Are you a Galanthophile?

A galanthophile is an enthusiastic collector and identifier of snowdrop (Galanthus) species and cultivars.

"The Galanthus, or Snowdrop, is one of our chastest and most beautiful flowers, and its pure blossoms are universally appreciated. It is more varied in character and in its time of blooming than many are aware of." Samuel Arnott in The Book of Bulbs

In Europe Snowdrop-mania has escalated over the years into an almost frenzied obsession with rare and unusual cultivars. Snowdrop bulbs can easily sell for over a $100,000. Is it becoming a version of 17th- century Holland's tulipmania?

www.heraldscotland.com/news/17964455.snowdrop-bulbs-now-fetch-hundreds/

There are  Snowdrop Fairs, 'Galanthofilia' all over Europe selling all things snowdrops from plants to postcards to hand painted crockery and everything in between. 

An increase in articles on the snowdrop in Canadian publications seems to hint at a burgeoning interest on this side of the pond too. Before I tempt you with some charming images I should warn you that finding retail varieties beyond the common snowdrop is difficult in Canada. On the bright side the little snowdrop is given to mutation and you never know what you might find in a garden centre pot or a neighbour's woodland garden.

Phoenix perennials grow some https://www.phoenixperennials.com/plant-encyclopedia/ but they don't appear on their mail order list, however Caitlyn Seward their mail order team leader assures me they have them growing in their greenhouse. 

Milner garden in Qualicum Beach usually has some for sale but are between horticulturists and the supply may be limited.

UBC  Friends of the Garden sell some of the six varieties growing in the botanical garden but their shop is by appointment only, no mail order. 

Update, an email from UBC "Thanks for your enquiry about galanthus. We do bring galanthus species and named varieties into the Shop/Garden Centre each year. 

Typically in February/March we sell small pots of galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno', woronowii, nivalis Viridapice, gracilis, and elwesii. In September the FOG volunteers put on an annual event called the Treasured Bulb Sale in which we specialize in species spring bulbs and this is where one might be able to snatch a "Rosemary Burnham" or other treasured rare bulbs, if you're quick".

Or have a friend in the Netherlands send you some bulbs. Canada has a pre inspection agreement with the Netherlands and as long as they are for home garden use and carry the appropriate sticker bulbs will be allowed in.

Snowdrops prefer to be planted in Spring as growing plants. For Fall planting, bulbs are sold green i.e. undried and need to be planted as soon as possible after receiving them. Dried out bulbs do not do well.

Lady Beatrix Stanley

Galanthus 'Lady Beatrix Stanley
credit: carolynsshadegardens.com/

As above

Height 12cm, 2.5cm wide double flowers with green dots at the end of each petal. Late winter /early spring bloomer.  Colonizes quickly to form a solid clump.

Named after Lady Beatrix Stanley (née Taylour), (1877 – 3 May 1944) Lady Beatrix was an aristocrat, the daughter of a marquis and the wife of an earl’s younger son who was later knighted for his service to the government.  She was also a great plantswoman, well known in the English horticultural circles of her time for her knowledge of gardening. After several years in India, where she studied and reported on local gardening, she  returned to England and indulged her passion for bulbs particularly snowdrops. She and her friends avidly exchanged bulbs so the origin of this particular one seems to be unknown. It still grows in her grandson's garden.

Lady Elphinstone

Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Lady Elphinstone'
via pinterest

‘Lady Elphinstone’ grows to about 15cm. the flowers consist of  three elongated outer petals and several shorter inner petals.  ‘The inner petals are doubled. The markings on those doubled petals are yellow instead of the usual green. The first year of blooming the markings may be green but are yellow from then on. Slow to spread.

.Sir Graeme Elphinstone, reportedly discovered the showy little snowdrop in 1890 while walking on the grounds of his Cheshire estate, Heawood Hall.  Sir Graeme named the unusual plant in honor of his wife or daughter.  The snowdrop was so interesting and different that he gave it to a noted Scottish plantsman and snowdrop enthusiast, Samuel Arnott.   Arnott (1852-1930) was fabled for passing choice varieties on to influential gardening friends, and that is probably how ‘Lady Elphinstone’ found its way into circulation.

Sometimes available for purchase from Temple Nursery, Box 591, Trumansburg, NY 14886

Sam Arnott

Galanthus 'S. Arnott
credit: gardenia.net

15 to 20cm tall with a sturdy stem and a 2.5cm flower with thick white petals.  It gives off a pleasant honey scent and is suitable for cutting. It flowers late Winter /Early Spring and lasts several weeks. It naturalises well. It has been sold by Phoenix Perennials in the past.

Sam Arnott (1852-1930) was a Scottish Provost (similar to a mayor) who in retirement became a well regarded gardener. He cultivated the Sam Arnott from a bunch growing in his garden and it quickly became popular due to its scent and robustness. He was also the author of "The Book of Bulbs" amongst other works. Although not in print it is available for purchase on Amazon.

Viridapice

credit: RHS

'Viridapice' grows to 15cm, with narrow, grey-green leaves and solitary, nodding, fragrant white flowers 2.5cm in length.  The inner segments are marked with green at the tip, and the outer segments are tipped with green shading. It is on the Phoenix Perennials list. It has become popular because of the green shading on the outer petals. The current fad, so I am informed, is to find a snowdrop with completely green petals. 

It was found near an old farmhouse in northern Holland by Mr. J. M. C. Hoog, of the Dutch bulb family, before 1916.

I would love to know what kinds of snowdrops you have growing in your garden. Email the blog or post a picture on the garden club face book page.