Galanthus in February 2013

[MR GRUMPY]

This is the second year my reginae-olgae ssp vernalis have had dots instead of a solid inner mark. They came like this from a local snowdrop garden. The three are the same. Should I chip now or wait another year?

I would always chip,because with a little look ,more plants is never a bad thing.It does look good.

[MR GRUMPY]

Here are a couple of photo's of 'David Baker'.It say's in the catalogues that this snowdrop is stable.My plants are not stable at all.Should i send it back? or rename this wierdo?..
1. David Baker
2. David Baker
3. David Baker
4. David Baker

[mark smyth]

very strange, Steve.

Note to self - stop feeding the birds near snowdrops. They show no respect to my Primrose Walburg.

I saw Chaffinches literally pulling apart plants to set at sunflower seeds they couldn't reach

[MR GRUMPY]

Dont tell me about birds.I watched pheasant walk round my collection,snipping flowers from each clump it walked passed.Blackbirds think my pots of seedlings are food for them.
It not just snowdrops.On our farm crows have manged to eat a fourteen acre field in three weeks.
Anyway,getting off subject.Here's some more little white wonder's.
1. Nigel Chadwick....From B.C.T.
2. Fosterii....Growing outside unprotected for five years.
3. Richard Handscombe.......From B.C.T....Always perfect double  flower's,with green tips.
4. Madelaine ....Three years old and the second fastest yellow i grow.

[art600]

How many years did it take for 'Madelaine' to achieve the magnificent clump?

Are the bulbs planted in lattice pots?   What is your soil type, and do you add anything e.g. grit?

[Maggi Young]

It not just snowdrops.On our farm crows have manged to eat a fourteen acre field in three weeks

Fair enough - that would make anyone Grumpy!

[freddyvl]

In the garden today (no sun for days, so closed flowers except the double ones):
. 'Richard Ayres'
. niv. 'Doncaster's Double Charmer'
. niv. 'La Morinière'
. 'Wasp'

[freddyvl]

. 'Greenfinch'
. elw. 'Ivy Cottage Green Tips'
. 'Betty Hansell'
. niv. 'Witchwood'

[freddyvl]

And a few yellow ones:
. niv. Sandersii Gp
. 'Fiona's Gold'
. 'Primrose Warburg'
. 'Spindlestone Surprise'
. plic. 'Sarah Dumont'
. niv. Sandersii Gp 'Norfolk Blonde'

[freddyvl]

Second part:

[johnw]

A beautifully grown lot there Freddy.   And especially nice to see  'La Morinière'!

johnw

[JacquelineJ]

Really beautiful photo's Freddy.  I seem to be developing a passion for the yellows and it's nice to be able to compare your clumps.

[TC]

As the sun was out today and it was almost warm, I went back to Fullarton woods to have a look at the snowdrops.  As anticipated, they were fully opened and were more photogenic than the last batch I took.  I looked at some of the larger clumps I could see, and get to.
In one clump I counted 100 flowers.  Most of the others averaged between 20 to 60.
Multiplying the average number per square metre by the area under flower was a bit subjective but I came out at a staggering figure of about 1 million blooms !
How long it would take a single bulb to bulk up to 100 I have no idea but it must be quite a time.

[TC]

A few more

[KentGardener]

The wood is looking lovely as always Tom.   

Great pictures Steve - I also found Madeleine to be a very fast increaser.

Freddy - all look lovely - looking forward to seeing them myself next year.   

'Witchwood' also attracted my attention here today - pics 1 and 2.

Pic 3 - 'Naughton' has been in flower for a couple of weeks.