Yesterday, Sunday, has been the first day for such a long time when we have had no rain and non stop sunshine all day and what a difference it has made to the snowdrops and other flowers in the woodland. The snowdrops open their petals wide and their lovely markings are there for everyone to see. There are lots more still to open but I thought that I would share with you the ones that I photographed yesterday.
This one is G. Lapwing, one bulb bought about 3 yrs ago, so increasing nicely.
Magnet is recognised by its long pedicel, the thin green part that holds the flower, and yes, I must certainly spread these around, they are increasing so well.
Sorry, not quite in focus, I must have taken about a dozen and this is the best, the camera just didn’t want to focus! G.Trumps has very strong distinguishing marks on the outer petals.
A better photo of Trumps from above.
Yes, I know I said that the flowers were all open in the sunshine, but look what I discovered when looking at G. Wendy’s Gold. With one bulb bought about 4 yrs ago, there are now 5 bulbs, but if you look carefully, each bulb is putting up 2 flowers. Looking at all 3 of my snowdrop books, only Freda Cox’s Guide to Snowdrops which I got for Christmas, mentions that it is a strong bulb which increases well, sometimes putting up 2 scapes (flowers) In previous years it has only had one flower for each bulb, so I think Wendy must be happy!
By the front gate, but not increasing, is Anglesey Abbey which is almost all white, with just 2 tiny dots on the inner petals. I think when it has finished flowering, I will move it to the woodland where I think it will be happier.
Galanthus Ellwesii is in the back border, before you cross the bridge into the woodland, this is just starting to increase after a few years of just sitting there!
I only have a few of special double snowdrops as most of them seem the same to me, this is G Cordelia, one of the Greatorex doubles.
Lady Beatrice Stanley is another double, but she is very different with the markings on the inner petals reduced to two spots.
Another Greatorex double is Hippolyta.
With long drooping outer petals is G. Modern Art which is on the small hill at the end of the woodland.
G. Angelique is on the rockery at the side of the house, unfortunately the markings are not showing well on this photo, there is just a very thin green arch on the inner petals, this has increased nicely over the last few years.
I forgot to photograph this one, St. Annes, yesterday, and of course with it being cloudy and cold today, she didn’t want to open up for me. This is a tiny, delicate looking snowdrop, but she is increasing well. This one is about the same size as the single wild snowdrop but has much more interesting marks on the inner petals.
When showing G gracilis before, I have concentrated on the twisted leaves, but now, having opened up in the sunshine, we can see the lovely markings on the inner petals.
Looking like a Tiffany lampshade is Leucojum vernum, the spring snowflake. I think I also need to move this one to the woodland because we usually have more than one flower, I don’t think it’s happy!
Another couple of weeks and I should have some different snowdrops to share with you, more are opening each day and make a trip to the woodland essential for me.
