Galanthus March - April2007

[Lesley Cox]

Re John's most telling comparison of prices, what's that old saying about "a fool and his money are soon parted?" It has to apply. On the other hand, if one has more money than is good for one (you see my Scottish upbringing here), why not spend it on a snowdrop or anything else one wishes. Yes, it disadvantages those without more money than is good for them, but auctions can be as addictive, so I believe - I've never been to one - as smoking, alcohol or gambling and at least at the end of the day one still HAS the snowdrop (given reasonable care of course) while with the others you have a filthy breath, a hangover or an empty bank account -or maybe much worse, in each case.

But then, I'm not in a position where I can be tempted by the ebay site, at least so far as plants are concerned, and I really like to see what I'm buying before I part with my money, or at least know a seller's reputation, in the case of mail order nurseries.

[Jim_in_mi]

Thank you Mark and Chris! 
Jim

[Anthony Darby]

Surely it can only be 'Sophie North' if it is traceable back to the original clone?

.....therefore it can't be.

[Maggi Young]

Lily and I walked round to visit a fellow SRGC member, Isobel and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Hal, this afternoon. Hal comes to stay here sometimes and is one of the canine world's sweetest gentlemen, keeping off the flowers and taking an interest in weeding! However, I digress. Isobel has a lovely young bush of Daphne 'Jacqueline Postil' in her front garden which smells divine, Oh, I digress again.... Isobel also has a liking for snowdrops, thought she gets as annoyed as many of you here with Lady Elpinstones which won't stay yellow etc! Some are passing now, but I still saw Hippolyta, Dionysus, Merlin, Little Ben, Robin Hood, Brenda Troyle, Pusey(?) Green Tips , Hill Poë, Ginn's imperati and quite a few others, with and without names, looking good in the cold sunshine.

[Martin Baxendale]

Maggi, your snowdrop season really is much later than mine down here in the Cotswolds. It occurs to me that if I win the national lottery (which I won't) I could buy a holiday home in the Highlands (which I wouldn't on principle) and plant the garden with half of my snowdrop collection, so I could have an early Jan-Feb snowdrop season down here then spend March up there enjoying a second snowdrop season in the same year, seeing the same snowdrops all over again a month or so later. Hmmm. Must be the late hour and the advancing years (and reducing years to look forward to in the future) talking!

[mark smyth]

Nearly all gone now in my garden too except for three 'Washfield Warham', 'Cicely Hall' and 'The Whopper' and two still in tight bud - 'Danube Star' and 'Green Ibis'

[Anthony Darby]

I still have 'Baxendale's Late' to open. (Baxendale, your late is late).

[Johan Mens]

The very last ones in flower over here.
A late white poculiform giving an extra.

[Maggi Young]

Your green "semipoc" is striking, Johan. It has a very long pedicle, doesn't it?

[Johan Mens]

Yes Maggi.
What do you think of the next one, out of flower now.

[Maggi Young]

Even stronger green markings on this one. I haven't seen one so green .

[Johan Mens]

I saw two super hybrids still in flower today.
Colin Mason's Fieldgate Forte and Fieldgate Superb.

[mark smyth]

very nice. Can I add Colin's snowdrops to my web site?

[Johan Mens]

Mark, You want them full sized I suppose.
I'll mail them to you.

[Anthony Darby]

Yes Maggi.
What do you think of the next one, out of flower now.

Wow. Now that is one I would like.