Galanthus to mid February 2007

[Paddy Tobin]

Two snowdrops from the garden today - the good Irish snowdrop G. 'Straffan' and G. 'Selborne Greentip' which unfortunately is in dreadful condition. It is the only flower of it that I have and while I have waited patiently day by day for it to open for the camera, I find that when it eventually the outer petals had been significantly damaged by the recent heavy frosts we have had here. So, with my excuses made in advance, here they are.

Paddy

[ian mcenery]

Paddy just goes to show there's not much difference between them or as Maggi might say "it's just another green and white one" but we still love em   

[mark smyth]

just home from a very exciting Galanthus Gala weekend of events and private invites. 6 inches of snow on Saturady and not a drop today with double figure temperatures.

I have to say a big hello to the lurkers who came forward and said hello to me.

[mark smyth]

We went to one garden to see the collection of rare Galanthus aquaticus. Suggestions of cultivar names are needed

[fermi de Sousa]

Could they be pollinated by mosquito larvae? Or perhaps water striders?
A possible Cv name could be "Mortgagee"
cheers
fermi

[Alan_b]

This strange snowdrop was on display at the Galanthus Gala: I think it belonged to Phil Cornish.  It had a distinct orange tinge to it - by contrast with the normal white snowdrop to the right.

As an aside, I met Mark at the Gala and I must say that the little photograph that accompanies his posts does not quite do him justice.

[mark smyth]

thanks Alan. £10 in the post when I get your address.

So that makes two of us - Maggi last week and now me. I'm with the Young's and all the bulb growers this weekend so I'll get a new photo. The one to the left is from either last year or 2005. A Dutch guy and John Massey said I looked like the King himself - Elvis!

[hadacekf]

Paddy you are right it is Galanthus nivalis Scharlockii. It shows a pair of miniature, elongated donkey’s ears. Thank you.

[ian mcenery]

Here is one that I believe is very coveted at present. Though this poor flowere has been flattened under the snow. Perhaps I should have cleaned it up first but it was throwing it down with rain and I was too lazy. From a friend and local expert's garden G South Hayes

[Anthony Darby]

Ian, that's the ultimate prize.

[Alan_b]

Here is a rather nice snowdrop I found today.  You will see, I hope, that it is pure white on the outside ('scuse fingers).  The only colouration is on the inside of the inner petals and then only near the base.

I don't know much about white snowdrops.  The inner petals are their usual shape and size so I presume it is not 'poculiform'.  Is it likely to come back the same next year or could this be a one-off?  There were several other white snowdrops growing in the vicinity of this one.   

[mark smyth]

Alan can you take a photo of the white in the normal position? It looks great so look after it.

[Paddy Tobin]

What's this?

Did Ian Mc just show some enthusiasm for snowdrops?

Then again, G. 'South Hayes' is a very good one.

Alan, that's a nice one!

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

Ian McE:Perhaps I should have cleaned it up first 

Indeed you should, Ian. How would you like to have your picture plastered all over the world wide web with a dirty face?

[ian mcenery]

Paddy I do love the white things honest guv, but what I don't really understand is why!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It may be something to do with fact that I am impatient and can't wait for the next lot of lovelys in March April and May

Here is my favourite again Little Ben or Mighty Atom I now have 2 different opinions from quite knowlegeable galanthophiles - they do say with 2 experts that I should have got 3 opinions and I am beginning to think that this might apply to snowdrops. The one thing is certain that if I think a thing is good or has style or class its good for me so who cares.

Here is an example of the same plant growing in different locations in my garden. Who would dream that they were the same. One is 4/5 inches high with oversized flowers the other twice the height but probably smaller flowers. By the way the largest flower (and I like em big) are 38mm petals and are getting bigger by the day

Franz showed his Viridapice the other day and Paddy you probably quite rightly identified this as Scharlokii. Here again my Viradapice does have some split spathes as shown below. If Snowdrops were Crocuses we would be more likely to get a definitive answers but the area of galanthophilia the differences are often so small
By the way I'm not sure about South Hayes but I suppose it is must have