Galanthus in February 2014

[art600]

I would be interested in opinions on the snowdrop on the right.  My good authority assures me it is yellow and I think it may have a fuller mark than 'Wendy's Gold'.

 

Alan

Very nice - and it doesn't have the sickly looking leaves of 'Wendy's Gold' - a bonus

[freddyvl]

John, we all have missed you and your contributions. Without you no real snowdropseason! Your set of photos makes something good but not everything. Better next year because you only live once 

[johnw]

Should you ever question the hardiness of any nivalis consider this poor clump near the house.  It has braved a very cold winter despite being under a persistent drip from the eavestrough above, it has removed all the soil, the tunics and the snowcover.

Do note how it is sending out secondary shoots in the oddest spots on the bulbs.

Now that the poar vortex has dissapated Mother Nature will add insult to injury, she is sending a potent Siberian air mass down over North America.  She seems to delight in a March torture session, there's a word for that I believe. 

johnw - a wonderful spring-like day

[johnw]

and some more finds from the very productive wildflower lawn.

Richard  - I particularly like the second find with the tiny white hole at the junction of the two marks.

johnw

[RichardW]

It's what caught my eye, and Emma who works with me & thinks being fascinated by snowdrops is a bit odd  admitted it was very neat, as you can see in the photo the bulb behind has quite faint lines compared to the front but they are always there.

[snowdropcollector]

Richard, thank you for posting the lovely pictures. Great finds also !! Specially the first one, very nice markings !!

[snowdropcollector]

John, good to see you are back. And with lovely pictures of great snowdrops  .
Missed your postings this season !

[Uli Lessnow]

John, it's good to see you posting pics again. I missed you this year in Nettetal but I hope for next
year. I still remember the fine days with you in Gillinghan.
All the best
Uli

[kentish_lass]

Just having a much needed catch up.  John F - great photos and such lovely clump displays.  Just love Wilhem Bauer - it's just beautiful.  SA0901 is very special too - good photo of it.

Richard - love your finds and I like the gracilis infused one too.  I am becoming very fond of gracilis cultivars.

I have spent a few hours over the weekend rummaging around for 'special' additions.  Was gutted to find many empty spots ie.  Big Boy, Fanny, Henry's White Lady, E'cusson d'or, Bill Clarke....the list goes on.  These were all planted directly into the ground in an area where I have had a good survival rate up until now.  I am wondering if it the heavy non stop rain has had anything to do with it? 

Noted a few clumps look a bit staggy, Sibbertoft White has diminished to one bulb, Angelique (3rd attempt) is showing leaves but no flowers for the second year......but on a brighter note.....some clumps have multiplied like crazy and look fantastic 

A few not very exciting photos.....

1)  What is usually a lovely border when tended is looking dreadful.  Hellebore leaves not taken off and Clerodendron trichotomum var. fargesii has suckered everywhere trying to take over the border.  I am going to tip toe around tomorrow trying to tidy things up.

2)  A little area under a Viburnum with odds and ends of no particular value popped in at random...and it just thrives.  It is also in the area where I grow all my Narcissus too - go figure?

3)  Was very happy to see this little Hellebore seedling of mine flowering for the first time this year!  It is a cross of an original Picottee from Washfield Nursery onto a torquatus double. 

4)  Viridapicis and woronowii just love the clay soil in this garden - wish I could be happy just growing them - but then what could I moan about!?

[Alan_b]

You have some wonderful clumps of snowdrops there, Jennie.  I would use some of that stock to try-out other areas.  If your 'easy' snowdrops continue to thrive when transplanted then it should be safe to put some of the more expensive snowdrops in there.  If they don't flourish then it's probably a bad area.  When I went round the Anglesey Abbey collection a few weeks ago the guide commented that one spot seemed to be a bad area and the snowdrops were not doing well there.  And I have one or two spots in my own garden where snowdrops have consistently failed.

Trichoderma harzianum may help if you have problems with fungal diseases and should do no harm in any case.       

[Mavers]

Oh well I think my Big Boy looks nice....

[emma T]

Oh well I think my Big Boy looks nice....

Your 'big boy' does look nice Mike 

[Tim Ingram]

Super plants Jennie, and very interesting hellebore cross! We must come and see your day-lilies in the summer. We have quite a few untended beds, which you will see if you look at my blog, but the cared for parts of the garden are marvellous.

[Sean Fox]

Big Boy looks fantastic Mike 

Jennie we're all allowed to leave borders unattended every once in a while, and it's amazing what a difference half an hour can make once you catch up.

John, great drops...as always 

[RichardW]

What is usually a lovely border when tended is looking dreadful.  Hellebore leaves not taken off and Clerodendron trichotomum var. fargesii has suckered everywhere trying to take over the border.  I am going to tip toe around tomorrow trying to tidy things up.

It's quite a nice & very natural effect.

Have seen Big Boy at a few sales this year and does look good but not at the current price