Galanthus February 2008

[Martin Baxendale]

I suppose the mark on that Cicely's Tubby could improve when the bulbs settle down. But even then I don't think it's going to be up to much, or worth the price paid for Cicely Hall (not to mention the disappointment). Maybe I'm letting the disappintment cloud my judgement...but I don't think so.

Here's a quick snap I took at the same time, of a nice late elwesii monostictus that I had from my mother's garden a couple of years ago. It was a seedling and has a nice shape to it as well as an attractive mark. I'll try to get a better pic tomorrow, to show the flower shape off better.

[Paddy Tobin]

Martin,

It appears to me that you have received a very run-of-the-mill snowdrop with a disgusting name. It certainly bears no resemblance to G. 'Cicely Hall' which has a very strong deep green inner segment mark covering the full length of the inner segment except for a white line at the apex running along the sinus. The outer segments of G. 'Cicely Hall' are decidedly long and elegant giving an overall very pleasantly shaped flower. There is no way in the world that the markings on the snowdrop you have been sent could improve to match that of G. 'Cicely Hall'.

The addition of 'Tubby' to a snowdrop name has already been used with G. 'Merlin'. However, G. 'Tubby Merlin' has a strong similarity to G. 'Merlin' while this G. 'Cicely's Tubby' bears no resemblance at all to G. 'Cicely Hall'.

What you have been sent hardly compares favourably with snowdrop photographs of home-found seedlings posted on the forum by many members. Likewise your own G. elw. monostictus appears to me to be a far superior plant. Mr. Christian has spun a tall tale I fear.

I can imagine Mrs. Hall turning in her grave at the sound of that obnoxious name and Robin Hall fuming at its bad taste. 

Paddy

[Martin Baxendale]

Paddy, I was told there had been a mix-up over labels, that Rare Plants' supplier had a label that was not clear but said Cicely...something, so it was thought to be Cicely Hall, but when the bulbs flowered they were recognised as "Cicely's Tubby". I've never heard of it. And I agree it's no substitute for Cicely Hall, which I was really looking forward to flowering (and using in my breeding programme).   

[mark smyth]

I heard today that Janet from Judy's Snowdrops has also contacted PC. She also notes that he has removed all reference to the bulb from his web site. I just went for a look for myself and poked around. It is gone.

If he can send obviously dead mouldy bulbs to me that I return and get no refund he is capable of cashing in on Galanthomania

[Diane Whitehead]

A friend found these snowdrops yesterday in a Victoria garden
made in 1937.  Yes, the 3rd one has two dots on each inner.

[mark smyth]

The pocs look great. Does the 3rd one have dots on all three inners?

[Anthony Darby]

Some very interesting ones there Diane.

Here's some flowering in today's sunshine.
A four petalled one from Klondyke Garden Centre, Stirling; 'Angelique'; krasnovii; 'Greenish'; 'Sophie North; gracilis and 'James Backhouse'.

[mark smyth]

Anthony your four leaved snowdrops shows what might be a plicatus leaf. Is it? Or maybe it's a trick of the light?

[KentGardener]

A friend found these snowdrops yesterday in a Victoria garden
made in 1937.

Diane

pic 1 - WOW!
 
pic 2 - WOW!

pic 3 - WOW!

thank you so much.

I have spent the last two long long days as a student in a class room and these picures have made me remember there is a world out there!

 

Jx

[KentGardener]

Anthony - you have a lot more snowdrops that I realised!   

nice 'quadrapetalla'

regards

John

[KentGardener]

Not a very good pic of "Cicely's Tubby"

Martin - that is a very disapointing 'drop!  I am surprised that they want the bulbs returned for a refund - but a refund is definately what I would be asking for!

regards

John

[Anthony Darby]

Anthony your four leaved snowdrops shows what might be a plicatus leaf. Is it? Or maybe it's a trick of the light?

Mark, just a trick of the light. Are they elwesii? The one nearest the camera is the four petalled plant but the leaves have a definite twist.

[Anthony Darby]

Anthony - you have a lot more snowdrops that I realised!   

nice 'quadrapetalla'

regards

John

Well over 50 varieties John.

[mark smyth]

Are you sure the leaf pointing to 1pm isnt plicate?

[Martin Baxendale]

Are they elwesii? The one nearest the camera is the four petalled plant but the leaves have a definite twist.

Anthony, check the leaf bases. If they're at all convolute, it's elwesii; if applanate, gracilis. You can get elwesii with a twist to the leaf. It's the leaf vernation that's the clincher.