Hello, so glad I've found you all :)

[JacquelineJ]

Hello everyone,

I'm so glad I've found this group.

I'm quite new to collecting Snowdrops, although I've had a lifelong passion for them.

I've recently moved to the Cotswolds after spending many years (37) abroad. I now own a beautiful walled garden. Last March I planted around 1000 Galanthus Nivalis "in the green"  and 5, shall we say specialty.... not that they were expensive ones.  Lady Elphinstone, Hippolyta, Hill Poe, S. Arnott and Dionysus.  This year I'm already in full snowdrop mode and I check the new growth appearing several times a day   

I'm about to buy my second lot of specialty snowdrops and have decided to concentrate on the yellows.  Primrose Warburg, Wendy's Gold... can you recommend any other "must haves" in the yellow collection?

On my wish list, I covert Ispahan for it's rose fragrance even if you can't smell it but even better if you can. Does anyone own one?
South Hayes because it looks beautiful and distinctive.  Ginn's imperati again for the fragrance.

I'm studying Snowdrops a Monograph to get up to speed and have booked my place at the Chelsea Physic Garden to paint the Snowdrops with botanical artist Gillian Barlow Feb 7th and also booked my place for a day with Val Bourne at Rodmarton on Feb 21st.  Colesbourne is very close but I don't think there will be many 'drops' open this weekend so will leave it a bit longer.  Painswick Rococo Garden is also not too far a distance.

Looking forward to getting to know you all and hopefully you can educate me in the finer points of Galanthrophilia.

[Maggi Young]

Hello Jacqueline and welcome to the forum- and to the SRGC!
Your garden sounds lovely- and there is lots of inspiration in the forum for other plants to make your whole garden year a delight....

[ChrisB]

Welcome Jacqueline!  You'll find good company here!  Galanthophiles galore....

[RichardW]

P Warburg is my favourite of the yellows though none of them really grow well here, on my third attempt with it though I do have 4 spikes this year, Madelaine is another nice one, Wendy's Gold always looks a little sickly to me. The prices of most put me off....

If you're ever in/near N Herts I'm always happy to show someone around.

[JacquelineJ]

Richard thanks for your input about Wendy's Gold.  I haven't actually seen one yet so it's good to know your opinion.  I saw Madelaine for sale on ebay but haven't yet established whether that is a good place to buy.  I need more experience which means lots of garden visiting next month... which can't be a bad thing!

[chasw]

Welcome Jacqueline to the forum,Maggie has just up dated  the galanthus events page,and the CGS event (the last one) would not be too far away from you,and am sure if you called ,you would still be able to get a ticket

[JacquelineJ]

Thanks Chris, I had noticed that little rendezvous at the CGS Snowdrop Group and I'm planning on a hastily becoming a member and getting an invite

[Alan_b]

And a welcome from me, Jacqueline.  A must-have-but-can't-get yellow snowdrop is one called 'Elizabeth Harrison' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9087106/Mutant-snowdrop-sells-for-725.html .  It turns out this was bought by Thompson and Morgan http://www.thompson-morgan.com/worlds-highest-price-paid-for-snowdrop-bulb so you'll just have to wait 10 to 15 years!

[JacquelineJ]

I'll keep an eye out for that one Alan

I'm considering buying Walrus but I'm wondering if £50 is a resonable price or if I may find it for less.  I'm finding there is a lot of variance in price depending on where you look..

It's so frustrating being a newbie as I don't yet have a handle on what is a reasonable price ... I know it's what you're prepared to pay but as I've just started my collection a year ago, I don't feel I have to have the recent find, most coveted. I'm making boundaries and my criteria is, firstly I have to love the look and secondly fragrance is important to me even if you can't really detect the scent

[Maggi Young]

I'm very keen on fragrance in flowers too, Jacqueline - I do think it takes some warm sunny weather to get the scent from snowdrops and it's not often we get that in snowdrop season!
One snowdrop that has a really good fragrance is 'Ginn's Imperati'  - just a lovely 'drop, not too hard to find.

[Alan_b]

I'm considering buying Walrus but I'm wondering if £50 is a resonable price or if I may find it for less.  I'm finding there is a lot of variance in price depending on where you look..

No, no, no!  Walrus should be much less than this.  Most of the time eBay is the most expensive place to buy snowdrops.  I cannot imagine anywhere else where someone would have the nerve to price walrus at £50 - unless you are getting a sizeable clump for that.

[JacquelineJ]

Thanks Alan, it wasn't from ebay but from a site that only sells dormant bulbs in August

I'll hold off. 
I really must get my enthusiasm in check!
I'm getting way too excited about finding my desired drops instead of waiting to get them at the right price.

[KentGardener]

Hi Jacqueline

Welcome to the friendliest plant forum on the net.   

I agree with Alan - £50 for Walrus is far too much.

John

[Ding Dong]

If you can get to London, a visit to the RHS February Show at the RHS Halls on the 19th and 20th February is well worth it - if you are looking to buy, then make sure you go on the first day (Tuesday), as the Wednesday is usually quiet! Lots of nurseries there displaying and selling snowdrops.

[kentish_lass]

Hello Jacqueline
Welcome to the forum.  Things are fairly quiet on here at the moment but in a few weeks you will see some beautiful photos of snowdrops that will really get your heart racing!

If you could get a fast train to London for the RHS it would be a very good place to start.  The displays (and scent) as you enter the halls are breathtaking.  You will get to meet members on this forum and get an idea of the real prices.  Or the CGS as there will be great plants there too.

I have always had around a dozen varieties growing in my garden but started increasing my collection about 3-4 yrs ago.  I started with all the Greatorex doubles, S. Arnott, Ginns' Imperati, Faringdon Double, Cedric's Prolific, Magnet, Viridapice, Straffan etc which make a good display very fast.

There are quite a few good sellers on eBay and some good deals can be found.   There are also many to be avoided!  The auctions go ridiculously high most of the time.

You could start this year by writing to the various snowdrop sellers asking to be put on their mailing list for next year.  Avon Bulbs has an online catalogue now and their bulbs are of superior quality and will be delivered in the green this Feb-March.

Jennie