Autumn snowdrops

[Gail]

It has been wet and windy here but at least the snowdrops are flowering;

[Robert]

Hi Gail,

Yes, it is indeed nice to see the Autumn Snowdrops blooming. Thank you for sharing the photograph.

Here in our part of Interior Northern California the weather is currently warm and dry, however another storm is forecasted to arrive this weekend with rain and much cooler temperatures. There is finally frost at the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

There are a very limited number of Snowdrops available in our part of California. I use my imagination to find substitute plants to fill this garden niche in our garden. The genus Acis seems to hold some possibilities. Both Acis autumnale and A. rosea bloom in the autumn for us, however they grow and bloom much better with a very dry rest during the summertime. Acis tingitana is very beautiful and blooms in January. Acis nicaeensis blooms a bit later in the early spring. Both need to be tested in our open garden. Right now, they are growing in our cinder block garden where they are kept dry during the summer. Stretching this idea to the limit, we are experimenting with our California native, Cardamine californica. It blooms very early in the season, sometimes as early as January, depending on the elevation. The flowers range in color from pure white to light pink. They seem to demand summertime dry in our garden (like what they would get in their natural habitat), however we shall see how adaptable they can become through our breeding efforts. We also cross pollenate the few Snowdrops we currently have in our garden to see if we can come up with something different. The seedlings are coming along nicely, yet blooming plants are still several years away.

Anyway, thank you again for sharing your photograph.

[Jeffnz]

Robert
See if a frum member than send you G. elwessi seeds, this species would be the best for you to try.

[Robert]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your suggestion.

Currently I have two Galanthus elwesii type plants in our garden. One I named 'Primero'. I grew this plant from seed I acquired about 40-45 years ago. The other I named 'Segundo'. This plant has been in our garden about 5 years. The other three Galanthus in our garden are: Galanthus woronowii, G. nivalis, and G. nivalis 'Flore Pleno'. Galanthus nivalis has been in our garden for about 10-15 years. Galanthus woronowii and Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' are new to our garden. I grew Galanthus 'Flore Pleno' about 30 years ago, however I eventually lost it. Now I have this variety again.

I enjoy working with what I currently have. I have used 'Primero', 'Segundo' and Galanthus nivalis to create new hybrids. Galanthus woronowii and G. nivalis 'Flore Pleno' will be worked into the mix. I get a great deal of satisfaction being creative with what I already have. These plants will keep me engaged for a long time. I am very pleased with this arrangement. If I think I need additional genetic material in the future I will see what is available locally or try to acquire pollen. Dry pollen can be stored frozen for long periods of time. Pollen is also incredibly easy to send through the mail. This works well for me.

I enjoy learning about other gardens through the Forum. Ian and Maggi Young's garden, as shared through the Bulb Log, has been very inspirational for me. Ian McDonald's 'My Local Patch and Wildlife' has also been very inspirational. Sometimes he shares scenes of the local farmland. For me it is very beautiful, an ambiance I would like to capture in our Sacramento garden. In addition, I log the birds, butterflies, and other insects that visit our garden, partly inspired by Mr. McDonald's diary. A number of other people have shared their gardens through the Forum. I enjoy this a great deal. Sharing my attempt to create a beautiful garden on the Forum is very satisfying for me too.

Tomorrow, I head to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There might be a change in plans. We might hike to Lawrence Lake. It is located in a remote part of the wilderness. Most of the target plants I wish to study are located along the route. I am looking forward to this trip and hope to report on it slowly, small bits at a time, on the Forum.