fred", and that would be another named snowdrop.  So what?  It doesn't mean that the snowdrop called Fred has any intrinsic merit (except in my eyes) and it doesn't mean anybody else would want it.  In a way the ridiculously large number of named snowdrops is a good thing because it makes it impossible to "collect the set" so one is forced to discriminate.  Only a few people suffer, mainly those few people who are trying to write a book about them all!   
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 27, 2010, 11:48:44 PM
....Now how to treat it from now until next autumn is the question?  Damp, barely damp under the bulb or dry.

I have seen snowdrop bulbs (often newly formed offsets) that 'take a year off' without producing any visible growth yet appear as normal the following year.  So my feeling is that there is no reason to vary your normal growing conditions.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 27, 2010, 11:52:51 PM
Paddy, Mini Me is in a trough.

And it is an utter delight.  What a superb little trough plant.

johnw

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 27, 2010, 11:57:29 PM
....Now how to treat it from now until next autumn is the question?  Damp, barely damp under the bulb or dry.

I have seen snowdrop bulbs (often newly formed offsets) that 'take a year off' without producing any visible growth yet appear as normal the following year.  So my feeling is that there is no reason to vary your normal growing conditions.

Alan - Don't you think with no roots at all I should keep the bulb out of the general watering regime and with just enough moisture to prevent shrinking (between now and September)? I also thought about re-lifting and severing that tiny offset in August if I can do that without damaging it, it may not come off with its own basal plate.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 28, 2010, 12:19:27 AM
Now how to treat it from now until next autumn is the question?  Damp, barely damp under the bulb or dry.
johnw  

John, when this sort of thing happens with me, I pot in a very gritty compost, with the top half of the bulb exposed, then I can see that the bulb is staying plump and healthy. I'd water sparingly, just keeping the compost moist enough to stop the bulb dessicating, and adding fungicide to the water if available. I would keep lifting the half-exposed bulb out to check the base is still okay, and to give it some air if it's not rooting. When the time comes for snowdrop leaves to die down, I'd transfer the bulb to a bag or pot of bone-dry compost or composted bark, or some dry vermiculite, and keep it dry for the summer, replanting or repotting in late summer as normal.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 28, 2010, 12:48:11 AM
My Mary Biddulph is on the way out also.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 28, 2010, 08:11:44 AM
Alan - Don't you think with no roots at all I should keep the bulb out of the general watering regime and with just enough moisture to prevent shrinking (between now and September)? I also thought about re-lifting and severing that tiny offset in August if I can do that without damaging it, it may not come off with its own basal plate.

johnw

I should clarify that:

This probably isn't too far off Martin's moist then dry in summer recommendation.

 

[/list]
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 28, 2010, 09:29:15 AM
is it true there are over 600 named galanthus, if so that is funny and I like the damn things. Pat.

From what I've heard, it's more like 1,500 named snowdrops - a great, great many of them no doubt not worthy of being named.

But the point is, I can walk down to the woods, pick a 'wild' snowdrop at random and call it "Fred", and that would be another named snowdrop.  So what?  It doesn't mean that the snowdrop called Fred has any intrinsic merit (except in my eyes) and it doesn't mean anybody else would want it.  In a way the ridiculously large number of named snowdrops is a good thing because it makes it impossible to "collect the set" so one is forced to discriminate.  Only a few people suffer, mainly those few people who are trying to write a book about them all!   

I did not realise there were quite that many. What beginners like me need is a little help from the group of experts on here whos collective knowledge is vast. Because it is such a minefield how about you guys posting a few pictures of some of your favourite plants that are really distinct and telling us novices why you would not want to be without it. Try to stick to things that are not too hard to get hold of as I realise the new and rare stuff gets passed around among the top growers for a few years before it becomes widely available and rightly so. I would be interested how many of my 40 or so if any turn up on your lists as I have tried to be really selective. I am glad a few people agree that the naming of galanthus has become a little silly but I doubt anything will change. What I find hard to accept is that as soon as a plant is named its value doubles, give it a pc or an am and you can double it again and it seems galanthus get more awards from the joint rock than a lot of other plants maybe I am wrong.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 28, 2010, 09:49:09 AM
What beginners like me need is a little help from the group of experts on here whos collective knowledge is vast. Because it is such a minefield how about you guys posting a few pictures of some of your favourite plants that are really distinct and telling us novices why you would not want to be without it. Try to stick to things that are not too hard to get hold of as I realise the new and rare stuff gets passed around among the top growers for a few years before it becomes widely available and rightly so.

Try this thread for a start.

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2756.0 

If you do some searches on SRGC you should find other such lists if I am remembering correctly.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 28, 2010, 09:59:31 AM
What beginners like me need is a little help from the group of experts on here whos collective knowledge is vast. Because it is such a minefield how about you guys posting a few pictures of some of your favourite plants that are really distinct and telling us novices why you would not want to be without it. Try to stick to things that are not too hard to get hold of as I realise the new and rare stuff gets passed around among the top growers for a few years before it becomes widely available and rightly so.

Try this thread for a start.

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2756.0

Thanks John for the link, I have around 30% of the top 20 so I must be doing something right.

If you do some searches on SRGC you should find other such lists if I am remembering correctly.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 28, 2010, 10:03:27 AM
............What I find hard to accept is that as soon as a plant is named its value doubles, give it a pc or an am and you can double it again and it seems galanthus get more awards from the joint rock than a lot of other plants maybe I am wrong.

In order to distribute a plant, be it selling or giving it away, you really ought to give it some sort of designation because it may get passed on again and if it hasn't got a name it becomes very difficult to trace the plant back to its point of origin.  So a plant needs a name in order to be sold, thus when you name a plant its value goes up from zero to something.  That an infinite-fold increase in value, not just doubling!  I actually think people who collect snowdrops pay very little attention to awards.  An award may give the snowdrop a little extra kudos but I don't think it does anything for the price.

The best way to decide what snowdops you like is to visit some gardens where they are growing; there is still time this year.  Find some that catch your eye, if possible talk to the garden owner about how rare (and therefore pricey) they are and how easy they are to grow.

For gardens to visit, try http://www.ngs.org.uk/news-features/press-releases/winter-openings-for-2010.aspx    
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 28, 2010, 11:02:39 AM
Quote
The best way to decide what snowdops you like is to visit some gardens where they are growing; there is still time this year.  Find some that catch your eye, if possible talk to the garden owner about how rare (and therefore pricey) they are and how easy they are to grow.

An excellent piece of advice Alan, well said.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 28, 2010, 11:13:22 AM
I dont think anyone has mentioned this article in the Guardian on snowdrops
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: cycnich on February 28, 2010, 11:27:28 AM
Quote
The best way to decide what snowdops you like is to visit some gardens where they are growing; there is still time this year.  Find some that catch your eye, if possible talk to the garden owner about how rare (and therefore pricey) they are and how easy they are to grow.

An excellent piece of advice Alan, well said.
Good advice but work and family committments prevent me from doing this, so I am relying on sites like this for information
I dont think anyone has mentioned this article in the Guardian on snowdrops
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards)

A useful link thank you.

Quote
some pics from me this year, yesterday was the only good day for taking as its been raining most days!
Thank you Rob this is exactly the sort of thing beginners like me need
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 28, 2010, 11:28:48 AM
Some superb photographs there Rob.  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Gail on February 28, 2010, 11:42:54 AM
The Telegraph yesterday did a feature on snowdrops at Hanham Court, Bristol where they display snowdrops in an auricula theatre.  Link to the article here (Hanham Court is open today if anyone is in the area) but sadly they don't show the lovely pic of the display itself.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/7317053/Snowdrops-the-stage-is-set.html
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 28, 2010, 12:34:22 PM
I dont think anyone has mentioned this article in the Guardian on snowdrops
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards)

The Daily Mail Weekend Magazine were thinking of doing a similar sort of feature about the snowdrop collecting scene and about my novel, The Snowdrop Garden, which I was advising them on, but their publication schedules meant that they ended up not being able to plan it into the magazine until March 6, which  they felt was getting a bit late in the season. Given the lateness of the season, I thought a lot of snowdrops would still be going strong, and that this very late season could be a good angle for the story, but it doesn't look like they'll do it now until next year.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 28, 2010, 12:36:20 PM
I dont think anyone has mentioned this article in the Guardian on snowdrops
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards)

you would think we dont exist  ::) our display of naturalised drops set around a Norman Castle & Moat is very impressive (ok I'm biased) and yet the press have almost always managed to us out in most of these articles, very frustrating.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 28, 2010, 12:47:07 PM
Quote
The best way to decide what snowdops you like is to visit some gardens where they are growing; there is still time this year.  Find some that catch your eye, if possible talk to the garden owner about how rare (and therefore pricey) they are and how easy they are to grow.

An excellent piece of advice Alan, well said.
Good advice but work and family committments prevent me from doing this, so I am relying on sites like this for information


I'm sorry you don't have the time Pat as I think this is the only way to decide what you really like.  Time and time again I see a snowdrop 'In the flesh' and realise that I do like it (when I didn't think much of a picture) or I don't (when the picture looked really interesting and the real thing was not).  You also don't get to see what they are like in a clump, which can also make a difference.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 28, 2010, 12:50:36 PM
I dont think anyone has mentioned this article in the Guardian on snowdrops
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards)

you would think we dont exist  ::) our display of naturalised drops set around a Norman Castle & Moat is very impressive (ok I'm biased) and yet the press have almost always managed to us out in most of these articles, very frustrating.

Perhaps you should consider Bennington Lordship (always mention the name Richard  ;D ) putting out a press release at the beginning of the season?
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 28, 2010, 01:01:35 PM
Nice set of pics Rob.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 28, 2010, 01:44:52 PM
I dont think anyone has mentioned this article in the Guardian on snowdrops
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards)

you would think we dont exist  ::) our display of naturalised drops set around a Norman Castle & Moat is very impressive (ok I'm biased) and yet the press have almost always managed to us out in most of these articles, very frustrating.

Perhaps you should consider Bennington Lordship (always mention the name Richard  ;D ) putting out a press release at the beginning of the season?

it's an ongoing issue, the owners have spent a lot of time & effort trying to us on the snowdrop map in the last few years, which did double our visitor numbers in 2008 but for some reason we don't seem to be quite there yet. We have been featured in numerous papers & magazines but whenever these lists appear at this time of year we rarely get a mention, I suspect the writers simply find previous articles and repeat what's there.

will be firing off a few more "angry from herts" emails in the morning.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 28, 2010, 03:14:00 PM
Now how to treat it from now until next autumn is the question?  Damp, barely damp under the bulb or dry.
johnw  

John, when this sort of thing happens with me, I pot in a very gritty compost, with the top half of the bulb exposed, then I can see that the bulb is staying plump and healthy. I'd water sparingly, just keeping the compost moist enough to stop the bulb dessicating, and adding fungicide to the water if available. I would keep lifting the half-exposed bulb out to check the base is still okay, and to give it some air if it's not rooting. When the time comes for snowdrop leaves to die down, I'd transfer the bulb to a bag or pot of bone-dry compost or composted bark, or some dry vermiculite, and keep it dry for the summer, replanting or repotting in late summer as normal.

Martin - This sounds good to me. I have planted it high with the suspicious neck exposed and will keep an eye on it and pray the offset at least survives.  Then I'll repot it in June and keep dry if all looks well.

Alan  - I suspect the rot or stag I have experienced is from pots not drying properly after leaf "fall".   How gingerly do you first water in early autumn?

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on February 28, 2010, 03:35:03 PM
Rob-  A great batch of photos.  Can you tell us more about St. Pancras?  Seems like a very fine form.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Tabitha on February 28, 2010, 04:59:59 PM
I dont think anyone has mentioned this article in the Guardian on snowdrops
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards)

you would think we dont exist  ::) our display of naturalised drops set around a Norman Castle & Moat is very impressive (ok I'm biased) and yet the press have almost always managed to us out in most of these articles, very frustrating.

If we lived nearer we would be there to see you again  Richard. We  very much enjoyed the visit a couple of years ago, unusual setting to see them at their best.  Several days of travelling there and back  it means and of course the motel costs too. 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Tabitha on February 28, 2010, 05:09:45 PM

Quote
robsorchids:
some pics from me this year, yesterday was the only good day for taking as its been raining most days!   

Lovely selection of photos Rob many of my favourite ones on there too.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 28, 2010, 06:51:24 PM
St Pancras:
Quote
Found in 1994 by Alan Street growing near its probable parents G.elwesii and G.nivalis 'Flore Pleno', at West Bagborough, Somerset, this clone is named after the local church.  It is a tall, robust plant with bold grey leaves, over which hang generous, heavy-looking rounded flowers with a proportionatelu large oblong to conical ovary.  The arrangement of the inner segments is regular except for three long stiffly clasping unmarked white segments that jut from the centre of the flower, a feature not otherwise known in doubles of this parentage.  The long outer segments have a long pronounced claw that is delicately goffered along its margin.  It is fairly late to flower.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 28, 2010, 10:21:27 PM
I posted a shot of G. 'Green Lantern' a few days ago but the  bright sunshine yesterday helped it open.

Paddy

G. 'Green Lantern'

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 28, 2010, 10:35:55 PM
Even better Paddy, cheers.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 28, 2010, 10:38:19 PM
It certainly is a good one, Brian, and, by all accounts, good to increase - an important feature in a snowdrop when a friend would like to have one!

Going through photographs from yesterday. Here is one of G. ikariae but the inner segment mark seems unusually light. Anyone seen this happen previously?

Also looking well in the sunshine was G. 'Kildare'.

Paddy


G. ikariae
G. 'Kildare'
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on March 01, 2010, 01:36:16 AM
St Pancras:
Quote
Found in 1994 by Alan Street growing near its probable parents G.elwesii and G.nivalis 'Flore Pleno', at West Bagborough, Somerset, this clone is named after the local church.  It is a tall, robust plant with bold grey leaves, over which hang generous, heavy-looking rounded flowers with a proportionatelu large oblong to conical ovary.  The arrangement of the inner segments is regular except for three long stiffly clasping unmarked white segments that jut from the centre of the flower, a feature not otherwise known in doubles of this parentage.  The long outer segments have a long pronounced claw that is delicately goffered along its margin.  It is fairly late to flower.

Thanks Brian.  So I guess not named after the station, eh? ;)

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: johnw on March 01, 2010, 01:40:06 AM
A lovely Irish pair Paddy - Kildare and Green Lantern.

johnw
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 01, 2010, 11:30:02 AM
A lovely Irish pair Paddy - Kildare and Green Lantern.

johnw

They certainly are two good ones, John. Fortunately, both seem to be good to bulk up. I received 'Kildare' two years ago and had two flowers this year and a few offsets as well. I even managed to part with one of the flowering bulbs to Altamont Gardens where the head gardener is building up a collection of Irish cultivars. We act as back-up one for the other.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Ragged Robin on March 01, 2010, 01:07:36 PM
A lovely Irish pair Paddy - Kildare and Green Lantern.

johnw

I totally agree...Green Lantern caught my eye before, a simply lovely snowdrop.
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 01, 2010, 01:31:44 PM
Why, Robin, we may have you growing snowdrops soon!

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Ragged Robin on March 01, 2010, 01:56:29 PM
Why, Robin, we may have you growing snowdrops soon!

Paddy
;D ;D ;D
I'm secretly learning!
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Regelian on March 01, 2010, 03:46:02 PM
Why, Robin, we may have you growing snowdrops soon!

Paddy
;D ;D ;D
I'm secretly learning!

Confession:  I purchased Wendy' Gold and Viridapice yesterday during the worst storm we've had in decades.  Do you think its too late to stop?

Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: KentGardener on March 01, 2010, 04:49:32 PM
Confession:  I purchased Wendy' Gold and Viridapice yesterday during the worst storm we've had in decades.  Do you think its too late to stop?

Not a chance   ;D   Sounds like you've caught 'the fever'. 
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on March 01, 2010, 06:19:37 PM
See how contagious it is ::)

Tee hee ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus February 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on March 01, 2010, 08:36:15 PM
May I have your attention, please? The Galanthus thread has moved on it time to March.... see that page! http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5090.new#new
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal