Re: Winter snowdrops

[ArneM]

Hans, nice snowies. The sad thing with them is that they make me a bit depressive. When I look outside I can only see snow and some taller frostbitten plants but not any sign of snowdrops as we had -17°C here last night. 

[Paddy Tobin]

Be consoled, Arne. The G. elwesii you sent me last year are well above ground and I am looking forward to seeing your 'findlings' coming into flower later in the year. I can post a photograph so you can see them even if there is snow and cold weather in Germany.

Paddy

[Hagen Engelmann]

Yes Arne, it`s like Paddy told. To divide your treasures is the best to secure/conserve them. So Paddy send bulbs, you sends bulbs, I do it too.....God sent me a lot of snow....

[Paddy Tobin]

Hagen,

An excellent philosophy! And such enjoyment also. At the moment I am delighted to see two shoots on G. 'Kildare' which came from you last year.

As you know, this cultivar originated in Ireland, and so it is of particular interest to me and I am really thrilled to see it coming along so well. Looking forward now to seeing it in flower in the not too distant future. I think I will have one flowering bulb and one immature to flower next year.

Paddy

[Hagen Engelmann]

equal senses Paddy.....

[ArneM]

I would like to second that, Hagen. That's the best everyone could do. Without such 'givings', some snowies were already lost like 'Rosemary Burnham' (I hope I'm right with that?).

On the other handside the snow is fine, too. Harsh frost without a blanket of snow isn't good, even to snowies. Mine were sadly lying on the ground, but now they should be isolated enough.

[johnw]

The sad thing with them is that they make me a bit depressive. When I look outside I can only see snow and some taller frostbitten plants but not any sign of snowdrops as we had -17°C here last night. 

Arne - Now don't let this happen.  You will appreciate them even more when they peak up out of the snow standing straight and tall, just as they do here sometimes in late March.      Fear not, the drops here have survived incredibly cold snowless winters on many occasions, I have seen them at inland gardens take -17c in late March in full bloom and stand up the next day.

Winter shall pass, even here in Canada. 25cm of snow on the ground here, this afternoon we had a bit of snow, this afternoon freezing rain, ice pellets for 6 hours, then to +10c overnight and cold tomorrow. I put on a cd of Spanish music, Goyescas, think warm and pull the blinds.

And Rosemary B. lives on thanks to kind friends who keep the drops on the move.

johnw

[johnw]

Mark - I am looking at this shot of gracilis Green Marks that you posted last year I believe. I has just struck me that the intensity of the green inner markings is quite remarkable.

johnw

[mark smyth]

Yes it is a lovely snowdrop. It will be a long time before this is seen in our gardens. I'm sure it is being shared a little as insurance against disease and the fly.

[Paul T]

That really is an intense green mark.  That would be a fascinating one to try seed from, just to see what resulted.  Very nice flower. 

[Jo]

Talking of gracilis from seed I was really impressed with the variety to be seen at Highdown last year, this one caught my eye.

[ArneM]

Arne - Now don't let this happen. 

Ok, I try to give my best and look forward to see them.

[mark smyth]

Three photos from today.

My 'Faringdon Doubles' may not be double but they do have the distinctive spathe. Maybe they will need another year to settle down.

One of favourites is 'John Long' with it's distinctive mark and poc marked petals.

And elwesii 'Maidwell L' ex Ebay two years ago and not correct. It looks like 'Robin Hood' but it's not.

[Jo]

this was my Robin Hood last year. The second picture shows one stem that has 2 pedicels with a flower each. I think that Robin Hood does that kind of thing, a bit like Kite, is that true ?

[mark smyth]

I've seen twin flowered 'Robin Hoods' a couple of times. One problem with this snowdrop is it tends to lean too much