Galanthus February 2011

[Maggi Young]

Maggi ....I just sent you a PM to explain !

Yes, Hans, but even when I am 27 in my head, I'm still not waiting 33 years to understand Galanthus and galanthophiles!! 

[Brian Ellis]

Well it was very cold today so while someone took photos on black backgrounds in the warmth of the house I did a bit of gardening then took a couple of photos.  I was pleased to see that my 'Mr Blobby' and 'John Long' have now broken through the ground at long last.  What really caught my eye was the length of the split spathe on 'Mill House', the stature of 'Homersfield', the mark on this plicatus x byzantinus ex Warham and the fact that last years new bulb 'Josie' has two flowers out and a bud coming up if not more.  Then it was just too cold and windy and the rain started.

[Paddy Tobin]

Brian,

By coincidence, Mary and I were in Altamont Gardens yesterday for the first day of their Snowdrop Week. The one snowdrop which really caught our eyes was G. 'Mill House'. It really is amazing and the colour on the flower is also excellent.

Good strong green on 'Josie'.

Similarly cold, sleety weather here but I kept warm by shovelling gravel to cover some footpaths and beds. Plenty left to keep me warm tomorrow also.

Paddy

[David Pilling]

Galanthus 'Grumpy' seems to have become a celebrity, in the Times today, and yesterday in the Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-1356800/Spring-way-sad-faced-snowdrop-t-raise-smile.html

[Martin Baxendale]

I lost count of the number of mistakes and amount of daft misinformation in the mail article! And just exactly who has dubbed Galanthus elwesii 'Grumpy' as a "snow-strop"? Or has the journalist just made that up because it's a pun? Good grief!!!

[RichardW]

our Grumpy/Livid is a very popular plant, lots of wives wanting to buy it for husbands  

the mark on this plicatus x byzantinus ex Warham

that's very nice!

[Brian Ellis]

Yes Paddy it is an outstanding scharlockii type, looking through David's photographs that he has taken today using his brand new background I was struck by the similarity to 'Bishop's Mitre" which Richard Hobbs showed at the Gala as part of 'Norfolk's finest'.

Richard I really like that mark, one of Glen Chantry's plants according to my database.

[Carolyn Walker]

I sent the photo of 'Beth Chatto', which I posted earlier on the forum, to Beth Chatto Gardens, and the response is below.  Obviously I am very happy.

Hello Carolyn,
 
Many thanks for your email. Yes I think you have the original there in so far as the markings and the habit you describe. Have you noticed any distortion of the inner or outer segments as that was a variable characteristic of the original. Also the bulbs readily produce two flower scapes, even when quite small.  John Elsley would have had the plant before the seeding out of the stock was an issue.
 
I am in touch with Paddy Tobin who first raised the topic and he has found out that Wisley have a specimen in their herbarium so it would be good to find out what they have as a starting point.
 
I guess only plants from that one specimen that was identified in London and subsequently named can be truly called 'Beth Chatto' Do you chip or twin scale as that would be the way to go if we can verify yours as being the true form.
 
Many thanks for your interest.
 
Kind regards.
 
David Ward...The Beth Chatto Gardens.
www.bethchatto.co.uk

You are so far ahead of us here in Pennsylvania.  The only snowdrop currently showing its flower is G. elwesii.  I am enjoying reading about and viewing all your snowdrop adventures.

[Maggi Young]

Excelent news,  Carolyn.
I do think David Ward is a very helpful chap.

[mark smyth]

Galanthus plicatus Deputy Dawg. Is it worth naming?

[johnw]

Galanthus plicatus Deputy Dawg. Is it worth naming?

http://www.sound-effect.com/sounds1/animal/Dogs/pk9.wav

Nice markings but oh that name.

johnw

[kentish_lass]

Here are a few of the clearer photos taken today at the RHS Halls in London

1. Clare Blakeway-Phillips
2. plicatus Edinburgh Ketton - love this one
3. Lockyers stand
4. Broadleigh Gardens stand
5. Me at the show today

Jennie

[kentish_lass]

Galanthus plicatus Deputy Dawg. Is it worth naming?

Mark, I think that is such a brilliant name for that flower - how amazing, it actually looks like him.  What a great snowdrop
Jennie

[kentish_lass]

Yes Paddy it is an outstanding scharlockii type, looking through David's photographs that he has taken today using his brand new background I was struck by the similarity to 'Bishop's Mitre" which Richard Hobbs showed at the Gala as part of 'Norfolk's finest'.

Richard I really like that mark, one of Glen Chantry's plants according to my database.

Brian - is the background on the first photo more of a dark blue?  I really like that....even better than black (in my humble opion) 
Lovely photos & snowdrop
Jennie

[KentGardener]

Galanthus plicatus Deputy Dawg. Is it worth naming?

http://www.sound-effect.com/sounds1/animal/Dogs/pk9.wav

Nice markings but oh that name.

johnw

I can see why it got the name.