Galanthus January 2009

[Paddy Tobin]

Mark,

An excellent set of photographs; particularly nice to see snowdrops in sunshine, something which is in very short supply down south here. I wonder if you have had a mix-up with the one labelled "G. elwesii hiemalis". The outer petals seems very long and slim and not at all like the more substantial and plump outer petal of G. elwesii snowdrops.

Rob, I used a Fuji Finepix for several years and found it an excellent camera for close-up work - as illustrated.

Following up on questions about G. 'Dionysus' (I think I have the spelling correct now as I noticed that the snowdrop book does not spell it as I have done, with an "i" - Dionysius). I checked on this clump yesterday fternoon and found that most of the snowdrops have green markings on the outer petals and these are more pronounced in the more developed flowers, those more open. I couldn't find a photograph of this clump from last year and can't say if this is a consistent feature but can now watch out for it in coming years.

Here is the photograph I posted the other day and I must point out that this one has the best markings of the group. It was the one most open and developed when I  picked it and that, perhaps, explains why the markings are so clear.

Wol Staines was speaking in Cork last evening - where I met Ashley, who posts on the forum - and I purchased G. 'Three Ships', G. 'David Baker' and G. 'Primrose Warburg'. I did have a bulb of 'Primrose Warburg' in the garden from an exchange with a forum member last year but a flowering bulb with two good offsets for €20 seemed too good a price to let pass.

Paddy

[Jo]

Looking at my potted Dionysus threw up a green tipped specimen. Not as good as yours Paddy.

[mark smyth]

The markings are also very big compared to what I have seen.

Paddy, the elwesii 'Heimalis' Hiemalis is correct and was bought before Heimalis Hiemalis Group was formed. 'Pyramid' also has long narrow petals

[Paddy Tobin]

Mark,

You have a nice snowdrop then. It struck me as unusually slim for G. elwesii. I particularly like the snowdrops with long outer petals; more elegant, I think.

Jo, it seems this outer marking on G. 'Dionysus' is not as unusual as imagined then. Comparing both of our photographs, we certainly seem to have the same plant, same overall shape, very similar markings, same slight upturn on the outer petals etc. So, it seems we will not be making our fortunes from e-bay sales on this one!

Paddy

[Jo]

Shame Paddy   I think the green outer causes the pinching of the petal.  The flower in the picture had different shaped markings on each of its 3 inner petals, on one it was only a stripe.  I think Dionysus must a very variable creature.

[mark smyth]

Here is the "late" elwesii from Kath Dryden.

[mark smyth]

Here are some more photos of the little Galanthus I have that has a label missing. It could have come from the Snowdrop Company, North Green or Colesbourne. Its height in 10cm. Both leaves show slight plication and are only 6mm wide

[Rob]

Here are two clumps of snowdrops growing in the garden. The clump on the left could be 'Colossus', but what is the clump on the right?

[mark smyth]

Rob, 'Colossus' looks about right from that distance. The right hand snowdrop is elwesii '?'

[Rob]

Here is a wider shot. It shows some autumn drops on the right, and possibly 'James Backhouse' in the foreground. There can't be many elwesii with such broad leaves as the clump I'm trying to identify.

[Jo]

Here is the "late" elwesii from Kath Dryden.

Thats a beautiful elwesii Mark, if its 'late' why is it flowering now 

Rob, the elwesii ?, coming through by Colossus looks about the same leaf width as some of mine. Is that Rhubarb accompanying your snowdrops   

[mark smyth]

Precisely. I'll phone her tomorrow to find out more

[KentGardener]

Is that Rhubarb accompanying your snowdrops   

Well spotted.

hmmmm, rhubarb crumble.....

[Rob]

I like rhubarb & custard. There should be another piece where it looks like bare soil. I might put an upturned bucket on the stalks that are showing to try and force it.

Getting back to the elwesii can anyone list the top half dozen cultivars with that shape leaf, and I'll see if the names ring any bells.

[mark smyth]

Rob many elwesii cultivars have wide grey leaves