Galanthus February 2011

[RichardW]

Pear Drop - favourite of mine, one of the most elegant drops I grow.

Richard, I agree that this is a very good snowdrop, which always sticks out from the rest.

At the 2007 Galanthus Gala, Cliff Curtis told how he had discovered this in the Ketton garden and described it as "a really good garden snowdrop, bulks up well, flowers shaped and hang like a pear drop".

seeing John's post reminded me of a question I've asked a few times but don't think I've had a definitive answer, is the correct name Pear Drop, or Peardrop?

it is a lovely thing.

[Maggi Young]

is the correct name Pear Drop, or Peardrop?

 and is it scented of peardrops?    ( British sweets?)

[snowdropman]

There is a cultivar offered in the US called 'Babraham Scented' with the description "another of Hector Harrison's discoveries".  The name implies it's known for its scent, but it's not in the bible unless it is 'Barbraham Dwarf'.  Does anyone know anything about this snowdrop?

Carolyn - a snowdrop named 'Babraham Scented' has been circulating for quite a few years here in the UK (Pattie Peck had it on her 2005 Sales List). In his 2010 Sales List Michael Broadhurst, Ivy Cottage Snowdrops, described it as "An unusual snowdrop that can have a variable number of inner segments. Found in woods near the village of Babraham in Cambridgeshire.”

As you will know from 'Snowdrops - Babraham is also the place where G. plicatus 'Babraham Dwarf' was discovered in 1985 by Robin and Joan Grout.

I have always assumed that 'Babraham Scented' is different to 'Babraham Dwarf', but I have not done a side by side comparison.

I do not know of any connection between 'Babraham Scented' and the late Hector Harrison.

[RichardW]

I suspect Babraham Scented is what I have been given then, not really small enough to be a dwarf anything, does have a strong & very nice scent.

[snowdropman]

seeing John's post reminded me of a question I've asked a few times but don't think I've had a definitive answer, is the correct name Pear Drop, or Peardrop?

Richard - wish I could tell you When I first acquired this snowdrop in 2006, it came to me as 'Peardrop', in the transcript of his talk at the 2007 Galanthus Gala it was noted as 'Pear Drops', on Judy's Snowdrops website it is listed as 'Peardrop', the 2011 Harveys Garden Plants Snowdrop List has it as 'Peardrop' and a transcript of Matt Bishops recent talk at the Garden House notes it as 'Peardrops'.

If any one is going to see Cliff Curtis, perhaps they can ask him.

[RichardW]

thanks Chris,

might try and make it for the NGS opening on Sunday.

I suppose it doesn't really matter & is more something I've been curious about for a few years, didn't realise there were more!

[snowdropman]

I suppose it doesn't really matter & is more something I've been curious about for a few years, didn't realise there were more!

It would be good to get Cliff to confirm the correct name, so that we can try to ensure that it only circulates under just one name.

[RichardW]

now planning to visit Cliff's place as well on Sunday so will make sure I ask.

[kentish_lass]

It's a nice day here in Kent today so am hoping to get out with my camera and take some photos before the snowdrops begin to fade.
Incase anyone is interested - I have updated my blog with RHS photos and some film footage (nothing of BBC quality - just my little Flip camcorder) 

Next I will do a write up on the Benington Lordship daytrip.
Jennie

[Jo]

I suppose it doesn't really matter & is more something I've been curious about for a few years, didn't realise there were more!

It would be good to get Cliff to confirm the correct name, so that we can try to ensure that it only circulates under just one name.

Cliff gave me his snowdrop at the cottage garden event last week, as a thankyou for his visit to my garden.  Wasn't I lucky 

 So it has a lovely honey scent, no hint of peardrops to my nose,  and the label, in neat handwriting says ' Peardrop'.

[RichardW]

So it has a lovely honey scent, no hint of peardrops to my nose,  and the label, in neat handwriting says ' Peardrop'.

thank you for clearing that up.

not so warm today but warm enough that the flowers were still open early this morning.

my biggest clump of Peardrop
Little John - shame it is a bit floppy.
Cyc Coum & Viridapice
Diggory
rizehensis
nivalis Bitton
ikariae

[snowdropman]

Cliff gave me his snowdrop at the cottage garden event last week.......and the label, in neat handwriting says 'Peardrop'.

Jo - this is very helpful - thank you - and ties in nicely with what Janet Lecore has just told me viz when she originally received this snowdrop from Cliff Curtis the label in his garden said 'Peardrop'.

Richard - on this basis, the answer to your original question is that the correct name for this snowdrop is G. 'Peardrop'

[mark smyth]

Here's a snowdrops that I havent heard/read/seen much about since I got it.

It's the green leaved G. elwesii Comet x Allenii

[mark smyth]

Does anyone grow G. plic. byz. Ray Cobbs Late? My plants are plicatus These may have come from Margaret Owen. They have just come up this week

[mark smyth]

I always plant snowdrops at the edge of my troughs. This had come up in the middle which makes me think I recycled the pot contents as trough filler

The outers are 4cm. When open the tips are 5cm apart.