List of early-flowering snowdrops

[mark smyth]

It struck me that "Potter's Prelude" is the "Barnes" of North America.  It would be interesting to know how they fare in a side-by-side comparison.

My 'Barnes' come up with very little leaf showing. Maybe 1.5 - 2cm

[Alan_b]

This year my Barnes produced a single flower on 25th October with very little leaf showing.  About a week later a second flower appeared from a daughter bulb.  Then two more flowers from other daughter bulbs a week after that; by that time there was quite a lot of leaf showing.  The effect was very pleasing, a bit like a magician producing a rabbit out of a hat, then another rabbit, then another two.

The sort of side-by-side comparison between 'Barnes' and 'Potter's Prelude' I would be envisaging was a comparison of merits; to see which flowered first, which bulked-up faster, which had the prettier flowers etc.

[Leena]

  I've always suspected these early flowering elwesii are not very hardy for places with real winters, the loss of dormancy that early would be suicidal here.  Judging from your flowering dates and latitude I guess we are just too far north & cold for the very earlies.

I'm following this conversation with interest, and hope that in year to come I will have something to add also to experiences in autumn flowering snowdrops in colder climates.

[Tim Ingram]

I'm really struck by Carolyn's 'Potter's Prelude' and Hagen's selections - this list is becoming quite exciting, especially when you hardly grow any of them! In our garden this year a few earlier elwesii's normally coming in January are in full flower now so it must be a very early season. It would be very interesting to compare the same plants in contrasting climates.

[Mariette]

´Barnes´grows in my garden for several years, it multiplies well and is very reliable. Nevertheless, ´Potter´s Prelude´is of far more elegant proportions and - for me - the more desirable plant.May we know how long the outers are, Carolyn?

[Carolyn Walker]

´Barnes´grows in my garden for several years, it multiplies well and is very reliable. Nevertheless, ´Potter´s Prelude´is of far more elegant proportions and - for me - the more desirable plant.May we know how long the outers are, Carolyn?

The outer segments when fully expanded are 3 cm.  Another photo of a newer clump of 'Potter's Prelude' today, which is finally bright and sunny.

[mark smyth]

It would be good to see a side by side comparison of 'Barnes' and 'Potters Prelude'

[Maggi Young]

In 2010 it was mentioned in the Forum about Galanthus 'Barnes'  that   " There does seem to be (at least) two versions in circulation, one of which can be up to a month later than the other."

[Maggi Young]

 Here are two of Carolyn's  'Potter's Prelude'  photos along with 'Barnes' from Tony Willis and Paddy Tobin 


PP


Barnes  by TW


PP


Barnes by TW

 
Barnes   by PT

[Tim Ingram]

'Potter's Prelude' really does have substance about it doesn't it - a fine plant. It reminds me very much of 'Comet' in the marking, which is one of the first snowdrops I bought at the very extravagent price of £8 many years ago at Washfield Nursery!

[Carolyn Walker]

Here is another newly introduced in 2013 (after 25 years of evaluation) US snowdrop that blooms before Christmas.  It is called 'Standing Tall' and was selected by Charles Cresson for its very large flowers, 12” height, very upright habit, and commanding presence in the garden.  I checked with Charles, and it does bloom before Christmas---the photos were taken on December 24, 2012, and it had been blooming for a while.  Charles doesn't have 'Three Ships' though so he can't compare them.

[Alan_b]

This is my version of 'Barnes' (pictured on 31/10/14).  It suffered a brief absence a few years ago so there is a small possibility that this is a seedling growing where Barnes used to be rather than the real Barnes - but I don't think so.

[Brian Ellis]

Carolyn they are both great, but 'Standing Tall' looks to be really substantial.  Marvellous.

[Alan_b]

I've given 'Standing Tall' the benefit of the doubt and added it to the list.  If somebody in North America has 'Three Ships' maybe they can do a trade with Charles Cresson?

Edit:  I choose 'Three Ships' because it seems to be quite widely distributed.  If it's not available in North America I need a secondary reference there.

[mark smyth]

Here is another newly introduced in 2013 (after 25 years of evaluation) US snowdrop that blooms before Christmas.  It is called 'Standing Tall' and was selected by Charles Cresson for its very large flowers, 12” height, very upright habit, and commanding presence in the garden. 

Looking very good