Galanthus February 2010

[Maggi Young]

I suppose you are noticing how hard some of these 'drops are trying to be Leucojums?   ??

[KentGardener]

I suppose you are noticing how hard some of these 'drops are trying to be Leucojums?   ??

What's your name?  Ian?....   

[Alan_b]

Any ideas as to possible species, or is it clearly a hybrid?

No sign of folding back on the leaves so not a plicate.  The leaves seem slightly curved, are they applenate or supervolute?  The photograph does not show the base of the leaves so I cannot tell.

Alan, it is volute, but not really supervolute in that the leaves do not completely enclose each other.  There is a slight boating and curve to the leaves. As Martin mentioned, it does resemble G. elwesii a bit, but I've never seen one this small or this early in season.  It is ahead of G. nivalis by at least a week.  Other than blooming time, leaf arrangement and general size, I really do not know how to tell the various species apart.  Apparently, the petal marks are of little use.

The earliest elwesii flower in November in the UK, possibly there are some even earlier.  I have several in my small collection that flower in December and these are not hard to find.  So flowering earlier in the season than nivalis is a good sign it might be elwesii.  Having said that, nivalis collected from different locations may also flower several weeks apart.

I agree with Martin that it resembles an elwesii.  Some elwesii are small and an elwesii/nivalis hybrid could certainly be small.  The petal marks could be an elwesii but, as you have learned, are often not a good indicator of species.       

[jnovis]

Paddy, I only had my mobile phone camera with me so photo`s were not very good. Will try and post some later. Jim

[Paddy Tobin]

Paddy, I only had my mobile phone camera with me so phot

Another time, then.

Paddy

[Regelian]

Alan,

thanks.  I didn't realize the bloom time could be so variable.  Learn something every day....

jamie

[Paddy Tobin]

A few more from the garden, continuing from last night's posting. Paddy


G. 'Comet' - showing the nice long pedicles which give it the "in flight" appearance which I imagine was the reason for the name.
G. elwesii monostictus - or G. caucasicus as the seed from which I grew this was then named.
G. 'Fishing Rod' - I like this more and more each day as the flowers grow further and the pedicles get longer and longer and more and more elegant.
G. 'Irish Green' - this is only just above ground, a cm or two high, and I hope it will open better in coming days.
G. 'Long John' - well, with my youngest son called "John", this is one I had to have. I must get 'Little John' now.
G. 'John Gray' - good strong green markings.

[jnovis]

Paddy, Here are my mobile phone pictures of Atkinsii at Rococo gardens. Some of the drifts were of a double variety which I am not sure about. I could ring them to ask. Jim.

[Paddy Tobin]

Wow, how lovely to see snowdrops in such large numbers though they are obviously planted rather than naturalised.

A double form of 'Atkinsii' - I wonder if it is 'James Backhouse' which is an irregularly shaped form of 'Atkinsii' but, then again, it may be some other double altogether.

Thanks for the photographs. You lucky people living in the U.K. are really spoiled for good gardens and must find it great to be able to go view such plantings.

Paddy

[jnovis]

3 more pics of Rococo, will also post some of Cerney and Colesbourne, separately,Jim

[Paddy Tobin]

Great to see them in such number, Jim.

Paddy

[jnovis]

Paddy, Not sure if the double at Rococo is Atkinsii form. Maybe some other forum members can advise

[jnovis]

Here are some pics of Cerney Gardens

[jnovis]

Here are some from Colesbourne.
1,George Elwes
2.Spindlestone surprise
3.Pusly GT ? label faded
4.Lady Beatrix Stanley
5.John Gray

[Alan_b]

Alan,

thanks.  I didn't realize the bloom time could be so variable.  Learn something every day....

jamie

In my area quite a lot of people grow elwesii in their front gardens and these can be seem just walking down the street.  One house has elwesii reliably in flower by the New Year and in the next village I am told there is a house with some that often flower in November.  So once you develop an awareness of snowdrops, you can find out quite a lot just by being observant.