Author Topic: Snowdrop Gardens visited during 2008 (Read 48743 times)

mark smyth · « **Reply #105 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:55:54 PM »

Canada Geese

What a day you had.

I'm thinking next year all the forum members into Galanthus should have a get together. Would you fancy three great gardens in N Ireland or I come your way?

art600 · « **Reply #106 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:03:00 PM »

John

An appetite for more, I am ravenous

Martin Baxendale · « **Reply #107 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:03:11 PM »

Yes, keep going, John. Very enjoyable.

KentGardener · « **Reply #108 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:17:48 PM »

Quote from: Jane on February 11, 2008, 08:54:11 PM

I'm going to try and take some pictures at the RHS tomorrow as well!

Remember to say hello! Perhaps we should wear red/ pink/ orange carnations?.... or snowdrops in our lapels?.... When I saw Joe Sharmon at Glen Chantry he said he will be wearing an interesting buttonhole again this year.

As I said before - I will be the Eastenders Phil Mitchell lookalike probably dressed in black security style clothing - say Hi!

John

mark smyth · « **Reply #109 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:23:43 PM »

Or run the other way!

"yer name's not down yer not gettin' in"

Anthony Darby · « **Reply #110 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:27:28 PM »

Quote from: art600 on February 11, 2008, 09:03:00 PM

John

An appetite for more, I am ravenous

Would you eat Canada geese? $:-\$

Gerard Oud · « **Reply #111 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:35:36 PM »

Fantastic photo's John, i wish i had the opportunity to make such a photo's here in Holland.
We dont have such a beautiful locations like you have over there.

I still have a question, when i look at you on the photos, you must have been embedded in operation Snowdrop Storm haven't you?

It remembers at the time i did my service in 1987 in germany Bergenhohne, but your clothing is from a more recent datum isn't it. I was one of that crazy dutch truckdrivers that passed every collone on the pantzerringbahn at topspeed (125 kmh)

Brian Ellis · « **Reply #112 on:** February 11, 2008, 10:25:20 PM »

Quote

I don't intend to post unless there is an appetite for my continued ramblings?....

You know us better than that surely John? Some great photos, I feel a weekend in Hampshire coming on next Spring. It's good to have the mix of photos too. Many thanks

KentGardener · « **Reply #113 on:** February 12, 2008, 04:43:30 AM »

Quote from: mark smyth on February 11, 2008, 08:55:54 PM

I'm thinking next year all the forum members into Galanthus should have a get together. Would you fancy three great gardens in N Ireland or I come your way?

I am seriously considering spending a long weekend up in Maggi's neck of the woods in early 2009. Not yet sure if me and the driver could cope with the cooler temperatures up there, being the soft Southerners that we are.

John

mark smyth · « **Reply #114 on:** February 12, 2008, 08:10:51 AM »

Dont book anything until I confirm a Scottish event for next February. Someone I know from N Ireland might be giving a lecture on snowdrops or his bulbs. I wouldnt go as far north as Maggi and Ian, sorry Maggi and Ian, but stay around the border. But do go and visit them while in Scotland.

galanthophile · « **Reply #115 on:** February 12, 2008, 08:34:51 AM »

I visited Howick Hall in Northumebrland at the weekend for the snowdrop walk. There are very few gardens open in my region that I know of so this was a real treat. Fabulous drifts of mainly single nivalis with a few choice elwesii types here and there. It was a glorious sunny day too which encouraged the flowers to open. A great day!

Maggi Young · « **Reply #116 on:** February 12, 2008, 10:09:05 AM »

John.... you wuss... I can provide an electric blanket for Southern Softies! And enough cake to keep your driver occupied!!
Seriously, further south than us is better for more gold old snowie gardens.... not to say you couldn't risk a trip to the frozen north sometime just to prove that those camouflage outfits are not just for show

Maggi Young · « **Reply #117 on:** February 12, 2008, 10:12:41 AM »

Ann, I have heard lots before from friends about Howick hall... seems its a good place to visit at just about any season, eh?

KentGardener · « **Reply #118 on:** February 12, 2008, 05:45:17 PM »

Ann

I had a lovely yellow nivalis called 'sandersii ex Lowick' which I presume came from there. Unfortunately it succumbed to virus this year and now lives in my parents garden (which has a lot more space for the infirm). It still is a very strong colour despite the ugly leaves.

Did they have a sales area?

Regards

John

D'oh!!!

My dyslexia strikes again! I read Howick as Lowick!

Please ignore my post!

John

KentGardener · « **Reply #119 on:** February 13, 2008, 06:33:15 AM »

Tuesday Part One:

This could well be the last of my Galanthus ‘blog’ for 2008 (unless I find somewhere to visit this coming weekend – any offers?). Firstly I wish to start by apologising for the quality of the photographs. As the show is held inside I had to use the flash on my camera which is something I am not used to.

Yesterday I finished work in the London office early and headed over to Victoria and the RHS halls. It was the second monthly show of the year – and usually the best for seeing snowdrops. I arrived at midday to find the halls heaving with people, many of whom were there for the Galanthus. Upon entering the Hall the first stand I found was a great display of spring plants by Avon Bulbs. It was whilst looking at this fantastic display that I found SRGC forum member Alan_B.

(the Avon Bulbs stand)

(Angelique - I think?)

My next stop was the Foxgrove plants stand – this was a display made up entirely of snowdrops. Here I caught up with John Grimshaw and asked about the plants that are judged by the ‘Joint Rock Garden Plant Committee’ as I was unsure where to find these. John explained that they are tucked away in a committee room and would be shown to the public from 1pm onwards. I know, from personal experience, that these are often taken home within a couple of hours by the owners as they were gone by the time I got there in January! So if you want to see them, make sure you are in the halls between 1pm and 3pm! A slightly longer public display would be better I think

(Foxgrove stand)