The best Galanthus nivalis selections

[johnw]

From the forumists comments it appears that Galanthus nivalis does better in eastern North America, even spreading like mad, while G.elwesii is happier on the west coast.  Perhaps we in Nova Scotia should focus more on G. nivalis. 

Perhaps it's time for a poll.

Giving a range of types, if possible, which five or ten named nivalis would you consider to be not only tops but prolific multipliers and of excellent long-term health.   

johnw - where it snowed 5-7cm overnight, rained heavily, gale force winds and now facing a pile of slop that is due to freeze in a few hours.

[Jo]

Of the nivalis cvs I grow the most vigorous are

Scharlockii
viridapice
Pusey Green Tips
Lady Elphinstone

But there are nivalis hybrids as well and then the list gets long 

[mark smyth]

As Jo says
Scharlockii
Viridapice

I'd bet no-one bothers buying these two when they see it. 

Who doesnt grow these two?

[David Nicholson]

Me-yet!

[mark smyth]

and why not? They really are great snowdrops.

[mark smyth]

Does anyone not have Galanthus nivalis in the garden

[Alan_b]

As Jo says
Scharlockii
Viridapice

I'd bet no-one bothers buying these two when they see it. 

Who doesnt grow these two?

I think these are incredible snowdrops.  If they had been discovered recently people would be paying hundreds of pounds for them on ebay.  Because they are good vigorous snowdrops and have been around for a long time so supplies are plentiful, they are frequently overlooked.

[David Nicholson]

and why not? They really are great snowdrops.

Because you lot have only recently persuaded me that I should grow more Snowdrops than I do now:-

My present collection consists of:-

A few nivalis that have been in the garden for quite a few years, somewhat neglected, and never seem to bulk up and are about to be moved to a better location.
Some elwesii that Arthur kindly sent me last year, some very early ones and some later-I have posted pics of these.
One Lady Beatrix Stanley that I think Arthur sent me though I didn't keep a full record.
A couple of Lady E that Anne Wright kindly sent me a couple of years ago that are just poking above the gravel.
A small pot of ikariae I bought from a garden cenre this week and haven't planted out yet.
A couple of Hippolyta that Sue Gill kindly sent me in 2006, that didn't like it in my greenhouse, and were not to impressed with my bulb bed last year. Just poking through the gravel now.
A couple of named varieties I bought from a plant fair last February and can't for the life of me remember (a) what they were called, and, (b) where I planted them! The search goes on.****

Well, we've all got to start somewhere



*** Later edit: after searching the Forum, I found I bought Tubby Merlin from an NCCPRG Plant Sale (from Monksilver's stand) in Totnes last February

[Michael J Campbell]

David,you have a lot more than me, my collection consists of one clump of S, Arnott, one clump of Elwesii that I bought in the market last spring, and one bulb of Wendy's Gold that I lost a few years ago but reappeared last year in the middle of a dwarf Rhododendron. But I have great expectations.

[David Nicholson]

We should form a group Michael-The Galanthotots

[Maggi Young]

We should form a group Michael-The Galanthotots

Now that sounds as though jelly and cake might be involved.... that more my kind of group.


I have  Galanthus Sharlockii........somewhere.

[loes]

Viridapice and Warei do very well with me

[Diane Whitehead]

Flore Pleno  does well even here.  It multiplies, even in areas
that get no summer water.

I'm sure it must be growing all over the Maritimes, but if not,
John, I can send you some.

[Anthony Darby]

As Jo says
scharlockii
viridapice

I'd bet no-one bothers buying these two when they see it. 

Who doesn't grow these two?

I have huge clumps of the latter, but lost the former to slugs a couple of years ago. Not got round to replacing it yet.

[johnw]

Flore Pleno  does well even here.  It multiplies, even in areas
that get no summer water.

I'm sure it must be growing all over the Maritimes, but if not,
John, I can send you some.

Yes Diane it does very well here and is commonly available in garden centres. Get them early though before they dry out on the shelves.

Thanks fior the offer.

johnw