Snowdrop events 2011

[Diane Clement]

Wouldn't it be wonderful to work at his nursery?
Hellebore, snowdrops, hepatica, I'd be in heaven!!  

And what about the cyclamen  

[Diane Clement]

Thanks for the pictures Diane - lots of wonderful winter interest there. 

Thanks for all your interest   

[KentGardener]

And what about the cyclamen 

I noticed them 

[kentish_lass]

Yesterday I went to Carolyn Millen's open garden day for charity.  Arthur kindly picked me up and then we went to get John in the Medway.
Before leaving Johns we took a quick peek at his garden.  What a feast for the eyes.  I was so excited that I forgot to take photograph before we left.

When we got to Carolyn's I did not know where to look first, so headed for the sales table instead   After a nice cup of tea I headed off to see the huge collection of snowdrops that are neatly arranged in raised beds.  Being new to snowdrops I have never seen them displayed like this before.  I was mesmerised.  I saw lots of the snowdrops that I have lusted after for the last few years.  It was so good to see them in real life.

Carolyn and her daughter are also very successful propagators and have lovely neat cold frames packed with pots of chipped snowdrops.  Mr Millen kindly explained to me how to mix the perfect soil for potting snowdrops.

Unfortunately when I got around to taking some photographs of close ups the wind started up.  I got a few nice shots but think I will have to make a return visit on one of the next open days.  Incidentally Carolyn forgot to mention she also has an open day on March 6th - this was not mentioned in her earlier post.  My favourites at Carolyn's were Reverend Hailstone & var. whitalli - they are tall with huge flowers.  Gorgeous.  Photos to follow soon.

[Mavers]

Hi Diane, I can't believe I left out CYCLAMEN!!!

[kentish_lass]

Can anyone please tell me the name of the Cyclamen that are flowering at Ashwoods?  They are very early ones and perfect to go with snowdrops.

Ashwood's looks lovely but I would not trust myself there with all those gorgeous plants for sale
thanks
Jennie

[Maggi Young]

I was surprisedto see how advanced the cyclamen are at John Massey's garden... this place is getting to feel more and more like the frozen north every day, with all the gems appearing inthe photos in the Forum   

 I think they are all Cyclamen coum, Jennie and looking as healthy as can be.

[RichardW]

I've got a lot of coum "Maurice Dryden" flowering with drops, is a lovely combination and they're always out together.

planted 10 ish years ago, I remember doing it and a visitors voice behind telling me "they wont grow there!" always hoped they might have been back since

[Brian Ellis]

I hope you and David have big appetites as I imagine Anne has a pantry full of goodies for the multitude of expected, non arriving, guests.
And what about all those snowdrops you have grown for the sales table?  Will you have another opportunity this year to hand over the pots of 'Finchale Abbey', 'Wasp' and all those others that you hoped to sell tomorrow?  

How frustrating!  

Frustrating to say the least, and no doubt I will come home the size of a double decker bus  Not sure what will happen to the pots of snowdrops

[Brian Ellis]

Before leaving Johns we took a quick peek at his garden.  What a feast for the eyes.  I was so excited that I forgot to take photograph before we left.

Black mark Jennie 

[kentish_lass]

Before leaving Johns we took a quick peek at his garden.  What a feast for the eyes.  I was so excited that I forgot to take photograph before we left.

Black mark Jennie 

Brian - thats not to say I did not take some later  

[Maggi Young]

 thats not to say I did not take some later  

Thank heavens for that! 

[Brian Ellis]

Brian - thats not to say I did not take some later  

Ok you're forgiven

[kentish_lass]

Here are a few photos taken at Johns (Kentgardener) on Sunday.  All of the close ups of snowdrops were blurry due to low light later in the day.

Johns garden is absolutely packed with interesting plants and features.  He has carefully combined very unusual small ferns, gorgeous Cyclamen, small grasses, Saxifrage and a host of other small plants into a winter wonderland.  Thats not to mention a host of perfectly pruned climbers on every wall and endless bamboos & tropicals....and a fish pond.  It may be small but it is like walking into another world.  I would trade my huge, hard to manage, stressful garden for John's little paradise any day    Oh, I forgot to mention a collection of snowdrops which made me feel heady with excitement.  I had not heard of half of them
A fantastic example of how to make the best of a small garden.  I cannot wait to see it again some day as I still missed loads of stuff.

How lovely to just walk outside and all your treasures are right there to look at.  I spent hours today trying to find one snowdrop - four hours later I still had not found it.  Half a day wasted.

Jennie

[Paddy Tobin]

John,

The cyclamen/snowdrop combination is perfect.

Many thanks for the photographs, Jennie.

Paddy