KentGardener's Galanthus Blog 2012

[Maggi Young]

Oh dear.... I do wish I hadn't accidentally swatted theose helicopters Rob P. sent me.... it's beautiful up here- sun's out, no snow, happy drops    and you would be most welcome   

[mark smyth]

bright sunshine here, 12 degrees, and very warm. More like a summers day. No heat on and I should have been outside topping up the tan. Very pale after being sick 

[WimB]

Oh dear.... I do wish I hadn't accidentally swatted theose helicopters Rob P. sent me.... it's beautiful up here- sun's out, no snow, happy drops    and you would be most welcome   

bright sunshine here, 12 degrees, and very warm. More like a summers day. No heat on and I should have been outside topping up the tan. Very pale after being sick 

  I wish, over here it's still freezing constantly and they predict temperatures down to - 20°C on groundlevel for the following night! So, there's not a snowdrop in sight under the snow!
But on the bright side, from tomorrow on temperatures will be gradually rising and after next weekend, it will start thawing 

[Diane Clement]

no snow

     really??

[Maggi Young]

None at all... very strange!
 Heard on the radio that the Fettercairn road is blocked by snow.... so it's getting closer. Some clouds coming over now that may have something in them to drop. We'll see.

Yesterday was even brighter than today... frost in the ground of course, but wonderful day.
Not sure how long my six different 'drops could keep the fiends happy , though......

[art600]

 

[Diane Clement]

None at all... very strange!

yes, strange indeed, down here had about 10cm or so

[Tim Ingram]

Maggi if you only have six drops and invite the fiends you will find the garden full of them when they leave! (But your extra special six might have reduced in size accordingly!). Nice to begin to put some faces to names from the forum...

[art600]

 

[KentGardener]

We are just back home after a fantastic day out at Kew Gardens - I even wangled us a behind the scenes of the alpine stock houses (Many thanks to Graham, Kit, and Michael).  

So I am now a happy man with some very happy guests as was well.  

[Maggi Young]

Excellent!  Some nice folks there and they've done your guests proud. 

[emma T]

I do love Kew. I did 6 months work experience there when i was at college, many years ago. Great people, very friendly. I have never been to visit the snowdrops there.

[KentGardener]

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog.

Saturday 8th 4th Feb - Myddleton House

9am sharp Art600, Dan and Kentish_Lass arrived at my place to collect me and my friend Paul.  Our destination today was the Galanthus sale organised by Joe Sharmon at Myddleton House in Essex.  I was really surprised that only about 60 people attended.  Perhaps they were put off by the weather threatening to snow and the bitter bitter cold.  Or perhaps the event was not well enough advertised?  This worked perfectly for those that did attend as there was plenty of room to look at the sales tables. (and no pointy elbows to contend with like I have experienced at the RHS halls.   )

The range of drops available was amazing.  Chatting to one of the nursery owners she said that it was possibly the best selection of different drops she has ever seen for sale in one place.  

On site were 'Joe Sharmon of Monksiler', 'Mike and Ann Broadhurst of Ivy Cottage', 'Ann Borrill with her lovely assistant Brian Ellis', 'The guys from Wood Chippings (sorry - I am such an air head and have forgotten your names   ), and 'Sue and Wol Staines from Glen Chantry'.  There were so many wonderful drops for sale - a really mind blowing selection.  I had set myself a strict limit on spending money as I am saving for my fast approaching trip to Madeira.  (I only had to borrow £10 off my friend when I went over budget!   )

1 - The poster
2 - The surprisingly small queue that greeted us when we arrived at 10.15am
3 - The front of the queue
4 - Wol Staines came out in advance of the 10.30 opening and gave everyone a list of what GlenChantry
would be selling.  A picture of us all reading it.
5 - We're in!
6 - Ann Borrill and Brian Ellis
7 - Me and 'Judys Snowdrops' buying some Eranthis from Monksilver
8 - EmmaT spotting 'Clovis'
9 - Kentish_Lass buying from Glen Chantry
10 - Ivy Cottage and WoodChippings

(3 more posts to follow about Saturday).

[Tim Ingram]

A few familiar faces! I was highly tempted but need to consolidate a little more with the garden and nursery. Will look out for the day next year if repeated. Hoping it thaws out for the middle of the month!

[KentGardener]

Some more pics from the Galanthus sale (entry fee to raise funds for the restoration of the E A Bowles Rock Garden).

1 - A slippery slope?.... My friend Paul buying his first ever 'named' snowdrop.  ('Comet')
2 - Peoples bags are looking heavier!  
3 - Art600 and his friend Dan with Joan Foster behind.
4 - Another pic of EmmaT glowing with happiness at getting a plant that has been on her 'list' for a long time ('Clovis')
5 - It runs in the family!  Emma's mum looking happy with her new snowdrop.
6 - Me showing off my E A Bowles entry sticker
7 - Walking back to the car park (Arthur, Jennie, Dan, Me, and Hitch).
8 - Jennie needed a cuppa from her flask to thaw out before we departed.