Galanthus January 2012

[mark smyth]

Something that died / didnt come back the year after getting it is now up with a flower. It arrived soo small - Mary or is it Margaret Biddulph

[Sean Fox]

I've never been that lucky Mark 

Going back to Avon bulb deliveries, they normally deliver February/March time, last year I got mine in March, this year I think they may arrive earlier though!

[chasw]

It is Margaret Biddulph ,Mark

[mark smyth]

THanks Chas. I must write a new label. Mine says M. Biddulph

[art600]

Nor here Arthur.  Hope they don't arrive yet - I need to order more lattice pots
Jennie

If you would like some pots just call in    Not Friday am as collecting new car 

[Brian Ellis]

THanks Chas. I must write a new label. Mine says M. Biddulph

Margaret is the virescent, Mary 'has quite large flowers that hang beneath a strongly crooked spathe'

[mark smyth]

I'll have to look in daylight

[Carolyn Walker]

The three photos below are of a snowdrop given to a friend .....It blooms here at the end of November so I am thinking it is a G. elwesii.  The X looks much more distinct than other cultivars that I have seen.  Does anyone know what it is?  Carolyn

... the photos she sent me (and I posted here) were taken Feb. 28, 2004.  I asked her to take some now.  Carolyn

Now I am getting thoroughly confused.  No snowdrop in the one locale flowers from the end of November to the 28th February in the UK.  The only way this could possibly happen is if there were a spell of very cold weather during almost all the intervening period.  

So sorry, I am confused too.  She sent the photos with text that said the snowdrop started blooming around Thanksgiving (the end of November).  When johnw asked about the leaves I emailed the owner to ask the date of the photos to get an idea of how much of winter the leaves in the photo had gone through.  That's when Feb 28 came up and is why I asked the owner to take photos now.  Will report back if everyone isn't tired of this subject.

In answer to Alan's question, the owner is positive that the "X-marked" snowdrop usually starts blooming at the end of November but says that it can continue even into February if there is deep and continuous snow.  It just sits under the snow and takes up where it left off when the snow melts.  This happened with my G. elwesii during our last two snow-filled winters.  Given the size of the patch (see below), I am also wondering if seeding could result in staggered bloom times. 

The first photo shows the sheer numbers and the second shows all those Xs---galanthophile heaven!
Carolyn

[RichardW]

Not sure what has happened Jennie,we do get pheasants and squirrels in the garden,I have had a rootle around where it should be,and no sign of a bulb anywhere

Having problems with the someting eating through the flower stems at the moment,quite a few flower heads laying on the soil

am sure that's Pheasants, they do the same here with drops & snakes head fritillary 

[Alan_b]

In answer to Alan's question, the owner is positive that the "X-marked" snowdrop usually starts blooming at the end of November but says that it can continue even into February if there is deep and continuous snow.  It just sits under the snow and takes up where it left off when the snow melts. 

That really was the only possible explanation; whereas here in the south east of England there are only one or two years each century when we get deep and continuous snow for such a long period.  Just for the record, it would be nice if your friend could find some photos from November, because the November flowering time makes them much more special.

[Lina Hesseling]

Carolyn, I love this snowdrop. It looks great in a group, where you can see the mark very clearly. This is a very special one in my eyes. (I am not an expert)

Lina.

[Brian Ellis]

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

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

[johnw]

Mark - Here is elwesii 'Margaret Biddulph'.

johnw

[Mavers]

Avon Bulbs' snowdrop orders are probably going to be dispatched earlier this year Sean as the plants are so advanced.

Mike

[mark smyth]

Thanks John. Checked mine when I got up. It's green.