Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: KentGardener on February 16, 2010, 06:46:31 PM

Title: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 16, 2010, 06:46:31 PM
Hi All

Just back from a most enjoyable afternoon at the RHS halls in central London.  

Sorry - not a lot of time to write about the afternoon - but I did meet lots of lovely people - and saw lots of nice plants, and also met a good few forum members:  No group photo today (the thought did cross my mind..... but knowing how difficult it was getting everyone in one place at one time in a garden last Saturday I dismissed it as a non starter today  ::)).


(as I always find in the RHS halls it is really diffilcult to take any good pictures on my little snap and shoot camera as the light in there is not great).  Here are what seem the best pics of the 80 or so I took.

1 - Foxgrove snowdrops stand.
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2 - Alan Leslie's wonderful buttonhole (can you name the flowers?)
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3 - A stunning clump of the poculiform 'Gloria'
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4 - My sort of thing..... 'Fuzz'
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5 - (I think I remember this right) Flocon de Neige
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6 - 'Mordred' (I've been trying to get hold of one of these since 2008  -any offers?  :))
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7 - the 'design' aspect fo the meeting!  I would rather just have the plants!
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I shall show the Galanthus that were put before the joint rock in a separate post.




Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 16, 2010, 06:51:45 PM
I see Alan B and I can't remember the name of the lady in black
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 16, 2010, 06:52:00 PM
It's been a horrible wet snowy day here, so the thought of spending time indoors seeing flowers so prettily displayed OUT of the weather is most appealing!

The displays do look lovely.... a lot of those little white ones..... but what could you possibly see in "Fuzz"?? :P :-\  Poor deformed creature that it is.  
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 16, 2010, 06:54:52 PM
A few more from today's RHS Show;
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 16, 2010, 06:57:32 PM
And some more.....
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: emma T on February 16, 2010, 06:59:35 PM
i liked fuzz , halfway and trymmings on the avon bulb stand. It was a wonderful display. The sent when i first arrived in the hall was grand.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 16, 2010, 07:00:31 PM
and finally.......

The "not-Warei" is a nice un-named seedling on the Foxgrove stand.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 16, 2010, 07:15:55 PM
And some more.....
Steve - nice pics. Was 'Pom-pom' on the Avon Bulbs stand?
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 16, 2010, 07:18:06 PM
i liked fuzz , halfway and trymmings on the avon bulb stand. It was a wonderful display. The sent when i first arrived in the hall was grand.

Hi Emma - do you have any more information (a photo maybe) of 'Halfway'?
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: emma T on February 16, 2010, 07:24:33 PM
I did take a picture of it ,but on a camera borrowed from my sister . I hope to download the pictures tommorow. I dont have any info about it. " Halfway " was on the avon bulbs stand. It looked like a plant i would like in my collection.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 16, 2010, 07:29:50 PM
And some more.....
Steve - nice pics. Was 'Pom-pom' on the Avon Bulbs stand?

Chris
Yes, it was.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 16, 2010, 07:30:00 PM
The plants put before the joint rock were VERY late in being displayed to the public this year, so I hope I have managed to get a photo of everything before they were wisked away to their homes.

'Margaret Biddulph' - no award

'Gerard Parker' - no award

'Benhall Beauty' - no award

'Celia Sawyer' - PC

'Trumps' - PC

'Robin Hood' - PC
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 16, 2010, 07:50:31 PM
Nice to see 'Hambutts Orchard'. Haven't seen it in  a long time. Found in the garden of and named after the house in Painswick where my family lived when we first moved down from Scotland in the 1960s.

As we were moving out after renting the house for a year or so, who should be moving in (arriving with vans full of snowdrops in huge pots) but Brigadier and Mrs Matthias who had just sold Hyde Lodge, a couple of valleys over from Painswick, the home of their famous Giant Snowdrop Company, and were renting Hambutts Orchard while they looked for a house to buy in Painswick.

Didn't take long for my parents, both keen gardeners, to get to know the Matthias's and their gardener, Mr Ransome and start swopping snowdrops.

Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 16, 2010, 07:51:30 PM
And some more.....
Steve - nice pics. Was 'Pom-pom' on the Avon Bulbs stand?

Chris
Yes, it was.

Thanks Steve
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 16, 2010, 07:52:27 PM
I did take a picture of it ,but on a camera borrowed from my sister . I hope to download the pictures tommorow. I dont have any info about it. " Halfway " was on the avon bulbs stand. It looked like a plant i would like in my collection.

Thanks Emma - look forward to seeing the pic.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Jane on February 16, 2010, 07:55:37 PM
Thanks for posting the photos Steve and John. I wish I could of gone!
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 16, 2010, 07:56:59 PM
The plants put before the joint rock were VERY late in being displayed to the public this year, so I hope I have managed to get a photo of everything before they were wisked away to their homes.

Hi John - many thanks for posting the snowdrops that were put up for award - much appreciated.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 16, 2010, 07:58:15 PM
Nice to see 'Hambutts Orchard'. Haven't seen it in  a long time. Found in the garden of and named after the house in Painswick where my family lived when we first moved down from Scotland in the 1960s.

As we were moving out after renting the house for a year or so, who should be moving in (arriving with vans full of snowdrops in huge pots) but Brigadier and Mrs Matthias who had just sold Hyde Lodge, a couple of valleys over from Painswick, the home of their famous Giant Snowdrop Company, and were renting Hambutts Orchard while they looked for a house to buy in Painswick.

Didn't take long for my parents, both keen gardeners, to get to know the Matthias's and their gardener, Mr Ransome and start swopping snowdrops.



Great history Martin.  I have enjoyed reading that.  Thank you.   8)
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: RichardW on February 16, 2010, 08:01:05 PM
got a couple of very weak Hambutt's Orchard but they've yet to flower & had to be rescued last year, thanks for the info, always nice to know a little history.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: loes on February 16, 2010, 08:11:49 PM
great photos,thanks for posting!
don`t you all get greedy looking at those beauties?
I like fuzz,reminds me of Irish Green
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 16, 2010, 08:28:28 PM
Thanks all for the great photos.

I can now see why John is looking for Mordred!  Some of the others are really interesting too.

Is that really Ecusson d'Or, I thought the whole thing about it was it had yellow tips to the outers.  If it is it's a very poor example isn't it?
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 16, 2010, 08:35:56 PM
Great pics John and Steve.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 16, 2010, 08:41:37 PM
I believe that's David Quinton hiding behind the foliage with his camera, any photos David?
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 16, 2010, 08:45:22 PM
Well spotted Brian. I thought that I'd got away with it as I tried to blend in to the background.

I do have some photos but haven't downloaded them yet. Will see if I can do it tomorrow as no time tonight.

Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 16, 2010, 08:49:46 PM
Cheers David, it's nice for those of us who did not get there ;)  Otherwise we would not see some of the newly to be available cultivars.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 16, 2010, 09:01:20 PM
Thanks. Wish I was there
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 16, 2010, 09:10:51 PM
I have suffered/endured/enjoyed two days of intensive shopping - our son's wedding next month and his  mother had to be kitted out appropriately - and the display of lovely snowdrops from the London show was a most welcome relief.

There was certainly a lovely selection on display and  many thanks to all who posted such wonderful photographs.

Mark mentioned this already - does anybody recognise the lady in black, second from left, pearl necklace in the first photograph of the thread and posted by John Finch?

Paddy
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 16, 2010, 10:18:53 PM
Paddy do you know her also?
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 16, 2010, 10:25:46 PM
Mark,

I've looked again and I think it is just that she resembles Susan Tindall.

Paddy
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 16, 2010, 10:29:23 PM
Mark,

I've looked again and I think it is just that she resembles Susan Tindall.

Paddy
Away ye go! Nothing like her! ::)
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 16, 2010, 10:30:05 PM
Mark,

I've looked again and I think it is just that she resembles Susan Tindall.

Paddy
Away ye go! Nothing like her! ::)

So, who is she then?
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 16, 2010, 10:43:38 PM
I don't know! :-[
 My first thought when I saw her was that her face was familar, but I often think that for no good reason ( Ian says!) ... it may just be the lady has a nice face!  :-\
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 16, 2010, 10:50:29 PM
Is that really Ecusson d'Or, I thought the whole thing about it was it had yellow tips to the outers.  If it is it's a very poor example isn't it?

I have yet to see a good example of Ecusson d'Or.  I think the true thing about it is that it may have yellow tips on the outers but often does not.  It's not a plant on my list of wants (although I would not refuse one if offered).
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 16, 2010, 11:08:03 PM
As requested by Brian, I have attached a few pictures from this afternoon's visit to the RHS Halls. I think that most have been posted already but here goes.

Hopefully, if all goes well, you should see Epiphany, Pat Mason, a drift of Magnet, Moreton Mill, almost everyone's favourite of the day, Trymming and lastly Erway. If not, it's back to the drawing board!

Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: johnw on February 17, 2010, 01:11:34 AM
Steve  - Did you think that Foxgrove Whittallii was a particularly good form?  If it's the same one I saw I was quite taken by it.

johnw
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: johnw on February 17, 2010, 02:08:31 AM
David  -  You can beat the shape of Erway.  What were your thoughts of Trymming compared to the other look-alikes in the Tr...   fold? 

johnw
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 17, 2010, 07:47:49 AM
I know you asked David but I thought Trymming was the best of the bunch with large flowers and a very attractive dark green mark.  These days there are so many Trym-alikes that a new one needs to be a good example to get a name.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: steve owen on February 17, 2010, 08:09:16 AM
Steve  - Did you think that Foxgrove Whittallii was a particularly good form?  If it's the same one I saw I was quite taken by it.

johnw
John
I have a snowdrop "Edward Whittle", so having purchased and photographed the "Whittallii" cultivar on the Foxgrove stand I came home and read the lengthy trewatment of this (these) cultivar(s) in The Book. It seems to be almost as big a conundrum as Brenda Troyle.
My EW isn't flowering yet so I can't make a direct comparison. All I can say is that the Foxgrove plants are big vigorous plants with a good-sized flower.
Steve
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Mavers on February 17, 2010, 08:28:15 AM
Fabulous pictures everyone thanks for posting. Some very beautiful snowdrops! :)

Mike
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: David Quinton on February 17, 2010, 08:58:10 AM
David  -  You can beat the shape of Erway.  What were your thoughts of Trymming compared to the other look-alikes in the Tr...   fold? 

johnw

John, I thought that Trymming was very nice and certainly up there with the best Trym derivatives. I wouldn't say no to having it in my collection but I do rather like the Trym-like offerings. I appreciate that not everyone shares my liking of the Trym seedlings but they don't have to buy them, do they?

The flowers were very large and full. It looked great indoors but it may be worth checking if it can keep upright under all the weight of the flowers outside in the rain and snow. I'm ready to take a chance!
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 17, 2010, 09:29:57 AM
Thanks for your answer Alan b I was rather disappointed with the picture (not the photographer) not showing yellow outers and it's good to know someone else's views, I wonder what it's optimum growing conditions are.

Thanks David, I'm growing to like Epiphany, and, as you say Trymming is most interesting as long as it lives up to expecatations in the wild of the garden ;D I wouldn't mind giving it a chance 8)
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: art600 on February 17, 2010, 11:29:37 AM
In Steve's photo of Epiphany, the outers look a delicate shade of apricot - are they?  I ask as the camera can lie - and I am pastel shaded colourblind  :)

Can anyone rationalise the thinking behind the awards.  Why does Robin Hood get one now  ??? and others that appear equally good compared to the 'winning entries' do not.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 17, 2010, 11:51:24 AM
Hi Arthur

I've just looked in the garden and Epiphany is white - not the same sparkling white as Angelsea Abbey - but definitely not a delicate apricot.

I did overhear one of the judging panel say in passing "It's about time, we should have given Robin Hood an award 100 years ago".
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: johnw on February 17, 2010, 01:18:08 PM
Steve  - Did you think that Foxgrove Whittallii was a particularly good form?  If it's the same one I saw I was quite taken by it.

johnw
John
I have a snowdrop "Edward Whittle", so having purchased and photographed the "Whittallii" cultivar on the Foxgrove stand I came home and read the lengthy trewatment of this (these) cultivar(s) in The Book. It seems to be almost as big a conundrum as Brenda Troyle.
My EW isn't flowering yet so I can't make a direct comparison. All I can say is that the Foxgrove plants are big vigorous plants with a good-sized flower.
Steve


Steve - It will be interestintg to hear how Edward Whittle compares with the Foxgrove one.  Do let us know.  When the snowdrop season slows it would be interesting to start a topic on Brenda Troyle and have forumists send in shots of their "Brendas".

johnw
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: johnw on February 17, 2010, 01:23:05 PM
Alan / David  - Now Trymming sounds intriguing.  The Trymm-like one here is rather squinny when it opens but does get bigger and better as it matures.

The thing I find bothersome with them is the erratic outer markings - alot of bleeding of the green, some w shaped and some not.  Getting a bit fussy but it hasn't stopped me buying them.  ;)

I had hoped for buds on my Trymimpostor seedlings this year but it was not to be.

johnw
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 17, 2010, 01:25:52 PM
I think Trymmings is the best of the Trym group of lookalikes
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 17, 2010, 03:58:34 PM
Quote
Getting a bit fussy but it hasn't stopped me buying them.
  ::) ::)

 ;D
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: annew on February 17, 2010, 06:59:47 PM
I have yet to see a good example of Ecusson d'Or.  I think the true thing about it is that it may have yellow tips on the outers but often does not.  It's not a plant on my list of wants (although I would not refuse one if offered).
I'm glad I didn't pay £150 for one on ebay then!
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Gordon Cottis on February 17, 2010, 10:32:00 PM
Hello everybody!
I've just discovered the SRGC site and was delighted to see such fantastic pictures from the RHS Halls. Especially pleased to see David Quinton's photos of Pat Mason a plant which I first spotted at a WI Market in 2004 and named for the lady herself in 2006.
She had found it when they moved into a house in Old Catton Norfolk which she told me had previously belonged to the organist at Norwich Cathedral. It was subsequently moved to Salisbury where it thrived and now appears to be well established with a number of growers.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 17, 2010, 11:06:48 PM
Hello Gordon, good to have you join us. It is so interesting to hear the history behand the naming of plants... really adds dimension to things, thank you!
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Alan_b on February 17, 2010, 11:10:22 PM
Hello everybody!
I've just discovered the SRGC site and was delighted to see such fantastic pictures from the RHS Halls. Especially pleased to see David Quinton's photos of Pat Mason a plant which I first spotted at a WI Market in 2004 and named for the lady herself in 2006.
She had found it when they moved into a house in Old Catton Norfolk which she told me had previously belonged to the organist at Norwich Cathedral. It was subsequently moved to Salisbury where it thrived and now appears to be well established with a number of growers.

Hello Gordon, welcome to the forum.  I love to hear stories of how snowdrops were found and brought into cultivation.  I take it that Pat Mason was the lady who had provided the snowdrop to the WI Market, perhaps even the same lady who was selling it there?
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 17, 2010, 11:50:08 PM
Welcome Gordon.  Thanks for the history of 'Pat Mason' - I think it is a super snowdrop.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: johnjearrard on February 17, 2010, 11:51:32 PM
Hi to all,
I can offer a picture of 'Halfway' from the show. Looked good to me.
Also, I was impressed with 'Bridesmaid', and although 'Ecusson D'Or' wasn't showing yellow tipped outer segments, it still looked good as a yellow.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: mark smyth on February 18, 2010, 12:00:28 AM
Halfway is lovely. Halfway was to being ?

I always assumed Pat was a man. Thanks again for the info
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: KentGardener on February 18, 2010, 12:12:52 AM
Hi John

Good to see you posting.  And thanks for introducing yourself to me at the RHS halls.   8)

Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: snowdropman on February 18, 2010, 08:20:29 AM
Hi to all,
I can offer a picture of 'Halfway' from the show. Looked good to me.
Also, I was impressed with 'Bridesmaid', and although 'Ecusson D'Or' wasn't showing yellow tipped outer segments, it still looked good as a yellow.

John - thanks for posting the pic - clever name for this snowdrop!
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 18, 2010, 09:45:40 AM
Welcome to the forum Gordon, delighted to hear a little about the history of Pat Mason as a kind forumist gave me one last year, I have an interest in snowdrops from Norfolk in particular, and had no idea until your posting that there was a link.  Many thanks, I do like to know where they came from and the derivation of their names, it makes it far more interesting...and helps when you are talking to all those people who think they are just white flowers!  Enjoy your membership of the forum and we hope you will join us in posting photographs of your favourites.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Gordon Cottis on February 18, 2010, 11:35:04 AM


Hello Gordon, welcome to the forum.  I love to hear stories of how snowdrops were found and brought into cultivation.  I take it that Pat Mason was the lady who had provided the snowdrop to the WI Market, perhaps even the same lady who was selling it there?
Yes Pat ( who is definitely a lady Mark) had brought them to the market in some small posies of winter flowers. She seemed rather surprised that I got so excited about them. If I'd been more professional I'd probably have acted a bit cooler.
I'm not sure if my skills with a camera are up to posting pictures but I'll have a go if we ever see any sunshine here in our new home in Bath
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 18, 2010, 11:39:16 AM
Then we must be most grateful to you Gordon, a) for noticing it and b) for bringing it into wider circulation, many thanks.
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Maggi Young on February 18, 2010, 12:08:42 PM
Quote
if we ever see any sunshine here in our new home in Bath

I hope you didn't make a move in hopes of better weather, Gordon.... that was never going to work in the UK!  ;)
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 23, 2010, 06:36:42 PM
I'm looking forward to two more of my 'Trym-like' snowies to open: "Trumps" and nivalis "Trym-like".
Title: Re: RHS Halls feb 2010
Post by: johnw on February 23, 2010, 07:32:50 PM
nivalis "Trym-like".


Keep us posted Anthony. Are there other nivalis cultivars that are Trym-like?

johnw - a balmy gray +5c or more and no winter coats or mukluks here.  The usual crowd is out in shorts and t-shirts.
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