A three week Galanthus Blog

[Brian Ellis]

Some amazing finds John and Alan, puts me in mind of the nivalis illustrated in Jože Bavcon's book about snowdrops in Slovenia (I think).  What a great day.

[Jo]

What fun you two had. I guess with all that strangeness going on there's a good chance of finding a yellow with yellow outers too    maybe even a yellow walrus 

[emma T]

Yellow walrus........we can dream 

[Hans J]

Hi Emma ,

here is maybe something for you :

http://cgi.ebay.de/waldorf-zwergenkreis-schneeglockchen-gros-/330532775740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item4cf549e73c

Hans

[Maggi Young]

What an exciting snowdrop expedition.  I would have been having kittens if I found only one of those!  That one similar to Alan's but taller is very nice.  In a weird way I like the deformed ones with a petal coming out from above the ovary as well.  It reminds me of a tusk.....it could be called TUSK....a friend for Walrus    Were these all nivalis or was there a mixture of species in the second 'secret' location?

Great photos, thanks for showing us your finds.

I believe there is already a snowdrop named 'Tusk'   

These woods with snowdrops and eranthis are really lovely. Thanks to John and Alan for taking us along. 

[emma T]

Thank you Hans, thats lovely 

[Hans J]

Emma ,

a little later I found a lot od similar things more :

http://shop.ebay.de/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=Schneegl%C3%B6ckchen

Kind regards
Hans

[KentGardener]

Sorry I didn't complete yesterdays account but I had to leave home at 6am this morning and am only just back again....

After being delayed by the discovery of the yellows we made a mad dash to Anglesey Abbey for the snowdrop tour at 2pm.  Had 25 mins spare to grab a sandwich (I forgot how expensive things are in National Trust venues  ).

The tour was informative and interesting as always - and I was happily surprised this year to find that they have planted out a new area.  When I went previously I thoroughly enjoyed it (as shown in this thread: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1260.msg31618;topicseen#msg31618 ) but was pleasantly surprised to find a completely new area planted up with special snowdrops this year.  I would love to write more but am becoming increasingly knackered with all the train journeys I am doing (another 7 hours added to the total today when I popped up to Peterborough - but that entry to the blog will have to wait until tomorrow) so will let the photos speak for themselves.

All I will add that if you go to Anglesey Abbey and like snowsdrops you really should try and get a ticket for the tour of the specials.

1 - the start of the tour takes you through the wonderful 'Winter Walk'
2 - the amazing sight that greets you at the end of the 'Winter Walk'
3 - the start of the snowdrop tour
4 - a view of the ditch I had seen on my previous visit
5 - part of the new area with raised levels planted with "specials"
6 - another view of the new display area
7 - 'Ailwyn Fairhaven' in case you were wondering who the snowdrop was named after

[KentGardener]

And a few of the drops that Anglesey Abbey are growing to perfection.

1 - 'Diggory' (Why can't I grow this for more than two years without it disappearing!)
2 - 'Henrys White Lady'
3 - 'Kirtling Tower' - I have so wanted this since seeing it in 2008.  Last years swap for one of my 'Godfrey Owens' was unsuccessful as I ended up with a 'seedling of 'Kirtling Tower''.  
4 - one of those "love it or hate it" flowers.  'Moses Basket'
5 - 'Peter Joy' - I rather like the look of this one.  Like the lovely 'Pat Mason' but with the added bonus of puckered petals.  
6 - 'Dreycott Green Tips'
7 & 8 - a couple of 'nivalis spikey group'

[Martin Baxendale]

4 - one of those "love it or hate it" flowers.  'Moses Basket'

I wouldn't bother with it in my garden, but I imagine some people will like its oddness. To me it just looks deformed.

[kentish_lass]

Wow John - beautiful snowdrop photos.  I like that Moses Basket, another one for the wish list.  Henry's White Lady is so elegant and Peter Joy is beautiful.  Incidentally, I spotted Pat Mason on ebay last night (being sold by a reputable seller) and NO I am not bidding.  I have finished for this year!

I wondered John if maybe Diggory does not like the mix you make for your baskets and needs a slightly different mix?  Or maybe try it directly into the ground for a year?  Just a thought.

Anglesey Abbey looks beautiful and I must try to make it one day.  Thanks so much for taking the time to document your trip and share the lovely photos - especially after such long train journeys  

I look forward to hearing more over the next week - Enjoy yourself
Jennie

[Paddy Tobin]

Good reports, John. Lovely garden and good selection of snowdrops but you could keep those odd-shaped ones.

Paddy

[loes]

that ' Moses Basket' is really nice!I like the odd ones.

[daveyp1970]

I'm with loes moses basket is a winner for me as well,its one couldn't walk past without having a look.

[kentish_lass]

that ' Moses Basket' is really nice!I like the odd ones.

Me too Have you noticed the length of the ovary on Moses Basket?  Very long.  Strangely though, it is all of the 'odd shaped' snowdrops that I have lost this year 
Jennie