Candlemas Day snowdrop sale

[RichardW]

I picked up Gerard Parker & Lambrook Greensleeves with very nice bright green foliage which really stood out & both just within budget.

had a long list for someone else but didn't see any of them, probably too slow...

[Gail]

Sorry I didn't say hello David - I'm in your second picture; back view in green jacket. I hadn't realised it was Candlemas. It was a lovely morning and nice to see so many happy people. I was very restrained (or not got sharp enough elbows) and just bought a 'Grumpy' from Glen Chantry.
I'll add an image of Art parting with more of his money....

[Brian Ellis]

Ooh - I can feel the euphoria just looking at the photos.  So come on - who got Glenchantress, Miss Wilmott, Green Tear?  What super things did everyone get?  Wish I was better on the road I would love to have gone but am wealthier for staying home 

No Glenchantress or Miss Willmott on Wol and Sue's list ...and Joe wasn't there to sell Green Tear

[David King]

Sorry I didn't say hello David - I'm in your second picture; back view in green jacket.

If you are at the Gala next weekend say hello.  I expect I shall be wandering around with my usual DLSR camera which I didn't take today as I had instructions to find certain snowdrops!

[RichardW]

Nice to see you again Gail, sorry for not recognising you & saying hello, I have a terrible memory for faces, names, and just about everything else 

Sorry I didn't say hello David - I'm in your second picture; back view in green jacket. I hadn't realised it was Candlemas. It was a lovely morning and nice to see so many happy people. I was very restrained (or not got sharp enough elbows) and just bought a 'Grumpy' from Glen Chantry.
I'll add an image of Art parting with more of his money....

[KentGardener]

Great pics Mr King.  There must have been some great stuff for sale as I can see Biggles in one pic with THREE blue bags bursting at the seams!   

I am so skint now this month that I am glad I wasn't there as I would have been after Arthur to lend me more money  - and it looks from a few pics that he was spending his cash reserve himself today...   

[kentish_lass]

I picked up Gerard Parker & Lambrook Greensleeves with very nice bright green foliage which really stood out & both just within budget.

had a long list for someone else but didn't see any of them, probably too slow...

Richard I bought Lambrook Greensleeves at Myddleton House last year - I really like it too.  Gerard Parker is a favourite and by mistake last year I bought it twice which is just as well as one pot perished in the wet weather we had for so long.  The other is in the ground and doing fine. 

I can't work out if Gerard Parker is bigger than Chequers at the moment - would really need to have them growing well in the ground side by side to be sure - Chequers does have a second scape with a big flower.  Does anyone grow both and have any views on a size comparison?

[RichardW]

Am sure it was Gerard Parker I spent too long thinking about at Myddleton last year then was sold out, I was really after large flowers today and it stood out on the Avon bulbs table, Greensleeves is just the sort of plant I was looking for, insta buy for me 

[kGarden]

Drat and fizz, I meant to say make yourself known to us all kGarden, I hope you spoke to some of us?

I did speak to a few people, but no idea if it was any of you - skipped my mind to ask, sorry.  We got there bang on opening time, and the place was already packed; tell me no one camped out overnight, right?!!

First time for me and Mrs K to see such a range of varieties, fascinating. I was pleasantly surprised at the prices; I had a list with prices that I had gleaned from various suppliers websites (which I had compiled as my Max for any bids on eBay - been overbid on everything there so far).  Everything I saw today was cheaper, although not everything on my list was available and  I bought some things that were not on my list  !!

But we think you are all mad. Collecting Roses would mean meetings on nice sunny Summer days, you lot all togged up in wooly hats and thick coats are made of hardy stuff

Will be back at Harvey's in the Spring on the lookout for some shade plants for a new raised bed we have under the trees; their nursery looks promising, and I would probably never have known it was on my doorstep but for this opportunity.

Hope everyone got what you were wishing for.

[RichardW]

But we think you are all mad.

Probably, after going to Myddleton last year (think it was -9 when I left home  ) almost definitely.

[art600]

I thoroughly enjoyed the day.  Could not miss Richard today as he was next in the queue.

I was, however, shocked at the difference in price between sellers e.g. Wendy's Gold varied from £12 to £18 

I cannot imagine anyone at this gathering paying £18, although I know that people have paid more on EBay.

My last visit during this season.   I am very pleased with my purchases.

[Brian Ellis]

I did speak to a few people, but no idea if it was any of you - skipped my mind to ask, sorry.  We got there bang on opening time, and the place was already packed; tell me no one camped out overnight, right?!!

Well I hope it was some of us, if you got there bang on opening time I expect we were surging in in front of you   The queue was forming before 9.15 when we arrived - always the way with snowdrop sales.  More wonderful snowdrops today at Blacksmiths Cottage Snowdrop Day near Diss, if you are not too far away that is an annual sale worth coming to (with two talks in the morning, today from Ian Christie on Scottish Snowdrops and Richard Hobbs on some Norfolk Snowdrops - and a few others).  Sellers included Mike Broadhurst and Avon Bulbs again with Joe Sharman and other local sellers - there were some bargains to be had.  Also other spring bulbs and plants.

You are quite right thinking we are mad, but we are also happy, and some of us are frozen again today!  It's good that you found some bargains and other snowdrops that you found attractive that you hadn't discovered before.

[steve owen]

Great pics Mr King.  There must have been some great stuff for sale as I can see Biggles in one pic with THREE blue bags bursting at the seams!   

Guilty of tring to leave the scene of a crime. But one of the bags was full of aconites in pots. Reduced sentence?
Nice to come across John and Brenda Foster selling some top class plants.

Pity there weren't some Norfolk snowdrops from local sellers at Blacksmiths Cottage.  Memo to snowdrop do organisers: try and get local growers selling local varieties that can't be got from the big nurseries, not just snowdrops but primulas or narcissi.

BTW : can one come across Kent-originating snowdrops from local sellers at the Goodnestone Park do?

BTW No.2: the Harveys do the previous day seemed very well-organised - not something you could accuse every snowdrop do of. So take a bow Roger if you have time to lurk this thread and well done your tearoom staff - stars every one.

[KentGardener]

BTW : can one come across Kent-originating snowdrops from local sellers at the Goodnestone Park do?

Some years they can be found Steve.  But there is never a guarantee.

That is where I got my original 'Rogers Rough' from the owner.

[chasw]

Just home ,after visiting Blacksmiths cottage today,twas good to meet up with some of the Norfolk group,had a little de tour on the way home and visited Brian and Davids garden, spent a very pleasant afternoon there ,many thanks for your hospitality