Galanthus that are truly easy to recognise!

[Alan_b]

I thought Lady Fairhaven and Ailwyn were told apart by eyes or no eyes

Indeed they are, Mark.  However the question is whether these characteristics are reproducible year-on-year.  Some people assert that what is Ailwyn one year can turn into Lady Fairhaven another year, and vice versa.  Few of us have more than one or two bulbs of either, so it is hard to form a considered opinion.

I had considered volunteering 'Green Light' for the list but held back because:

• The green marks on the outer petals are quite small and so are not that obvious.
• I have 'under wraps' a similar snowdrop called 'Green Hornet'.  I can spot the difference between 'Green Light' and 'Green Hornet' but they are rather similar (not unlike Wendy's Gold and Wandlebury Ring).

By the way, I'm not for one minute trying to suggest that snowdrops should not be classified systematically; I'm just having a bit of fun by seeking nominations for the most distinctive ones.
 

[kentish_lass]

Only just got in snowdrop mode here when I noticed elwesii 'Hollis' in flower yesterday!  So when does Remember, Remember flower.....it's a bit late for Nov 5th - it was new this year so may need time to settle.

Without giving it too much thought I would add good old Hippolyta to the list as it is quite distinctive with its rounded appearance and perfect skirt.  I will get into 'snowdrop gear' and give it more thought.

[kentish_lass]

Have given it a bit more thought and would quite confidently add:-

Castlegar
Jonathan (looking out for the orange glow of course - without it I would be a bit lost)
Green Brush
woronowii
Blonde Inge (if it was behaving right as mine usually does)

[Brian Ellis]

Good to see your brain is working in the middle of the night Jennie, mine has normally given up by then

[annew]

So is Yellow Angel a rather chlorotic looking variant of Angelique?

[bob worsley]

Here's my contribution to the list:

Daglingworth
Deerslot
Godfrey Owen
Heffalump.

I am also tempted to add Sutton Courtney.

I would add Scharlockii, but, despite what the book says, my Warei sometimes has a split spathe

[Brian Ellis]

Amended list now reads:

Ailwyn/Lady Fairhaven
Anglesey Abbey
Augustus
Blewbury Tart/Green Fingers
Blonde Inge
Blue Magnet
Castlegar
Daglingworth
Diggory
Ding Dong
EA Bowles
Elizabeth Harrison
Fly Fishing
Gloucester Old Spot
Godfrey Owen
Green Brush
Green Light/Green Hornet
Green Mile
Green Tear
Hans Guck
Heffalump
Hill Poe
Hippolyta
Lady Beatrix Stanley
Lady Elphinstone
Lapwing
Modern Art
Peter Gatehouse
Rosemary Burnham
Sickle
Sophie North
South Hayes
Sutton Courtenay
Swanton
Trymposter
Walrus
Wasp
Wendy's Gold
woronowii
Yellow Angel

I haven’t included ‘Jonathan' Jennie as you rightly point out that without the orange glow we’d all find it difficult and they were supposed to be ‘truly easy to recognise’.  Likewise Bob ‘Deerslot’ although having the distinguishing mark, quite often only does it on one face so you wouldn’t recognise it from the ‘wrong’ side!  I’m happy to be shot down here

[Alan_b]

...is Yellow Angel a rather chlorotic looking variant of Angelique?

one of the most exciting new snowdrops I've seen for ages: albino with a yellow ovary. It is called 'Yellow Angel'. ( http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/winter-gardens-tour.html )

I presume the photographs don't do it justice, Anne.

[Alan_b]

Bob, I agree that the giant-spathe types (of which I believe 'Scharlockii' is the original) are very distinctive but the problem there is that they have been around for such a very long time that there are now many variants.  On the one hand it seems unfair to exclude such a distinctive type of snowdrop but on the other hand it can be quite difficult to distinguish individual members within the group.

Jennie, I'm not sure if we can include a species (woronowii) rather than a named cultivar.  And personally, I always have to look pretty hard to make sure I can distinguish between woronowii and ikariae.  I don't disagree that the broad green leaves make these very distinctive snowdrop species. 

[annew]

Ah, yes - it does look interesting.

[emma T]

I've seen "yellow angel" in the flesh  , immediately went to the top of my wants list

[mark smyth]

I too would willingly give 'Yellow Angels' a home

[bob worsley]

Brian

you're probably right about Deerslot - the first year I had it looked more like a horseshoe than a deer.

Yellow Angel looks good though - shame, I wasn't going to buy any more this year.

[Brian Ellis]

Yellow Angel looks good though - shame, I wasn't going to buy any more this year.

I agree, but i wonder how long it will be before it is available?

[kentish_lass]

OK I agree Jonathan is a bit hit and miss should you miss the early orange glow & woronowii is a species.

What happened to Hippolyta on the list ?  I think I would add 'Ding Dong' with its lighter shade of green, flower shape and shading.

I can't find a photo of Green Mile?