Galanthus - February 2015

[annew]

I have to use my new word - here is a new-to-me iPoc, Josie. Some more photographed today - two Magnet-ites, Sibbertoft Magnet, and Little Magnet.
A bit of a favourite not often mentioned, Galanthus x allenii - anyone know the story behind this one?
Lastly, a friend gave me Prestwood White. My immediate thought was "what an unimaginative name for a snowdrop", but now it has flowered and it's a poc! Now I understand.

[johnstephen29]

Loverly drops Anne.

[David Nicholson]

.................A bit of a favourite not often mentioned, Galanthus x allenii - anyone know the story behind this one?................

Have a look at www.galanthus.co.uk/snowdrop/Allenii   and all will be revealed

[Blonde Ingrid]

Yesterday was delightful as some of my favourite 'yellows' decided to put in an appearance! A little sunshine and they looked perfect.

[Tim Ingram]

Anne, the really authorative description of Galanthus x allenii is given in Aaron Davis'  Kew monograph (summarised in the 'Snowdrop Book'). Aaron did the work involved in comparing the DNA profiles of different putative parents of allenii which indicates that it is a garden hybrid between G. alpinus and G. woronowii (originally it was thought to be a platyphyllus cross from nature and at a time when the nomenclature and knowledge of snowdrops was rather less well studied than it is now). It is a very distinctive snowdrop and from Aaron's discussion in his book there is no evidence of similar plants in the wild.

[Alan_b]

Thanks for giving us the authoritative answer, Tim.  It's a pity we don't see more DNA data on snowdrops; I'm sure that would tell us a lot we don't know and probably correct some false 'knowledge' also. 

[Irm]

The snow is gone in my Berlin garden, and here it is, my dearest galanthus    It wasn't easy to get one 

[Irm]

also nice

[mark smyth]

A s the Pointer Sisters said .. I'm so excited! Not one but two yellow seedlings in the garden.

One is a possible seedling of 'Wendy's Gold' with all yellow inners. editing to say Now that I've got a terrible photo it I see it doesn't have all yellow inners 

The other is an 'Ecusson d'Or' lookalike in a trough 5 away from the one where I have 'Ecusson d'Or'

'Ecusson d'Or'
The lookalike

Its so dull here for decent photos

[mark smyth]

I bought some of the yellow ovary gracilis off ebay. I know I took a chance but ....

[annew]

Thanks for the info on x allenii - I like it and as you say it is very distinctive.
Mark - well done! Congratulate your bees for us!! They do look exciting.

[mark smyth]

I never knew that about allenii.

Mine are doing so much better now that I've moved them from the warmer front garden to the north facing back garden

[mark smyth]

Thanks for giving us the authoritative answer, Tim.  It's a pity we don't see more DNA data on snowdrops; I'm sure that would tell us a lot we don't know and probably correct some false 'knowledge' also.

so true

[mark smyth]

Thanks for the info on x allenii - I like it and as you say it is very distinctive.
Mark - well done! Congratulate your bees for us!! They do look exciting.

I rarely see bees at this time of year but we do get some warm days. Two days last week were 9 and 10c so there could be bees about but I didn't see them.

The question has to be if all the Trym lookalikes can be named is my yellow tipped worth naming? I would have called it 'Goldfinch' but there is one already. Maybe 'Siskin' or 'Golden Oriole'

[Mavers]

I really like your yellow seedlings Mark.

I have some 1st year Wendy's Gold seedlings coming on & would be really pleased if they look as good as yours.