Galanthus Events 2009

[Martin Baxendale]

Paddy, I stopped buying 'Atkinsii' look-alikes a while ago, to see what they were like, as it seemed fairly pointless. I know there are people who have insisted that what was 'found' was a completely new cultivar, presumably a seedling, and maybe some are, but I don't think it's impossible that in some cases an ancient cultivar like 'Atkinsii' might have found its way into a garden decades ago, been forgotten about, then 'discovered' many years later as something 'new'. Then again, as I'm finding with my breeding programme, so many snowdrop seedlings look like others that it's quite possible a new 'Atkinsii' could arise as a seedling where no 'Atkinsii' were before. However, given how long the real 'Atkinsii' has been around, I suspect at least some of the 'new' ones may just be 'Atkinsii' under a different name.

[Martin Baxendale]

Paddy, re. whether to select out 'James Backhouse' from 'Atkinsii' clumps makes sense, I agree with you. It seems a wierd thing to suggest. I think 'Atkinsii' is simply prone to aberrations and that people can select out the oddities if they like, to grow those separately or to keep their 'good' clumps clean, but I wouldn't do that with my 'Atkinsii' and then call them 'James Backhouse'. Why should I? I have no reason to think they are that (if it exists). My Atkinsii came from a very good source and were always 'Atkinsii'. Any aberrant plants from them are in my opinion simply aberrant 'Atkinsii'.

[Giles]

Apologies if this one has already been mentioned:

[mark smyth]

I finally heard from the organiser of the CGS Snowdrop Group day of lectures. She has been sick and has a new telepone number.

[johnw]

I finally heard from the organiser of the CGS Snowdrop Group day of lectures. She has been sick and has a new telepone number.

Strange, I left message on the voicemail.  So is the Cerney Event on or not?  It's getting late to register now, Mark could you PM me the new telephone number?  Are you still giving a talk?

johnw

[steve owen]

 
CGS Snowdrop Group newsletters now arriving from Jenny H. Looks like things may be ok.

[David Nicholson]

Is anyone going to the Snape Cottage (Dorset) Snowdrop Days the last two Sundays in February 1030 to 1700?


http://www.snapecottagegarden.co.uk/snowdrops.htm

[emma T]

I will be going ,i only live 40 minutes away.they do a great almond slice .i will be going on the 15th , i think its a great garden . they have a good primula collection too.

[steve owen]

emma, once you have scoffed the almond slice, good news; they also have enough good snowdrops to work up room for a second slice........

[emma T]

Thats very true

[mark smyth]

I've been there and suggest anyone within a hour or two drive really should go.

[emma T]

Did anyone go to the wisley snowdrop splendour today?,im heading down there tomorrow ,providing it doesnt snow to hard.

[johnw]

Is anyone going to the CGS Cerney Event on the 21st?  We will be in the area as we are going to Colesbourne the next day. If we don't attend the CGS can you recommend gardens or nurseries to visit in the immediate vicinity, even naturalized snowdrops?  Hellebores, primulas, other bulbs, trees, shrubs etc etc are all of interest. Will not be doing a car rental.   

johnw

[Alan_b]

Did anyone go to the wisley snowdrop splendour today?,im heading down there tomorrow ,providing it doesnt snow to hard.

I went.  I enjoyed the talk although it didn't tell me a huge amount I didn't know.  I have to give a talk to my local gardening club shortly so I am looking for pointers.  There were quite a few snowdrops on sale and I bought a Galanthus platyphyllus, or at least what was supposed to be a Galanthus platyphyllus.  It is in flower now, which is too early according to the Book.  I was disappointed by Wisley's snowdrop display, very few named cultivars but they have some wonderful Witch Hazels and you mustn't miss the butterflies in the glasshouse.

[Anthony Darby]

Galanthus platyphyllus is a late flowerer. Mine aren't even close to the surface of the compost yet. They are very distinctive with little or no sinus notch on the inner petals.