Better scented than S. Arnott!

[uvularia]

A couple of interesting G. elwesii I found today in a hedge on a Thames walk today. The G. elwesii var. monostrictus type is a whopper. Outer segments were 38 mm. But the most interesting thing apart from its size was the strength of the fabulous scent. Just two heads filled the car. Rushed home to compare with S. Arnott and the new one was twice a strong!

Ever since I was reading about scented snowdrops, I have been sniffing a lot. There are definitely a lot that don't smell at all outside. Does anyone know of any large flowered elwesii that have 'knock you down fabulous scent'?

[mark smyth]

Don't know about an elwesii but Marks Tall has a brilliant scent

Your second photo looks like a green tipped Galadriel

[uvularia]

The outer segments were a longer and skinnier than Galadriel. Inner segment markings are roughly the same.

Is Mark's Tall anything to do with you?  I need to smell one!

[mark smyth]

It is. We can arrange that for later in the year

[Alan_b]

Scent is an under-rated and under-classified aspect of snowdrops.  It would be great if we could identify those with the strongest scent or those with an unusual scent.  There is 'Babraham Scented' (which I have never sniffed myself) that looks completely unremarkable so scent is its only claim to fame.  And some of us who went to Shaftesbury were blessed with the otherwise unidentified 'Arthur's Germolene', as recounted elsewhere.

[RichardW]

Not an elwesii but Peardrop is very scented.

I've got Babraham scented but never had it indoors, will pick a few flowers today.

Edit: Can confirm it is VERY scented.

[uvularia]

Scent is a wonderful attribute to have in a snowdrop.

Maybe a list of known strongly scented ones could be drawn up on this thread?

I am heading out to do some sniffing!

S. Arnott
Brabraham Scented
Mark's Tall
Arthur's Germolene
Peardrop
Tete's Hedge (Working name for the giant Elwesii my wife spotted)

Is Ginn's imperati strongly scented?

[uvularia]

Can now add

S. Arnott
Brabraham Scented
Mark's Tall
Arthur's Germolene
Peardrop
Tete's Hedge

Dame Margot Fonteyn

Is Ginn's imperati strongly scented?

[Alan_b]

I cannot vouch for the strength of scent of 'Arthur's Germolene' - Arthur himself needed multiple attempts before he could smell anything.  It was more the unusual nature of the scent that was commented on. 

[RichardW]

Yes Ginn's has a good scent.

Would agree about germolene, it was just odd rather than strong....

[mark smyth]

Many are scented but the strength must be down to the individual nose

[emma T]

'Fenstead End' smells of cat pee !

[Maggi Young]

The difficulty with scent, as Mark says, arises because of the way fragrance  may be diferentely interpreted by  an  individual nose. Sounds like a joke but it is a serious "problem" and one which has prevented me from attempting articles on flower scent in the past. 

One person's delicious scent is another's stink - and that is before the nuances of strength, flavour etc are taken into consideration - however- I am a great advocate of sniffing- so good luck Paul on your quest - just check the blooms for bees first!

Ginn's imperti  has a yummy  fragrance - to my nose.


Seeing Emma's last post - perhaps I should also advise caution with a gentle preliminary sniff- not only to avoid the danger of buzzing insects but also  the risk of a hooter full of noxious niff!

[RichardW]

I have a plan to make a Primrose Warburg snowdrop area after seeing the list on J Grimshaw's slide show at Shaftesbury.

A scented area also might be a good idea, particularly in the raised part of the walled garden which will save a lot of bending/kneeling....

If anyone has some strong/good scented drops to swap let me know, I will have spares of ginns, Peardrop, Babraham scented & S Arnott this year.

[annew]

As I bring them inside to take photographs, most are scented. Few aren't.