Snowdrop temptation
I visited Wisley gardens last week. Afterwards I’ve just got to visit the indoor plant sales (you know the feeling?). I’m looking for a packet of wild flower seeds. This is going to be a cheap visit. I buy the seeds. At the back of the building I notice a few people seating themselves so I go over to see what is happening. Someone is about to give a talk on Galanthus (Snowdrops). No time to spare for a talk but I do have time to look at the display of Snowdrops. Look at that nice tall one, top shelf, second from the right.
Snowdrop display
The tall Snowdrop is called ‘Jacquenetta’. What an attractive name. Still, I don’t really want any more Snowdrops – even tall ones.
Galanthus 'Jacquenetta'
Oh look, she has double petals inside. Pretty.
Galanthus 'Jacquenetta' with double centre
I wonder how much she would cost. The plants for sale are rather small. They cost ….eeek!….almost £12 (That’s 13 Euros, 17 US dollars, 21 Canadian dollars, 844 Indian rupees).
Far too expensive. Do they think I’m made of money. I turn away to look at house plants. Some of them are cheaper – and much bigger. More leaf for your money. Some include a ceramic pot too.
My eyes slowly return to the Snowdrops.
Galanthus 'Jacquenetta'. Why could I not resist your siren song?
13 comments
That’s precisely why I haven’t gone anywhere near a place with snowdrops for the past month or so. The current weather has saved me from a trip to Brandy Mount House this weekend.
She’s a beauty and will multiply of course, so probably has far more potential than the snubbed houseplants.
Have a great weekend :)
VP: Ah, another upside to having snow – you spend less money (lol)
She’s lovely – I have her too although she is not open yet. I must confess to having a small collection of named snowdrops. It will remain a small collection especially now that I have finished work :) They can sell at ridiculous prices even into double figures ! I would not have been able to resist. It looks as if those pots contain more than one bulb so you have a bargain :)
Anna: I am looking forward to her opening. More than one flower would be a bonus.
Oh, I know exactly how this happens. I went into a nursery yesterday for some clay pots for re-potting some houseplants…and came out with a paphiopedilum orchid that was talking to me the whole time I was there.
Sigh.
Those snowdrops are absolutely gorgeous, though. I’m sure you picked out a beaut!
Susan: I bet your orchid is feeling really pleased with itself!
The pull of flowers is amazing isn’t it?
Darla: It is indeed. I will keep my eyes closed next time :-)
Uh oh! I think you’ve just got infected with Galanthophily, a very costly disease as you’ve found out already. Dear friends of mine are Galanthophiles and they buy snowdrop bulbs at 50 pounds a bulb without batting an eye lid. You have been warned! ;-)
BTW I don’t think I could have resisted Jacquenetta either.
Yolanda Elizabet: Perhaps there is a cure for what appears to be an expensive affliction (lol)
You should know that as any self respecting gardener there is no way you will come out of a plant sale area with just a packet of seed!!
Lovely snowdrop
Helen: I thought I was strong, but I was wrong!!
It lifts my spirits to know that I am not the only one who can be hypnotized by the beauty of a plant. I just finished my order for the ‘Must Have’ list, and found myself excitedly filling in prices in the 25-30 dollars (Canadian) for one bulb! The years of pleasure that this momentary sacrifice more than make it worth while.
Teza: Well I don’t feel so guilty about my purchase now (lol)
That’s how they get you. The more implausibly expensive they are for a tiny little plant, the more you want them. It’s only going to get worse as spring grows near.
Megan: Perhaps the only answer is to stay away from garden centres!
It is a lovely, lovely thing -I am enchanted by snowdrops with double centers
K
Karen: And like Hellebores you need to bend down to appreciate them!
Well, the snowdrop looks lovely but even more desirable is the notion of being able to drop in at Wisley. We had a half-day there last year and I was amazed at the diversity. Going back is very high on my wish list!
Why not join the Hardy Plant Society. I bought a plant of this snowdrop (and other equally desirable) at our local group meetings at a fraction of the cost.
We have a wonderful display of snowdrops every year and have to dump many clumps as they become too dense. So come to Yorkshire at the end of February and take some for free :)
That sound you just heard was my heart breaking. In Canada, snowdrops are very rare, not sure why, maybe people are just tired of white after the snow. I am trying to build up a collection, but there are only three or four varities listed in the bulb catalogues, and trying to buy them in the green, impossible.
I would also love to have vast quanities of nivilis, but the dry bulbs do not seem to do well. I would probably have gone into debt at Wisley.
Leave a Comment