Galanthus 'Ailwyn'

[Maggi Young]

Some months ago there were a few messages lost about this rather lovely neat double snowdrop. I am unable to reproduce those posts here but , I have tried to bring some of the references to this 'drop together in this page.... I hope that this may prove useful to those of you interested in this variety.

[Maggi Young]

There was discussion about the similarities between 'Ailwyn' and 'Lady Fairhaven'
but it seems the opinion of those who should know such things, is that the two are variations of the same.

Comment from Brian Ellis: …..regarding Lady Fairhaven, Mike Broadhurst said  "We are not sure whether  it really exists or is just a seasonal variation of Ailwyn."

 
 AD's post on #20 on: March 25, 2010, 11:20:33 PM
www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4793.msg144139#msg144139   'Ailwyn' is so beautiful when viewed from below.




Contrasting with Ailwyn….
"Esther Merton is for me the most perfect double I have seen - better and daintier than Ailwyn. Too early for me to say how easy it is to grow." Steve Owen



http://www.gartenlinksammlung.de/Grafiken/reisefotos/england/galanthour_2010/ailwyn3.JPG   foto Maria Zauberfee  ))

 http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5002.msg136215#msg136215 clump pic from John M in 2010
 
http://www.galanthus-online.de/kultivare-a-d/ailwyn.html  Günter Waldorf   several photos


http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/Plant_Profiles/Hybrids_Double/ailwyn/ailwyn.htm  lovely photos on Janet’s site.
 

[Brian Ellis]

All I will say is that I agree with Steve

[Alan_b]

Thank you very much indeed for this, Maggi.

My memory of the original lost thread was that the considered opinion from Anglesey Abbey was that "Lady Fairhaven" and "Ailwyn" were one and the same snowdrop (any apparent differences being just a seasonal variation).  I think this information was in a direct post from Mike Broadhurst (who works as a volunteer at Anglesey Abbey, amongst his other activities) and represented an update on the less definite comment from Brain Ellis.  

[Maggi Young]

I don't think Michael B. has been around since the Spring. I doubt he will have changed his opinion.

[Brian Ellis]

Alan is quite right Maggi as Mike will no doubt say.

[Maggi Young]

 I was intrigued by the neatness of 'Ailwyn'.... but I must say that 'Esther Merton' does appear to be very sweet.... what is the history of this 'drop?

[Brian Ellis]

Brain Ellis.  

 

[Maggi Young]

Brain Ellis.  

 

I noticed that.... thought it was just a typo but perhaps you've been campaigning for your true status, Brian ? !!

[Brian Ellis]

perhaps you've been campaigning for your true status, Brian ? !!

What Maggi, Moi??   

[steve owen]

I was intrigued by the neatness of 'Ailwyn'.... but I must say that 'Esther Merton' does appear to be very sweet.... what is the history of this 'drop?

Oh dear Maggi, now I must rack my unreliable memory. My photos come from a display pot at the March 2010 RHS Show, possibly on the Avon Stand but I wouldn't swear to that. Esther Merton has a smaller, daintier, less obviously-rounded flower head than Ailwyn. As beautiful as Trumps for my money. I was luck enough to obtain a bulb earlier this year from a source I ought not to name and now wait to see if she reappears and begins to prosper. Does Snowdropman have any info as to its origins?
Steve

[Brian Ellis]

Esther Merton has a smaller, daintier, less obviously-rounded flower head than Ailwyn... Does Snowdropman have any info as to its origins?

I hope, now my Eucomis fix is over for the year the sap is rising and I am most interested in this beautiful drop...

 

[Maggi Young]

Esther Merton is/was an Irish gardener, I think...... clues may lie across the Irish sea.... or not... as the case may be.... ha ving found a reference to aplant said to have been given by EM "from Irleand"  I now find one to the " Berkshire garden of the late Esther Merton".   Perhaps EM had had that first plant,( a hellebore, I think) from Ireland....  

 Further edit... it was a hellebore.... originally from Ireland... I foiund a reference to it by Graham Rice who explains all! http://grahamrice.com/hellebore/species/niger/index.html

[snowdropman]

G. 'Esther Merton' - came from the garden of the Old Rectory, Burghfield, Berkshire, a Grade 2* Listed 17th & 18th century house, the home of the late Ralph & Esther Merton. It was named by Audrey Vockins.

See photo, which was taken at Colesbourne Park, at http://www.andreajones.co.uk/_imgCache/62fd8538c274a33842f9dc5f07cb68df.jpg

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, Chris, you were writing as I edited my post..... thanks for this information.

 The Rectory sounds like a nice place....http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article4625050.ece