The Erygeum ginganteum that I ordered from White Flower Farm last week was not the first plant I bought that will be put out in the garden in 2017. I was sitting at the computer reading a depressing news story on December 1st when I heard that little email ping.
Needing a distraction I took a look and discovered that Carolyn's Shade Gardens had just posted her annual Snowdrop catalog. This is the first time I've been able to order a couple of her rarities before they sold out since she only has very limited quantities for sale. Amounts range from five to twenty pots per variety with usually only one bulb per pot.
The national news was so depressing I decided that buying wildly pricey Snowdrops was cheap therapy. I'm so excited to know these treasures will be arriving at my house "in the green" come March or April. The shipping date depends on when the plants pop up in Carolyn Walker's garden in Bryn Mawr, PA. Here's what I ordered with the pictures above the descriptions which mostly come from Carolyn's catalog.
Galanthus ‘Primrose Warburg’ (Yellow Hybrid Snowdrop)
This has intense yellow markings on the inner segment and ovary (the “cap” above the petal-like segments), much coveted by collectors. It originated at South Hayes, the garden of the famous British collector Primrose Warburg, and chosen by her fellow galanthophiles after her death in 1996 as the most suitable snowdrop to bear her name.
Galanthus nivalis 'Blonde Inge' (Yellow Common Snowdrop)
This is the first snowdrop to have yellow markings on its inner segments while the ovary remains green. It was discovered by Nicholas Topp in 1977 in a cemetery near Cologne, Germany, and introduced to the UK in 1993. This is supposed to be a vigorous snowdrop that grows rapidly to form an impressive clump which would make it well worth the price. Carolyn says hers emerge green and turn yellow, something to remember in the future. The name comes from the lyrics of a 1920s-era German foxtrot about taking blonde Inge home.
Galanthus elwesii ex Carolyn's Shade Gardens (Giant Snowdrop).
Named after Henry John Elwes, a Victorian botanist among many other skills, who built up one of the all-time great snowdrop collections.
According to "The Plant Lover's Guide to Snowdrops" the giant snowdrop exhibits quite a lot of natural variation. As a result it's given rise to many selections and hybrids, which I suspect includes Carolyn's own offering. She describes it thus: "early-blooming, beautifully scented, large white flowers with the inner segments (petals) boldly marked with green at both the top and bottom (or merged into a single large green mark) and broad, blue-gray leaves; multiplies quickly, tolerates hotter and drier locations."
Just thinking about these Snowdrops, and knowing they will arrive when winter's winding down, will help me make it through the remaining weeks of winter in Wisconsin.
I love the one with the yellow caps!
I need to look for pots of forced snowdrops in the next couple of weeks -- otherwise I may resort to many pieces of cake.
Posted by: Cindy at enclos*ure | Thursday, January 05, 2017 at 03:03 AM
They are all quite beautiful but the yellow one, Primrose Warburg, is definitely worth what ever you paid. It is so unusual.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Thursday, January 05, 2017 at 05:40 AM
Years ago, I attended a small private talk by John Grimshaw, "Mr Snowdrop" (I just made that up, I doubt he'd appreciate the name). It was interesting to see someone be so enthralled by the tiny details of these tiny flowers. Congrats on your new garden additions!
Posted by: Loree / danger garden | Thursday, January 05, 2017 at 11:08 AM
Loree — I have to admit my Galanthus 'Magnet' is noticeably different which helped to convince me to try some of these others. I figure that yellow will make these obviously different as well. Plus they are all small enough to squeeze into a full garden!
Posted by: Linda from Each Little World | Thursday, January 05, 2017 at 12:09 PM
Wow, I love those yellows. I think you'll be very happy with your purchases and I know Carolyn sends nice plants.
I may have made a few pricey purchases as well. What better way to get through the winter!
Posted by: D | Thursday, January 05, 2017 at 07:02 PM
They are absolutely beautiful, and say Spring! Spring! Spring! Thanks for the informative post!
Posted by: Cecilia | Friday, January 06, 2017 at 02:52 PM
Glad to have stumbled across your blog :-) I love snowdrops and miss them greatly living in Florida. I never knew there is a yellow variety, looks lovely!
Posted by: Gone Tropical | Saturday, January 07, 2017 at 12:31 PM
Isn't retail therapy grand? You got some beauties.
Posted by: Peter/Outlaw | Sunday, January 08, 2017 at 10:02 AM
Peter — Online shopping is the best and worst invention ever!
Posted by: Linda from Each Little World | Sunday, January 08, 2017 at 11:18 AM