Margaret Owen, famous snowdrop collector has died

[mark smyth]

Very sad news that Margaret Owen died during the night. She hasn't been well following heart surgery a couple of months ago

[Maggi Young]

Oh dear, this is bad news indeed.  Margaret Owen was clearly one of the snowdrop greats and to lose both her and Ruby Baker in such a short period is very sad.

I suppose we always hope for the best when someone is ill but it is not given for all good wishes to be rewarded.
I know that Mark had really enjoyed his visits to the Owen Garden and helping out with snowdrop days there and will be sorry to lose a good friend.

Mrs Owen will be sorely missed and I am sure we all sent our kindest condolences to her Family.

How lovely that we had such nice reports from what turned out to be her final Snowdrop Day earlier this year. Here are two photos of Margaret in her garden this year


 -with her visitors- this photo from Richard Williams


and this photo of Margaret with her good friend, Jim Almond, from  Ross Barbour

[mark smyth]

Here's a photo of Margaret Glynn, left, and Margaret Owen

[Maggi Young]

Mark, that is a delightful photo of these two fine plantswomen. Margaret Glynn has her snowdrop collection in Northern Ireland.

The marvellous Margaret Owen was  famous for her super garden near Shrewsbury, which she opened every winter to give people the chance to see her very special snowdrop collection at the same time as raising money for charity, mostly for research into Multiple Sclerosis. The garden was of interest at other times as well, of course, but it was the galanthus collection which drew many visitors. 

Fittingly, Margaret is immortalised in "her" Galanthus 'Margaret Owen' as is her late husband, remembered by G. ‘Godfrey Owen’


This photo of 'Godfrey Owen' is from Mark Smyth's "Snowdropinfo" website


Photo of Margaret Owen in her garden in 2012,  by Ian Christie

[mark smyth]

Margaret needs a better snowdrop than one that is named after her
https://www.flickr.com/photos/evolution-plants/5370000419/

[mark smyth]

One more photo from the first time I visited England for snowdrop events way back in 2004 - the Gala, Margaret Owen's lunch and open day and Veronica Cross' lunch

[snowdropcollector]

Very sad news indeed, she will be missed in our little 'snowdropworld'.
Mark and Maggi, thank you for showing the pictures.

[chasw]

Such sad news

[emma T]

Sad times

[Ossy]

Thank you Margaret for the pleasures you have shared with us     Rest in peace, and God Bless

[mark smyth]

Let me tell you a couple of things that happened when I first met Margaret Owen.

You'll all know she made fabulous cakes for her lunches and open days. The minute I met her for the first time she thrust £20 in to my hand and said "go to Sainsbury's as fast as you can I've run out of plain chocolate". I'd never been to Shrewsbury before. I said I have no idea where it is or how to find my way back to your house. "Just go and get me the chocolate I need it now!" So off I went asking people and trying to remember how to get back.

Next morning we are up early. The two Margarets, O and G, have been up since 4am making cakes, soups and stews. As soon as I appear she thrusts car mats and a dust pan and brush in my hand and says "Go clean my car and put in the new mats". I went outside to have a look and go back inside. I said I never clean my own car and it's filthy. Your car is by far worse and I refuse to do it. "You'll do it immediately" Was the reply

[freddyvl]

Nice story of a real feminist ! 

[ichristie]

Hello all, we have indeed lost a very special lady who dedicated her energy to grow so many plants Galanthus was only one of her collections, I remember meeting her for the first time at Chelsea a good few years ago with John Massey we had a wonderful time and about 4 or 5 years ago she drove all the way to here stayed with us and we went snowdrop hunting at Brechin castle sheer magic, cheers Ian the Christie kind

[majallison]

Margaret was also hosting one of the RHS sponsored trials of hardy nerines, she was instrumental in getting this trial to take place & her energy, drive & generosity were remarkable.

[Brian Ellis]

That is so sad, her loss will be felt in many areas of the gardening world.