Galanthus January 2012

[Carolyn Walker]

I am enjoying my status as the (possible) originator of 'Walker Canada' though.

Perhaps your friend will call that lovely one 'Walker Pennsylvania' 

I think I need to hire you as my publicist.  Seriously though, this snowdrop could not be named because it is likely it already has a name albeit one that will never be found.  This is the very thing that has caused so much confusion among snowdrop cultivars.  Isn't that right?  What is the protocol in this situation?

Alan, I will pester for photos in November.  I am also still wondering if a naturalized population of snowdrops can start blooming at different times due to seeding or whether bloom time is somehow hardwired.  Carolyn

[Torsten Junker]

Johnw - That elwesii 'Margaret Biddulph' looks great, anyone seen it available anywhere recently?

A few more pics from a few days ago:

Byfield Special
Edinburgh Ketton
Ermine House
Gerard Parker - slightly concerned about this one, thoughts anyone?
Grey's Child
Ivy Cottage Corporal
Jessica
Kildare
Kite
Long Drop

[kentish_lass]

Johnw - That elwesii 'Margaret Biddulph' looks great, anyone seen it available anywhere recently?

Hi Torsten

You have some lovely snowdrops there.  My Ivy Cottage Corporal looks like it may have disappeared - it was a very small bulb last spring - undersized.

You asked about Margaret Biddulph.  It was in the Snowdrop Company catalogue this year for £40 (I know because I ordered it - but this does not mean I will get it) !

If you don't have the catalogue - it is still worth applying now to get one next year (or later this year in November)

Jennie

[Brian Ellis]

Seriously though, this snowdrop could not be named because it is likely it already has a name albeit one that will never be found.  This is the very thing that has caused so much confusion among snowdrop cultivars.  Isn't that right?  What is the protocol in this situation?

Of course you are right Carolyn, it would be quite wrong to name it, the only thing to do is to continue trying to get to the bottom of the mystery.  Unfortunately, as with 'Walker Canada' it sometimes just remains a mystery

[Brian Ellis]

Here is a picture of Amy Doncaster take  today at the foot of a neighbours fence that is due to be replaced, first year of growth for me so I am delighted to see the flower.  I thought I'd better take a picture in case the workman's foot strays in the wrong direction

[David Nicholson]

Looks in better nick than some of mine (the fence I mean, not Amy) Whoops, not that I don't think Amy is nice too Brian.

[Maggi Young]

Looks in better nick than some of mine (the fence I mean, not Amy) Whoops, not that I don't think Amy is nice too Brian.

I agree with David... we have fences in much worse condition than that that we have no intention of interfering with  in the foreseeable future.

(Mind you, given how often David tells us his fences have blown away, the ones he still has ought to be in reasonable condition, having been fairly recently replaced ?!?  )



The prospect of gallumphing feet is a nightmarish thought.  It is so rare to get any understanding of the time and effort invested in our plants form outsiders. Good luck!

[Brian Ellis]

It may look in better nick than yours David, but the posts are rotten through and through, the winds of a couple of weeks ago had it over on one of my beds hence the need for replacement.  It was put up at the same time as ours and we are having to do ours too.

I think after some exchange of views during the week the penny has dropped.  I have spent a couple of hours taking the wires off the post and attaching the clematis (which are in leaf bud) to some temporary canes, he came out to find out what I was up to and said that he hoped they would not have to step on our flower beds - a massive change of viewpoint for him

[johnw]

Good luck Brian.  A few stout rebars driven in the ground might solve the problem.  By the way Amy is a beauty.

johnw

[mark smyth]

Here is a picture of Amy Doncaster take  today

wolf whistle! When I went to repot mine the bulb had become a fine brown compost.

[johnw]

Many open on the coldest day of the year.  The Whittallii is the biggest and tallest at the moment, second only to elwesii Alanja Yayla which has yet to flower - it's a brute.

johnw


x valentinei Compton Court DSCF6017
Whittallii DSCF6023
Trym imposter DSCF6018
Lavinia DSCF6009
Lapwing DSCF6010
Lady Beatrix Stanley DSCF6011

[johnw]

And more:

johnw

John Gray DSCF6008
Headbourne DSCF6012
Hans Guck in die Luft DSCF6004
elwesii Whittallii DSCF6001
elwesii Rosemary Burnham DSCF6015
Ding Dong DSCF6006
Benton Magnet DSCF6013

[art600]

A fine collection John and all looking good.

[Maggi Young]

I've edited your posts to add the file names for the search facility, John.

Can't believe you have so many out already... or that they are prepared to open so wide now.

'Hans Guck in die Luft' is really sweet.

[johnw]

I've edited your posts to add the file names for the search facility, John.

Can't believe you have so many out already... or that they are prepared to open so wide now.

'Hans Guck in die Luft' is really sweet.

Thanks for that Maggi.  The sun is getting mighty powerful here, the temp shoots up in the greenhouse at this time of year. It's very difficult to control it especially when it is bitterly cold outside..  Funny - really not so funny - it has no effect at all on the outside air temperature.  -12c last night and -6c at 16:00.  A cold night predicted with rain on Tuesday - madness.

johnw