Galanthus November and December 2007

[Rogan]

Thank you for your extremely helpful comments re. growing Galanthus in South Africa. I'm willing to give it a try, certainly with G. reginae-olgae which may very well succeed outdoors in my climate. I see Jim and Jenny Archibald stock it, so I will try it from seed in the autumn.

A Leucojum sp. (L. aestivum?) does grow quite well in moist, shady spots in my garden where it 'naturalises' modestly and produces its charming blossoms in mid-winter. However, I have to grow clumps in mole-proof wire baskets to keep the little beasties at bay - at least I don't have problems with badgers and echidnas!

[mark smyth]

Here's 'Alex Duguid' flowering way too early and yes I agree it looks like any other snowdrop but not many are twin scaped and have a very broad silver line down the leaf.

[Brian Ellis]

Here's 'Alex Duguid' flowering way too early and yes I agree it looks like any other snowdrop but not many are twin scaped and have a very broad silver line down the leaf.

... and also standing very upright, like a soldier, quick to increase and most welcome too!

[mark smyth]

yes I should have mentioned vertical stems. Mine came very cheap £1.66 each - pack of 3 for £5

[ian mcenery]

One of the few things managing to look good at the present is G reg olgae "Cambridge" which is slowly bulking up. Very welcome at this ime of year

[mark smyth]

the group photo is very good.

Working in the garden today between rain showers I see the so called 'Melvillei' has flower buds present as does the whole group of 'Castlegar', 'Atkinsii', 'Wendy's Gold', 'The Whopper' and many more

[ian mcenery]

Mark this plant is OK but there is no sign above ground of any of my G reginae olgae species even in a pot which is showing a tip just under the soil. Does anyone else have the same problem or are mine the only ones?

[Paddy Tobin]

Mark,

Could I impose on your for further information on your G. 'The Whopper'?

Over the past while I, with help, have been trying to establish the background of as many Irish cultivars as possible. G. 'The Whopper' continues to crop up as one of those which adds to confusion in the nomenclature of snowdrops.

The name was certainly used as a nickname for G. 'Cicely Hall' by some but seems to have also been associated with several other snowdrops -  in the vein, 'that one's a whopper' with the name being subsequently being applied to various cultivars, often previously un-named ones. Of course, this has led to a confusion with plant names and, in some cases, with some of these 'whoppers' being equated with 'Cicely Hall' for example because of the coincidence of nicknames.

Can you give some background to your own 'Whopper', please? Where did it originate etc?

Paddy

[mark smyth]

Mine are a mix of Margaret's and Bob's. I had measurements and other details of both but I've lost them. Grown side by side they are very different. Both are of elwesii ancestry but one showed more likeness to elwesii leaves to the other. One was also more reliably twinscaped. The Whopper tends to fall forward and Cicely stands well. Weather permitting I'll photograph The Whopper's leaves tomorrow

[Paddy Tobin]

Many thanks, Mark.

Your notes display perfectly the confusion which can arise with named snowdrops. You have plants of the same name from two reliable sources and they are different.

I'm sure this could be reported from multiple other sources also.

Paddy

[Brian Ellis]

Does anyone else have the same problem or are mine the only ones?

No you are not alone Ian, my Cambridge is only up about 2" whilst St Anne's and Hobson's Choice (for example) are nearly as far up.  I reckon it's going to be a really odd season.

[mark smyth]

there is a snowdrops day here in three months time but there wont be much to see in my garden

[ian mcenery]

Quote from Brian

"No you are not alone Ian, my Cambridge is only up about 2" whilst St Anne's and Hobson's Choice (for example) are nearly as far up.  I reckon it's going to be a really odd season."

Brian Tilebarn Jamie is up but doing very little  I am wondering if some of the Reg Olgaes will come up at all or whether they have rotted off in our wet summer. I suppose only time will tell and it is very tempting to chance a bit of finger blight - I hope I can resist

[Anthony Darby]

Yous guys must be living a whole lot nearer the equator than I am, because only the tips of even my earliest snowdrops are visible. My peshmenii is still in tight bud in a trough.

[Brian Ellis]

Ian both my Tilebarn Jamie and peshmenii are not showing at all!  As you say it may have been the winter summer wet weather.