Galanthus February 2009

[RichardW]

has been here longer than me  so no, there are quite a few oddities in those beds, as far as I know no one bought any named varieties before I started in 92, most came from friends & family.

think I know the one you mean, looks like a paler version of Grumpy.

[Maggi Young]

Richard, the gardens have come out from the snow looking super.... thank you for sharing with us.

[art600]

Has anyone recorded any 'varieties' of Lady Beatrix Stanley?  I will post a picture tomorrow if the light is OK - the inners have two small marks near the ovary in addition to the two tiny marks at the notch end.

[Paddy Tobin]

Richard,

Delighted to see the photographs of Benington Lordship, a wonderful display of snowdrops almost like snow on the ground.

Paddy

[emma T]

a drop i found last year,any opinions

[RichardW]

having looked it up you're right, is clearly not Sybil Roberta, was a swap from last year, more detective work...

will have a closer look at Bill Bishop in morning, only fully opened today in afternoon sun.

[Maggi Young]

I have 'Sybil Roberta' , given me by Evelyn Stevens who named it for her late Mother. I'll check it tomorrow.

I also have 'Backhouse Spectacles', which I learn from "the book " is  described thus....
 "If there is a lame duck in the bunch it is surely 'Backhouse Spectacles' which has to be simply one of the most undistinguished snowdrops in cultivation."
 I'd have to agree with that... though I would tend to be more robust in my criticism..... the ruddy thing isn't flowering at all.... clumping up a treat..... not a flower in sight!

[Anthony Darby]

I have 'Mrs Backhouse's Spectacles' and spectacular it ain't. I did have 'Sybil Roberta', but I think it has been swallowed by the wild grass by the hedge. I'll get some more off Evelyn on Saturday.

[Brian Ellis]

Emma I am not renowned for liking weird and spikey snowdrops, so I find myself mildly surprised by being attracted to this one

[Paddy Tobin]

Emma,

What a weird snowdrop, definitely an unusual one.


Rob,

Re comments on virus on G. 'Matt Bishop' as posted by Richard from Benington Lordship I think it is worth looking at the photographs of the mass plantings of snowdrops and see that the general population is in the rudest of good health. So, perhaps, the occasional touch of virus need not lead us into alarm.

Maggi,

G. 'Mrs.Backhouse Spectacles' is indeed totally indistinguishable.

Paddy

[Anthony Darby]

Yes Rob, your 'Anglesey Abbey' is definitely wrong. As for 'Sybil Roberta' being an actual cultivar and not a synonym of 'Dionysus'? I suppose it's like anything. If it is not from the original named clone it must be something else, so why not name it?

[Diane Whitehead]

A friend's find.  No, it is not a leucojum, but another one of our
unnamed Victoria elwesii.

[KentGardener]

Thanks for the pictures Richard.  I think displayed on the banks of a sunken walkway like that is the very best way to display snowdrops.  Very much like the one at Anglesey Abbey.  Benington Lordship is now on my list of places I want to visit.

Cheers

John

[Alan_b]

A friend's find.  No, it is not a leucojum, but another one of our
unnamed Victoria elwesii.

Wow, Diane.  You are doing a very good job of making us jealous of all the wonderful snowdrops you have in Victorai/B.C.  From what I can see of the picture this looks like a green-tipped poculiform, or are there (more) inner petals that we cannot see?

[mark smyth]

I look forward to the days these elwesii selections cross the pond. Can you post a larger photo please. That small one is a bit of a tease