Snowdrops for identification, please.

[Alan_b]

Here's 'Trumpolute' on the (highly reliable) Judy's Snowdrops website http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/Plant_Profiles/Hybrids_Single/trumpolute/trumpolute.htm

No pagoda-like behaviour that I can see.  Most pagoda-type snowdrops only exhibit the behaviour as the flower matures.  So 'Trumpolute' could easily be correct.  Hopefully Tom will have records to indicate if he ever bought that one.   Well done Gordon; right or wrong it's an excellent suggestion.

[Brian Ellis]

I would have said that the third picture is what I would say was shaped like a pagoda roof Alan.  Perhaps you misunderstood me. 

[Alan_b]

Presumably yes, Brian; I don't have the catalogue to refer to.  I generally take pagoda-type snowdrops to indicate that the ends of the outer petals are raised to the point that they are near vertical or even pointing upwards.  'Trumpolute' is certainly that way inclined but we only have a single picture from Tom Udell to go on.

[Brian Ellis]

No 'Trumpolute' doesn't seem to be as extreme as 'Fly Away Peter' but it readily flares and that is a feature of the flower, well mine anyway.

The North Green Catalogue description says

The first significant hybrid between G.plicatus 'Trym' and G. elwesii to have convolute leaves and flowers reminding us of both G.'Trumps' and G.plicatus 'Trym'.  The distinctly flattish outer segments have a bold V-shaped mark towards the apex and a paler oval-shaped mark towards the base but this mark can vary until the plant is established.  An historic breakthrough which occurred in the garden at North Green in 2001

[Gordon Cottis]

Thank you for the kind comments Alan but I have to agree with Brian that the picture on Judy's snowdrops does look like a different plant unless it's an atypical flower possibly after twin-scaling.

[Brian Ellis]

Perhaps someone who could afford to bid for it in 2011 can confirm.

By the way mine was a very kind gift from a fellow forumist

[Gordon Cottis]

  You're a lucky man, Brian. Apologies if my original comment sounded a little churlish

[Alan_b]

The snowdrop in Tom's picture:

• Is an inverse poc. type.
• Does have glaucous convolute leaves.
• Does have some sort of paler mark towards the base of the inner petals as per the North Green description.
• Is the only suspect we have thought of.

But

• Does not have reflexed outer petals.
• The flower does not resemble other illustrations of 'Trumpolute' that closely.

So lets agree that it might be an immature form of 'Trumpolute' for lack of any better ideas.

[Maggi Young]

Tom hasn't ever bought most of the plants suggested, Trym Baby etc - but he does remember getting one of Brian's suggestions, 'Janet' from  Richard and Valerie at Woodchippings - he's going to send them the photo.

Thanks, Brian .

[mark smyth]

'Janet' at Woodchippings

[Cyril L]

I got G. 'John Gray' in 2002 but it was definitely not that as it has a single apical mark on the inner segments.  I got it again from a different source in 2009 but I am sure it is still not the true plant which is meant to be one of the earliest with an almost full basal mark joining the apical mark on the inners.  It is at its best now, so cannot be called early.  It is actually a very good plant that holds its scapes well (unlike John Gray I believe) about 7" tall and one I would not be without.  Can anyone identify it?

[mark smyth]

Definitely not John Gray but its a fabulous snowdrop

[Cyril L]

I agree Mark but what is it?

[mark smyth]

I don't think I've seen your snowdrop before

[mark smyth]

What type of leaves do they have? They look flat/applanate