Margaret Owen's snowdrop day

[mark smyth]

Paddy the whole plnt has a paleness about it. When I get home I'll take a photo of the whole plant

[Anthony Darby]

Seems to be defying gravity?

[Maggi Young]

Now Maggi, why was that x nigercorsis sideways when the original is not? Am I missing something?

johnw

I haven't the foggiest, john..... but it's fine now 

[Tony Willis]

The only thing worse than a yellow hellebore is a yellow one with red spots on it,it just shows we all like different things and I would not have one in the garden.

[Brian Ellis]

Mark I am sure if you had cleared it with John Massey prior to your visit you could have seen both the garden and collection.  We did last year and he was ever so helpful, even showing us round himself. 

[David Nicholson]

I am jealous, none of my "yellow" hellies are THAT yellow

You should be so lucky, I bought one that turned out to be a washy shade of pink (not from Ashwood of course) 

[Martin Baxendale]

Mark, I vaguely recall you saying previously something about Margaret Owen removing the flowers from her special snowdrops and only leaving the more ordinary ones for people to see on her open day (to reduce the theft risk), or is my memory playing tricks on me? If that's the case, I'm not sure how worthwhile the trip would be for a snowdrop enthusiast - unless she keeps the removed flowers in vases for visitors to see. Can you enlighten me?

[jamouatt]

I was in Stourbridge today so could not resist popping into Ashwood after viewing Mark's yellow hellebore. Sad to say they had a special Hellebore weekend last weekend and had no pure yellows left, Kevin kindly looked all through his stock for me. The quality and range of plants was most impressive. Just had to put my name in the book for a yellow/yellow for next year.
John.M

PS John.M sounds better to me than Maggi's suggestion of "Jammy Donut" if no one else uses it.

[Maggi Young]

PS John.M sounds better to me than Maggi's suggestion of "Jammy Donut" if no one else uses it.

Spoilsport!  And Jammy donuts are so yummy, too. Ah well, as you wish!

[jamouatt]

I am trying to loose weight to save my knees a bit Maggi.

[Anthony Darby]

I prefer Jammy Dodgers.

[jamouatt]

Had a very interesting day at Margaret's. No shortage of snowdrops etc in flower also quantity of yellow coated personnel making sure they all stayed in the ground. The sales bench was kept topped up by Margaret, all the bulbs offered were firm unlike some I purchased recently. Had a sneak view of a good selection of single and double Hellebores hidden in the shed which had just come from Ashwood's.

Indebted to you Mark for drawing our attention to the open day at Acton Piggot.

[mark smyth]

John you didnt say hello to me!

Martin she doesnt remove the flower from every special only those highly likly to go walkies like the 5 petal yellow that has occurred. Did I see it? No.

I was at Ashwwods also and got a private tour of John's garden. Totally amazing. He says there is now a waiting list for yellows that will be available in 2009 and 2010. The new breeding of yellow picotees - the so called Neon Range- look great. The flowers look sideways or up due to short flower stems

[jamouatt]

A few photos of snowdrops which caught my eye at Margaret's.

Ruby Ba (can't read the rest)
Can't read label
close up of "can't read label"
Lutescens
Spetchley Yellow

John.M

[jamouatt]

Last few

Madaleine
Madaleine
Bill Clark
Bill Clark
Flocon Du Neige
Flocon Du Neige

Spellings as per labels

John.M