Galanthus February 2009

[Brian Ellis]

On Wednesday we went to lunch with a friend in North Norfolk, poor long suffering David took these pictures - things which caught a non-galanthophile's eye!
There are a number of raised beds and new beds since we last visited in the spring!  Of course these are primarily to hold her collection.  So here are some photos from Old Hall Farm beginning with one of the spring beds.  In it was a lovely gracilis selection which was shining out and has been named Twilight, near to it was Swanton which has been remarked on before.  She was very fortunate in knowing the owners of the fabled Rectory at Warham where some lovely snowdrops have been found and here is a plicatus she was allowed to take away.  Magnus was in good shape as was Lady Beatrix Stanley and Blonde Inge, and, just because I didn't get Ecusson d'Or again this year, I'll have to make do with the photo.  The dogs joined us outside after lunch and wondered what we were all doing no doubt!  I hope you enjoy your visit next week Steve.

[ichristie]

Hi to all, we have indeed our friends from the Netherlands staying with us Gerard Oud and his wife we have had a snowdrop extraveganza so here is Gerard admiring some flowers with a close up. cheers Ian the Christie kind

[Brian Ellis]

Wonderful to see those drifts Ian, thanks for posting.

[KentGardener]

I have been to the Netherlands many times during January / February time - brrrrr....  I hope Gerard is enjoying your warm Scottish weather.   

Cheers

John

[Brian Ellis]

Yesterday was perhaps the best day out 'dropping we have had, even David enjoyed it.  We travelled a nice round 100 miles to see Cliff and Joan Curtis.  It was certainly well worth the journey, thanks to both Cliff and Joan for their kind hospitality.  I saw some wonderful snowdrops from the smallest nivalis with a greenish inner to Squire Burroughs and other large flowered forms, and many that I was seeing for the first time which was a real treat.  There were some great virescent flowers and some really nice troughs and most especially hellebores.  We spent a good two hours admiring the snowdrops and I am only sorry that the official photographer could not take more pictures, unfortunately there was a cold wind causing havoc with the photography, and I was much too busy talking to try to take any photos.  We came away with a few pots and some lovely mental images.  Here are some general views of a couple of Cliff's well planned and very full beds, and just two snowdrops - good old Dionysus and Galanthus ikariae 'Chandler's Green Tipped'.

[Brian Ellis]

Whoops, apologies to both Cliff and Jane-Anne, the Hellebores at the end of the pictures of Cliff's garden were actually in Jane-Anne's.   

[mark smyth]

I've been once to their garden on a very cold snowy day and really would love to go back. Weather fascinates me these days. You were cold yesterday while we had between 10 and 12C throughout the day.

Today was 11C and lovely to walk with 14 others in Bob Gordon's garden here in N Ireland. I was very excited to see a very special snowdrop but equally saddened at the same time to see it is virused and afflicted with Stag. I took 450 photos and now I have sit for hours to go through them all, edit the best and name them. It was a bit breezy so many may be out of focus

[Gerard Oud]

We are having fantastic weather here in Scotland and have seen a awfull lot beautiful different snowdrops. I cant say more about it because i promised that to Ian. We are very happy to be one of the Scottish Rockers at Ian and Anne's home.

[Anthony Darby]

Nice to see you enjoying Ian's Scottish hospitality Gerard. You are not far off being halfway between me and Ian and Maggi.

Been trying to Google Galanthus alpinus bortkewitschianus flowers, but only distant shots. I have one coming out. Anyone else grow it?

[mark smyth]

This is the snowdrop I found. It's a plicatus x nivalis. It may not be stunning but it's a fast multiplier. This group have multiplied from about 5 bulbs to this in 5 or 6 years

[mark smyth]

Here's a photo for you Anthony

[Maggi Young]

Hmm..... that fellow in Mark's photo of Galanthus alpinus bortkewitschianus has a very thin moustache...... I wouldn't trust him, look like a gigolo

[Anthony Darby]

Here's a photo for you Anthony

Thanks Mark. I sneaked a look under the petals at that's like mine, but not like the description in the book.

[annew]

I'm interested to see Jo's 'Doncasters Double Charmer'. I was reading The Book today, and I reckon my spiky thing, pictured earlier, is probably the immature phase of it. If so hopefully it should look normal (!) next year.

[Anthony Darby]

Here are some today:
'Hans Guck in die Luft';
'Angelique';
'Baylham';
'Modern Art';
'Dreycot Greentip';
'Brian Spence'
X Alleni;
'Ginn's Imperati'
Viridapicis with lagodechianus (back left) and rizehensis;
'Trym'