Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: Brian Ellis on February 13, 2011, 01:15:25 PM
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Back from the Gala, some good talks, very good company and some lovely gardens. I'm hoping someone will add photos from the visit to Thenford House as we had to miss that one. These will probably appear in a muddle but that's me all over.
We were extremely lucky that Richard and Valerie were kind enough to spend some time with us when we looked round their exciting garden at Woodchippings. No prizes as to why the cottage is called that! On a completely different topic, the cottage opposite was the home of Flora Thompson for about 14 years I think. So here you are some of the lovely snowdrops that caught my eye. For once they are my snaps ;)
A general view of a small part of the garden. Everywhere was immaculate and Richard and Valerie must have been worn out getting it all ready!
Chetwode Greentip
Cyclops
The beautiful Fair Maid
Long Leys
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Priscilla Bacon
Yarnton
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Great 'snaps' Brian.
'Cyclops' has just made me grin - good name.
Nice to see what I missed. Hope you get to see what you missed too. ;D
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Hello Brian, good to sending you to the GALA ;D. So we all can have a lot of good new impressions.
Far away from the galanthophile centre, I`m very thankful for pics of new cultivars.
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'Priscilla Bacon' looks fabulous.
Great shots, Brian.
Paddy
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CYCLOPS should have only one eye???
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CYCLOPS should have only one eye???
Yes, Hagen, the two spots on the inner segments made me wonder also. Perhaps, this Cyclops was is one of the gifted ones with two eyes?
Paddy
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We arrived at the Gala and I immediately joined the queue to pick up Monksilver orders. In front of me was a hat I have grown to recognise and it was good to meet Emma T in the flesh, not far in front was ChasW. It was good to see lots of other forumists and lurkers. The talk by Richard Hobbs showed a couple of David's pictures of 'Penelope Ann' at Glen Chantry and a mention was given of somebody chipping 'Swanton' (I wonder who that could be 8)). Ian Christie's talk was also well received and it was great to see some more of the Scottish snowdrops in his pictures. The room gave a collective 'Ah!' when 'Elizabeth Harrison' appeared. Joe then spoke about words that snowdroppers use, and in between a lady from Norfolk gave readings from an early 20th century book by Edna Jackson. Then it was the mad rush to the sports hall as seen on John Grimshaw's blog. There was not enough time to chat to people as snowdrops were to be found! Lots of the 'big names' were there, and as David was there under sufferance (although he did say he enjoyed the talks ;)) he took some general shots. You may see yourselves in them, and I have named one or two too.
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more...
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and more ...
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Nice pics of the gala ;D again nice hat ::)
We went up to Thenford today, and it is the most amazing garden ( snowdrops were not bad either ;) )
We had a three course meal at Thenford and Lord Heseltine sat at our table to have lunch ;D Really nice man.
Pics to follow when im have had a good nights sleep and recoved from all the driving ive done .
We didnt go on the the other garden today, it was late in the day and the weather was nasty so we decided to head home while it was still light.So if anyone went please post some pics :)
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Ooh good, thankyou Emma. I will bore everyone in the meantime with the rest of David's pics. It was unfortunate that the sale was in the Sports Hall and there was no stage for David to climb onto to get a general view of the gathering. Here are the last couple. We went to Evenley briefly after woodchippings and I'll put a few general shots here, I'm afraid we were tired and, after a cup of tea, came home!
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I was going to congratulate you on buying just one bagful Brian. But then recognized THAT BAG. It was only for your Colesbourne plants!
Seems we all have alot of jpgs of rear-ends. The sale seems much more civilized than the mayhem and rush on JohnG's site. That one is not the event for those of us who like to think long and hard about our purchases ( :-X).
johhnw
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Here follow the proper pictures of Woodchippings through the eyes of a non-galanthophile garden lover! The general views show how immaculate it was all looking. Richard and Valerie (and Vanessa ;D) must have worked their socks off, and it was much appreciated. The garden is full of good snowdrops, seedlings and crosses that Richard has done as well as good finds from the surrounding area. I had to laugh as everytime I commented on a really nice snowdrop Richard said 'Valerie named that one". To be quite honest I could have gone round three or four times as there were so many delightful snowdrops.
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CYCLOPS should have only one eye???
I see one white eyeball peeking out. Or were you thinking brown or blue Hagen? I don't think brown is so desirable.
johnw
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I was going to congratulate you on buying just one bagful Brian. But then recognized THAT BAG. It was only for your Colesbourne plants!
I'm not saying anything ;D ::) ;D
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to continue, I believe Ruth is named for a friend of theirs.
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The lovely Priscilla Bacon again...
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and the last few folks! 'Turncoat' is one of Richard's Trym crosses (I do believe Valerie may have named it :D), compared with the original plant it is much more vigorous and robust.
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The sale seems much more civilized than the mayhem and rush on JohnG's site. That one is not the event for those of us who like to think long and hard about our purchases ( :-X).
On the contrary John, by the end Glen Chantry's stand looked like a bomb had hit it. It was in a good big hall and the stands were spaced round the edge which meant there was a lot more room for milling around.
Of course having thought long and hard, you go with a wish list and find as many as you can...and get waylaid by other lovely things too.
Hagen I am pleased you are finding them interesting, I think probably one of the hardest things is trying to find a new name for a snowdrop that has not been used before!
I apologise to all those I have not named, I sat in front of Jo Hynes, Mark, AlanB and Steve Owen at the lecture and bumped into no end of other people (and that wasn't just trying to get to the sales tables 8)
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Thanks for the photos Brian, gives newbies like myself a good insight into what goes on at the Galanthus gala!! The sales area seems a little mad for my liking, as has been said, I also like to browse before buying so think I'd stand little chance to be honest. Seems that some people get a new lease of life when it comes to being first to a sales table looking at Jims blog!! :o
Going back to snowdrops like others have mentioned Pricilla Bacon is a wonderful snowdrop and stands out. I also like the look of Wisp.
With your account of the gala, Johns blog and others who have put photos up we're really being spoilt at this moment in time :) :P
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Sean,it helps if youhave played rugby in the past,especially when the doors are opened,I was about 10th in the queue,it was a bit like a cork coming out of a bottle
It was good to meet other forum members there,even if only briefly, there never is much time to chat,but have to say was pleased with my purchases one of them being Pricilla Bacon
I will have to visit Woodchippings again on a quieter day with Jan sometime,did like the look of Ruth,and Turncoat
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Brian - great photos of the Gala and gardens. I would love to attend a Gala one of these days. I love the photos of Woodchippings - what a beautiful garden with lovely clumps of snowdrops. I have been trying to get my garden to look like that for years and am still nowhere close to it. I have realised that my garden is missing the early colour of Cyclamen coum - I must remedy that asap.
Out of interest what are the snowdrop prices at the Gala? Do they start around £4 and go up to £50...or beyond? Is there an average price ie. £20? Just curious. Was there much worth buying after the initial crush? ???
Really enjoyed your photos - Priscilla Bacon is beautiful
Jennie
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Sean,it helps if youhave played rugby in the past,especially when the doors are opened,I was about 10th in the queue,it was a bit like a cork coming out of a bottle
It was good to meet other forum members there,even if only briefly, there never is much time to chat,but have to say was pleased with my purchases one of them being Pricilla Bacon
I will have to visit Woodchippings again on a quieter day with Jan sometime,did like the look of Ruth,and Turncoat
We'll have to get a forum scrum together to keep the masses at bay :D
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Now there's a thought Sean
And Jennie ,prices ranged from abot £10 up to £120 depending on what it was,also you find that some drops there, are only in limited numbers,I was after Rosemary Burnham but by the time I got to the sales table in question they had all gone, as they only had 5 for sale
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Brian - Great shots. This Walker Canada is a complete mystery. A couple of years ago nobody that I have contacted in Canada could ever recall a Walker that had a penchant for snowdrops - east or west. Any mention of the original source at Woodchippings?
johnw - a cold and miserable day here with sun.
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Now there's a thought Sean
And Jennie ,prices ranged from abot £10 up to £120 depending on what it was,also you find that some drops there, are only in limited numbers,I was after Rosemary Burnham but by the time I got to the sales table in question they had all gone, as they only had 5 for sale
Thanks for answering my question Chas & well done on getting Priscilla Bacon - I really like that one. I keep reading that Rosemary Burnham can be fickle, but it is beautiful
Jennie
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I must put the record straight or I will be 'drummed out of the brownies', only the first photos were mine. The rest courtesy of David who strangely found time on his hands whilst I was succumbing to the fever.
Jennie I did think of you when I was at Woodchippings. I came home with my head spinning, you ought to try and visit.
John I don't think anyone knows who this 'Walker' was. For those who don't know about this one it came from the garden of Richard Nutt and the book says
A nearby faded and barely legible label with the name "Walker, Canada" is all that is known about this lovely snowdrop.
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I am going to regret asking this I know. But I am intrigued to know what is so fascinating about the picture of me bending over that deserves all those viewings...it must be for the Colesbourne bag surely.
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I am going to regret asking this I know. But I am intrigued to know what is so fascinating about the picture of me bending over that deserves all those viewings...it must be for the Colesbourne bag surely.
Oh, Brian, Darling, you must realise that you do cut a fine figure of a man. It's not just your snowdrops that people admire.
Paddy
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Great pictures from Brian's David - gives a real feel for the day.
'Priscilla Bacon' is lovely - like a big fat balloon.
Hagen - I see one white eye on 'Cyclops'. ;)
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I am going to regret asking this I know. But I am intrigued to know what is so fascinating about the picture of me bending over that deserves all those viewings...it must be for the Colesbourne bag surely.
What Paddy says ;)
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I am going to regret asking this I know. But I am intrigued to know what is so fascinating about the picture of me bending over that deserves all those viewings...it must be for the Colesbourne bag surely.
Of course for the bag. I didn't even glance at anything else. ;D
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Jennie I did think of you when I was at Woodchippings. I came home with my head spinning, you ought to try and visit.
See....you know what I like already :) One of these days I will get there hopefully - not keen on long distance driving though. Maybe I could let the train take the strain :) Are they open all year round or just certain days? I thought they were just open to the public for the Gala.
Jennie
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Paddy, Sean and Lesley, you have to admit it's far better to look at that 'Fair Maid' than this old fogey :P
Jennie I think you will find they are open by appointment too. They should be in the Yellow Book of the National Garden Scheme.
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Brian, your pics are a feast for the senses. I never saw a better ECUSSON D`OR!!!
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I never saw a better ECUSSON D`OR!!!
Actually it looks rather better on the photograph than I thought it did in real life. To my eyes the yellow marks on the outers are never very distinct.
You can see me on one of the early photographs, failing even to get near a crowded sales table - so much for my hopes of owning 'South Hayes'. Who is that guy with a two foot (60 cm) advantage over everybody else? After the debacle of the Wisley Krasnovii two years ago, I did a least manage to get what I hope will prove to be a genuine one at the Gala, albeit at a rather high price.
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You can see me on one of the early photographs, failing even to get near a crowded sales table - so much for my hopes of owning 'South Hayes'.
I seemed to have escaped the photos (so far, anyway ::) ) although there is a blur of me in John Grimshaw's video. However, my realising that there was no chance of getting near the crowded table meant I went first to a non-crowded one, so managed to get the fabled South Hayes. Sorry, Alan ;D
(and sorry for poor pic, snapped quickly!)
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Brian - Great shots. This Walker Canada is a complete mystery. A couple of years ago nobody that I have contacted in Canada could ever recall a Walker that had a penchant for snowdrops - east or west. Any mention of the original source at Woodchippings?
johnw - a cold and miserable day here with sun.
Walker Canada was in the North Green Snowdrops catalogue a couple of years ago. I had a bulb that sulked for a year, then decided to co-operate after I threatened it.
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However, my realising that there was no chance of getting near the crowded table meant I went first to a non-crowded one, so managed to get the fabled South Hayes. Sorry, Alan ;D
"Good thinking batwoman" - sorry I didn't see you Diane :-\
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Sorry that we did not meet up either Diane
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Walker Canada was in the North Green Snowdrops catalogue a couple of years ago. I had a bulb that sulked for a year, then decided to co-operate after I threatened it.
I shall speak sternly to mine then Biggles 8)
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treat em mean keep em keen.
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I seemed to have escaped the photos (so far, anyway ::) ) although there is a blur of me in John Grimshaw's video.
Diane - I think everyone is a blur as they're moving so fast.
johnw
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Hi to all, it was great to meet some forumists at this event and we had super sunny weather on the Sat afternoon to visit the Gardens first was Evenly woods the The Chippings so a few pictures first fro these then on Sunday with some heavy rain we visited Michael Hesaltines garden 75 acres a dream landscape, we had a fantastic lunch and a talk about the garden from the man himself very entertaining and a real gentleman
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next set Ian the Christie kind
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A few more Ian.
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I took 721 photos :o any helpers to edit them? :)
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Ian, there is already a Gala Thread in the Galanthus section, so I will merge your topic with that. :)
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Altamont Gardens in Co Carlow got a spot on the six o'clock news on Saturday with some nice pics of snowdrops and announcing the open days. It was also on again last night when the Nationwide prog was broadcast from there.
The white fever is contagious. ;D
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I took 721 photos :o any helpers to edit them? :)
I'm looking forward to seeing your photos too Mark :)
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Michael, what programme?
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me too Sean
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Michael, what programme?
Here (http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1091614) Mark; first (short) item on the programme of 14 Feb.
Hope it's available to you because we can't get BBC TV content via the web, presumably Ahmadinejad's doing :P ;)
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Thanks Ashley
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A big HELLO to all the Galanthus lurkers who chatted with me at the Gala and the Garden House.
There were many requests for me to bring back the snowdrop gallery on my web site as an alternative to the names page. I'll will consider it but not in the near future.
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Has anyone had problems with the link that Ashley has put up,I have been frozen out of my puter for about 3 hours after trying it,am posting this from my sons computer ,maybe its just me but be careful
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Chas i have looked seemed fine to me.
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What seller at the Gala had the photo of Angelsey Rainbow :o?
Dark green ovary, half the petals white and the other half orange. They should have called it Eire where the flag is green white and gold
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That's Ivy Cottage Mark.