elwesii 'Doris Page'

[johnw]

Chris (the snopwdropman)

You mentioned an interest in new Canadian snowdrops.  Here's one I noticed in bloom in the greenhouse yesterday. I had forgotten about it entirely & hadn't even recorded in my inventory.

That upper mark reminds me of a horse's tooth. I love the way the inner segments curve inwards and the big green tooth accentuates the effect with its shadings.

I have to wonder if it has ever been registered. I sent a shot to John Grimshaw for the  records.

johnw

[KentGardener]

Hi John

thanks for the posting - it is nice to know what is being grown on the other side of the ocean.

Pretty as 'Doris Page' is with her wonderful voluptuous, full petals - I must admit that of the increasing number of elwesii that are being named, I find myself wondering if they are all really that different to deserve a name?....

Hope I haven't rocked the boat too much!

regards

John

[Martin Baxendale]

I have to agree with John. It's very tempting for growers to name every little variation in elwesii marking that they come across (and there are lot of variations in elwesii marks). But a plant and flower really should stand out from the crowd to be worth giving a name.

[Maggi Young]

If a Galanthus is registered, would it show up in these pages from the RHS?....
http://www.rhs.org.uk/databases/summary2.asp?crit=Galanthus&Genus=Galanthus


Is this the nearest there is to the equivalent of the Narcissus register database?

[johnw]

Maggi - Thanks  for  the link. I did get as far as I could on the RHS website last night researching Rosemary Burnham. Indeed it is registered but by whom is my question.  I have a query in to the RHS.

John & Martin - You may well be right on the naming of too many cultivars and Doris Page in particular.  Do remember we live on this side of the Atlantic and there are virtually no nurseries specializing in snowdrops for 3000 miles west to 2000 south.  We envy you Galanthus-rich folks that can pop round to visit all those wonderful gardens, fellow friends and specialty nurseries.  (Caveat - we found out a routine 1 hr day trip of 60 miles in the UK is more like a 2.5 hr trip!) And then those wonderful natural populations in cemeteries and abbies etc

regards

johnw   

[Maggi Young]

I find it frustrating that there are not more facilities on the RHS site, such as the searchable narcissus database......I would think that that would be more in keeping with their charity remit to expand knowledge than some of the "stuff" they do!  Moan moan! Mump Mump!

[Martin Baxendale]

John, 'Doris Page' looks very nice, and I'm sure there are plenty of people over here too who would want to give an attractive elwesii like that a name. Given the plethora of names accumulating over this side of the pond, I guess we can hardly blame growers on the other side for naming the odd snowdrop or two! 

[Anthony Darby]

I have to agree with John. It's very tempting for growers to name every little variation in elwesii marking that they come across (and there are lot of variations in elwesii marks). But a plant and flower really should stand out from the crowd to be worth giving a name.

Yes, I have 'Handel', 'Purcel' and 'Edward Elgar' (why not just Elgar?) and can't for the life of me tell which is which, certainly with the last two?

[Maggi Young]

I guess we can hardly blame growers on the other side for naming the odd snowdrop or two!

Indeed, given the difficulties, both existing and liable to increase, in the transfer of plant material between countries, it is to be expected that growers in the Americas and Australasia will want to establish their own varieties.

[Anthony Darby]

I think it's Sandy Leven's fault!

[Maggi Young]

I think it's Sandy Leven's fault!

Why, because he and Anne were collecting snowies before most of us in Scotland?? 

[Anthony Darby]

No. because he said "put a different label on it and I'd buy it".

[Maggi Young]

So he did! I had already forgotten! Sorry!

[johnw]

I  agree a named plant should stand up against the very best, I've argued that for rhododendrons & magnolias.  They come, they go and disappear into oblivion, chew up perfectly good names.  The reputations of husbands, wives and pets tarnished forever. The same standards for Galanthus are in order.

Before any more reputations fall, here is a shot of Hill Poe emerging. This is why we grow snowdrops, no flowers or labels necessary sometimes. Or registrations!

johnw

[Maggi Young]

The reputations of husbands, wives and pets tarnished forever.

Sad, but true 

What a super photo, John... what type of camera do you use?