Snowdrop Varieties - Where Are They Now?

[Martin Baxendale]

Lesley, I think the rules for publishing a new species or sub-species are much more rigorous. For garden cultivars I think it's just a case of publication of the name with a general description (not necessarily very botanical or in Latin). 

[Maggi Young]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727141321.htm

and full report, I think....

http://www.pensoft.net/journals/phytokeys/article/1850/abstract/outcomes-of-the-2011-botanical-nomenclature-section-at-the-xviii-international-botanical-congress        

[Martin Baxendale]

Thanks Maggi. I see they're now allowing the description of new plant taxa in either Latin or English rather than insisting on Latin.

[Lesley Cox]

Lesley, I think the rules for publishing a new species or sub-species are much more rigorous. For garden cultivars I think it's just a case of publication of the name with a general description (not necessarily very botanical or in Latin).  

Well that's what I meant Martin tho' maybe didn't say it very well. A new species or subspecies (like Crocus fauseri) certainly has to go the whole hog but I've always seen the word "authoritative" included for publishing a new cultivar by which I would take to mean somewhere like "The Garden,"  The AGS Bulletin or similar. Probably not our Forum as so many different opinions are given and posted. Perhaps the rules are relaxed somewhat over recent years. Everything I thought I knew was from the days when my brain worked at full strength but now, I'm lucky to have it working efficiently before lunch and probably only after 3 cups of coffee.

Anyway, I should keep well away from all discussions about snowdrops. Only put my foot in it and offend someone.

[Martin Baxendale]

Hi Lesley. I don't know all the ins and outs of it. I'm just going by my vague recollection of what a speaker told us at a recent snowdrop gala about publishing snowdrop names. I think the general theme was that the definition of an suitable publication had been relaxed to the extent that for a cultivar even a plant catalogue could count as publication.

[snowdropman]

79 is still nearly 15% of the named snowdrop universe as listed in the Snowdrops book - still a surprisingly high proportion.  Again, if anyone knows of the existence of any of these long-lost snowdrops, please message me, if preferred off-line.

I am sure that I can help with information about quite a few of the snowdrops that you are still trying to track down.

As time permits, I will send a number of separate posts, but let us start with those that do not exist and/or which have gone to snowdrop heaven viz

‘Eva Turner’ – as already mentioned on this thread by Brian Ellis, this was originally named for Barrie Carson-Turner’s mother. It was found in a churchyard, very near to the spot where ‘Chadwick’s Cream’ had been discovered a year or two earlier. Upon detailed examination, when both plants were side by side and in full bloom, Barrie Carson-Turner & Robert Marshall (who along with Nigel Chadwick, discovered both plants) determined that the two plants were clearly the same as there were no discernible differences between them. ‘Eva Turner’ was never distributed and the name has now been abandoned.

‘Mystra’ – Ruby Baker/Ronald Mackenzie have confirmed that this plant is now extinct and that it was never distributed.

‘Rabbit Ears’ – Lesley Cox wrote, on the SRGC Forum on 2nd May 2007 “I had a chat with Don Schofield from Mt Tomah…..He also says that the `Rabbit Ears' (from Michael Carle) referred to a split spathe and is, in fact just G. n. `Scharlockii.' When it produced just 2 petals at one stage, the `Rabbit Ears' name was applied but since then it has produced 3 petals, as normal. Storm in a teacup.”

‘Silvia’ – ‘Snowdrops’ describes it as similar to Blonde Inge’ but a photo published in a German magazine in, I believe, the early 2000’s showed a very much deeper yellow form. ‘Silvia’ was found in the meadow of a cemetery near Oberursel by a Mrs Kupferschmidt. She kept one bulb & gave one to a Belgian. Her bulb died & the Belgian later told her that the other bulb had also been lost as a result of leaving it unplunged on a table outside in severe weather. Presumed lost!

[snowdropman]

Your revised 'Where are They Now' list contains the following 24 Australian snowdrops – partly because there are only a handful of serious snowdrop collectors in Australia, and probably mainly because of the CITES regulations, only a few Australian snowdrops have found their way to the UK.

Photo’s of some of them can be found in the SRGC archives.

I can confirm that I have knowledge that 22 of them are definitely alive and kicking viz

August
Beenak   
Bob Nelson
Donna Buang
Elcatus
Friedl
Genet's Giant
Gladysdale
Hardwick
Hazeldene   
Hoddles Creek   
Ida Maud
Julie
July   
June     
Katie Campbell
Melbourne
Norm's Late
Otto Fauser
Powelltown
Wandin       
Warburton   


I have not yet come across anyone who is growing G. elwesii var. monostictus ‘Westburn’ but, as this was only one of about 20 snowdrops named and distributed by Norm Collins, and these others are all still alive, there is presently no reason to assume that this particular snowdrop has expired.

As detailed elsewhere ‘Rabbit Ears’ is no more!

[KentGardener]

Anyway, I should keep well away from all discussions about snowdrops. Only put my foot in it and offend someone.

Don't be silly Lesley - if you keep away we will never manage to convert you   

[snowdropman]

... I presume Diane Broughton originates from a snowdrop found at Anglesey Abbey so they might know if it still exists. 

So much for that idea.  I spoke to the deputy head (?) gardener at Anglesey Abbey today.  He confirmed that "Diane Broughton" originates from Anglesey Abbey but they don't have it there; he has never even seen one!

Alan - I haven't seen Michael Broadhurst around on the Forum for a while, but perhaps he might know of the fate of this snowdrop?

[Brian Ellis]

Alan - I haven't seen Michael Broadhurst around on the Forum for a while, but perhaps he might know of the fate of this snowdrop?

If Mike isn't on for a while we can always ask him on Saturday.

Good to have you back Chris, thanks for sharing your information, we have missed your input

[snowdropman]

Alan - I haven't seen Michael Broadhurst around on the Forum for a while, but perhaps he might know of the fate of this snowdrop?

If Mike isn't on for a while we can always ask him on Saturday.

Good to have you back Chris, thanks for sharing your information, we have missed your input

Brian - That would be good if you can ask Mike & glad to be back

[steve owen]

Chris

Thanks for this input, really helpful.

[Alan_b]

Good to have you back Chris, thanks for sharing your information, we have missed your input

Just what I was thinking!

[steve owen]

Now Chevrons, Dorothy Lucking, Double Top, Greenpeace and riz. Ismail have all appeared.

[Lesley Cox]

Anyway, I should keep well away from all discussions about snowdrops. Only put my foot in it and offend someone.

Don't be silly Lesley - if you keep away we will never manage to convert you   

I'm already converted John, always loved the ones I have, it's just that so many have never seen the light of a southern hemisphere day, or the dark under the soil here. Make no mistake I really love snowdrops, but am obsessed by irises and all seeds of course.

Good if descriptions of plants can now be in English as well as or instead of Latin. It seems the taxonomists have at last caught up with the church which permits mass to be said in English or the language of any country instead of Latin. After all, not much point if no-one can understand it. I'm afraid I don't hear it in any language.