BULB LOG 05..........2nd February 2011

[mark smyth]

OH my .. I'm quivering like a betula leaf in the breeze




Bulb log 0511

[Maggi Young]

I see you've found the new 'drops then, Mark!
I edited your post to show the direct link.


The 'Greenflake' has been pictured on the Forum before, but I believe that 'Don Armstrong' is new to us all outside of British Columbia.
They are exceptionally beautiful. We think they are pure G. elwesii... they look right! 

[David Nicholson]

I see you've found the new 'drops then, Mark!
I edited your post to show the direct link.


The 'Greenflake' has been pictured on the Forum before, but I believe that 'Don Armstrong' is new to us all outside of British Columbia.
They are exceptionally beautiful. We think they are pure G. elwesii... they look right! 

Who's not a Galanthophile now then?

[johnw]

Maggi & The Trembling Aspen-

There were a couple of postings of 'Don Armstrong' last year without a name. At the time Vancouverite Pam Frost, who named it after our mutual friend, and I were concerned about using the name publicly until it was confirmed to be worthy and not a duplication.  If the name had been stated and then the bulb found to be a another cultivar we feared we couldn't use the name again and we desperately wanted to honour one of Canada's pioneering & most generous galanthophiles. We are not certain if it was a find in the Vancouver or Victoria area but it had been in safe-keeping for about 10 years.

We contacted John Grimshaw and he stated it was up to snuff and mighty worthy. So the name will officially be registered, appearing in Book 2 - honestly! It may be found on his 2010 blog.

With a lot of bureaucratic hassles it has made its way to several forumists.

Someday I will scan old slides of Don's garden.

Wow that Greenflake is something.  Love the inwardly kinking tips of the outers. I will have to send out a red alert to the Canadian snowhounds.

johnw - the snow - upwards of 40cm possible including some rain - has just started. Going home.

[Maggi Young]

Thanks  John - Ian thought that 'Don Armstrong ' was  going to be the "correct" name  for this lovely flower.  I'd forgotten that it had been shown in the Forum.... is there anything which hasn't been in the Forum, I hear you ask!!

I find the poculiform 'drops to be very appealing and Ian, of course, as the world wide self appointed chariman of Leucojocks  Anonymous, is drawn to them too.

 It was not the BD, however, who managed to get the Leucojum featured as a Snowdrop in that leaflet Ian the Christie kind  showed earlier.... at least, he's denying all knowledge quite strenuously!
 See Ian C's post here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6498.msg183171#msg183171

[johnw]

I find the poculiform 'drops to be very appealing and Ian, of course, as the world wide self appointed chariman of Leucojocks  Anonymous, is drawn to them too.

Slowly but surely the two of you will be drawn into this madness.  

johnw

[emma T]

I find the poculiform 'drops to be very appealing and Ian, of course, as the world wide self appointed chariman of Leucojocks  Anonymous, is drawn to them too.

Slowly but surely the two of you will be drawn into this madness.   

johnw

Just give in now, you know you want too 

[Martin Baxendale]

'Don Armstrong' really is a beauty, and Ian's photos show it off very well. 

[fermi de Sousa]

 It was not the BD, however, who managed to get the Leucojum featured as a Snowdrop in that leaflet Ian the Christie kind  showed earlier.... at least, he's denying all knowledge quite strenuously!
 See Ian C's post here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6498.msg183171#msg183171

Maggi,
It was probably an Australian as that's what most of the hoi polloi here think are snowdrops!
Ian,
those two dreeps could easily draw one into the white madness! Beware!
cheers
fermi

[Paddy Tobin]

By coincidence, I took photographs of G. 'Don Armstrong' yesterday afternoon and, despite best intentions, didn't get to post them on the forum last night - school runs and local garden club and, of course, the meeting in Devon.

This is its second year flowering and I think it is a wonderful snowdrop, perfectly clean white and perfectly regular - and, in this garden, up before the leucojums.

Paddy

Galanthus 'Don Armstrong'

[Maggi Young]

Paddy, how wonderful that 'Don Armstrong ' is enjoying life in Ireland. He's a fine strong lad here.
 Ian seems to have got the wrong end of the stick about how far this 'drop has spread.... good to hear that DA is a already a travelling man.

[Paddy Tobin]

Maggi,

I have 'Don Armstrong' since last year and it seems like it is going to be a good growing snowdrop. Look at the first photograph above - two flowers and several sideshoots, so I can see it bulking up reasonably quickly. Also, this is growing outdoors and is doing well despite the harsh weather we have had.

As John W. said, I had posted photographs last year but hadn't put the name to it as the name hadn't been finalised/agreed at that stage. I simply said it was a poculiform elwesii.

Hopefully, it will continue to grow well and we can spread it around. By all accounts, John W's in  particular, Don Armstrong was a wonderful person.

Paddy