Today's entry is a slight cheat as I didn't actually visit anywhere!
But as I was working from home today a few of the Kent Galanthophiles popped over to see me. It had to be a quick wizz round the garden as I was on my lunch break and one of my visitors also needed to be away to collect the kids from school.
I checked the weather first thing and even though sun was expected I knew it wouldn't hit my shaded garden - so I went and cut a few flowers to bring indoors so that we would have something to look at. SRGC member Uli very kindly gave me a present some months ago of a perspex and test tube vase - today was my first chance to use it. I first saw this way of displaying selected flowers at Glen Chantry 5 or 6 years ago. I have fond memories of Glen Chantry, while I was wandering round the beautiful garden I remember Ian spending a lot of time with 2 people in wheel chairs who could not get round the garden but they were all discussing and enjoying Wol and Sue's Galanthus up close in the vases.
Anyway - enough of my reminiscing on times past - and back to today.
Parking in my street is atrocious! Caroline and Julie Millen had to drive round the block 3 times to find a parking space! When I opened the front door I was presented with a pot full of Caroline's home made vegetable soup as it had been all sold out on my blog of their garden. Thank you.
They also, overly generously and completely unexpectedly, gave me a Kentish snowdrop I have not come across before called 'Doddington'. Still in tight bud but I look forward to seeing what it turns out to look like.
Tim Ingram arrived about 10 minutes later - his closest parking space was three streets away!
(Sorry for anyone who visits my mid terrace spot on weekdays as this can often happen. Sunday is the best day to come here regarding parking). Tim also came bearing gifts. Alan - there is one of Tim's tall Galanthus caucasicus (from Kath Dryden) here for you.
I now have my first Cyclamen pseudibericum to try in the genetic mix here.
(Gifts really are not needed to visit my little place - having the opportunity to spend time in the garden with like minded gardening friends is lovely in itself).
I had a very enjoyable hour in the garden talking snowdrops and cyclamen before I had to chuck my guests out so that I could continue my work.
A few pics:
1 - Guests in the garden
2 - The indoors 'display'
3 - "Lurkers"
(Julie and Caroline Millen)
