Getting to know you

[JacquelineJ]

... and them the Snowdrops!


What criteria do you use when buying a snowdrop?
The newest rarest,  the name, single or double, price, fragrance?

What are your 3 favourite blooms
1st
2nd
3rd

I guess I should start but I don't really have the experience to have a definate opinion.

I do like fragrance, I do like a name e.g. Art Nouveau, that's probably sufficient for me to buy it for a resonable price. I'm edging towards doubles.

At this point I think I'd like

1st   Ailwyn, I love the yellow stamens

2nd  Flocon de Neige, again for it's stunning interior and for it's name... because I've lived in france so long that it actually does means Snowdrop to me

3rd  Trump or South Hayes,  I love the outer markings

Your turn 

[RichardW]

no more than £10  I much prefer the swapping route for acquiring new bulbs.

prefer distinctive singles with a nice drop shape, not really a fan of Trym etc.

not easy to pick 3 but No1 I think will always be...

1 Peardrop

2 Washfield Colesbourne
3 Mighty Atom

[Paddy Tobin]

Jacqueline,

Those which grow well are my preferred choices. I think there are few things so miserable as a single snowdrop and few so beautiful as a good spread.

In my garden 'Colossus' is filling this bill at the moment as there is a large clump of them in view as I write. 'Brenda Troyle', 'Atkinsii', 'Lavinia', 'Ophelia', 'Desdemona', 'Magnet', 'S. Arnott' 'Straffan' etc all perform similarly for me and are the ones I enjoy most. These are what would be regarded as "common" snowdrops but they are common because they grow well and that is a good recommendation.

Certainly, I enjoy seeing the new varieties but they are second in enjoyment to those in good numbers.

Hopefully, the attached photograph of 'Colossus' will appear. I have tried time and time again to post photographs recently and have given up now.

[JacquelineJ]

Wow, that's a beautiful clump of Colossus.

Nothing flowering here Paddy. You must be experiencing a mild climate this winter!

[Paddy Tobin]

Jacqueline,

We are experiencing a very mild spell so lots of snowdrops up and open. Having said that, the next few days are predicted to be cold ones.

Paddy

[Brian Ellis]

Mmm we've done this sort of thing before Jacqueline, but...

1 Lapwing, I would be so disappointed if I lost this distinctive snowdrop

2 Priscilla Bacon, a stunning snowdrop with local connections for me

3 reginae-olgae Alex Duguid, brightens many a winter day braving the bad weather and looking strong and perky

...but having said those there are at least three more, or four, or....

[Paddy Tobin]

Brian,

I have 'Lapwing' for only the last year or two but notice this year that it has increased at an enormous rate and I have a thick clump of flowers emerging at the moment so, as well as being pretty, it looks like it will be a good one to grow in the garden. That's the best kind in my mind.

Now, I'd better get back to doing a little in the garden for an hour or so.

[Brian Ellis]

Aah it is snowing here Paddy, I did an hour or so this morning and I'm still trying to warm up

[Alan_b]

• G. nivalis 'Green Light' - because I found it - and most people find it grows quite well
• G. elwesii 'Peter Gatehouse' flowers in November with pretty green inner petals
• G. elwesii 'Richard Ayres' - an attractive easy-to-grow double elwesii, named after someone who made some generous donations to the beginnings of my snowdrop collection.

[emma T]

1st Mrs 'Mrs McNamara'

2nd 'Walrus'

3rd 'Blewbury Tart'

and a 4th  'James Backhouse' because without coming across this plant many years ago i would not be here on this forum

 

[snowdropcollector]

Only three to name.........Can name a few... ....lots more.
I am a fan of snowdrops with large flowers, so think it will be;

1...Pat Mason
2...Washfield Colesbourne
3...Hill Poe

[Lesley Cox]

Given a choice, and we have very few choices for snowdrops here in NZ, I would buy simply because I liked it, not name, rarity or whatever. If it were ridiculously expensive as many snowdrops seem to be, I'd probably buy a dozen or more alpines instead.  :)I guess that's the difference between a collector and a gardener.

[Paddy Tobin]

Aah it is snowing here Paddy, I did an hour or so this morning and I'm still trying to warm up

I spent the day digging compost out of the compost bin and putting in out on beds. I'm knackered. Old age!

Also, half a dozen bags of leafmould onto snowdrop beds - and I found two snowdrops in one bag with shoots about two inches long and very pale.

[Paddy Tobin]

Given a choice, and we have very few choices for snowdrops here in NZ, I would buy simply because I liked it, not name, rarity or whatever. If it were ridiculously expensive as many snowdrops seem to be, I'd probably buy a dozen or more alpines instead.  :)I guess that's the difference between a collector and a gardener.

Proper attitude: make a garden and collect plants which add to the garden regardless of rarity, fashion etc. Many snowdrops do this remarkably well.

[steve owen]

... and them the Snowdrops!


What criteria do you use when buying a snowdrop?
The newest rarest,  the name, single or double, price, fragrance?

What are your 3 favourite blooms
1st
2nd
3rd

I guess I should start but I don't really have the experience to have a definate opinion.

I do like fragrance, I do like a name e.g. Art Nouveau, that's probably sufficient for me to buy it for a resonable price. I'm edging towards doubles.

At this point I think I'd like

1st   Ailwyn, I love the yellow stamens

2nd  Flocon de Neige, again for it's stunning interior and for it's name... because I've lived in france so long that it actually does means Snowdrop to me

3rd  Trump or South Hayes,  I love the outer markings

Your turn 

Jacqueline
Please believe this isn't intended to put you off.
I notice you have listed some of the rare and expensive. Sometimes the rare and expensive ones are the most eager to quickly depart this life for snowdrop heaven. Have you considered a strategy of by all means buying one or two pricey varieties but backed by a few less exotic but hardy and proven good growers (I won't give examples but there are plenty).  That way you get rapid bulking-up and a good display from those old-dependables to keep you motivated whilst you get your prayer mat out for those which cost a fortune but have little will to live. Bitter experience!
Steve