greentapestry : "Avon Calling"

Friday 20 January 2012

"Avon Calling"

The arrival of the postie with a parcel in his hands has cheered up an otherwise dismal and most wet January morning. The delivery contained three snowdrops from the excellent Avon Bulbs. If you have been visiting my blog for a while you will know that I am rather partial to these early flowering beauties. I would not call myself a galanthophile but given the financial wherewithal I could slide down that slippery route.  I am very slowly trying to build up my small collection which was decimated over the last couple of years. I wrote about them in their glory days here and then about the travesty that befell them here.

Inside the package were 'drops to replace ones that I had before but lost in the big freeze ~ 'Robin Hood', the definitely different 'Blewbury Tart' and the Greatorex double 'Ophelia'. I shall be heading to the greenhouse later to pot them up. However my long term intentions are to move away from keeping them in pots to planting them in the ground. I was initially reluctant to do this because of our squirrel population, but my losses were due to the fact that the bulbs in pots could not cope with two long and hard consecutive winters. I knew that I was taking a risk by planting them in pots but still I got a good few years innings from them before winter stopped play.

As you can see Avon Bulb's packaging is excellent. I have ordered from them several times before and have always been impressed by the quality of plants, packaging and also by the lovely lady in their office, who I have spoken to on the telephone several times over the years. Tucked into the box was a sample of one of their snowdrop greetings cards ~ I feel myself going weak at the knees.

11 comments:

  1. My knees are weak too, Anna, if only I could get a box at my door like that. Hope these do well for you in the ground.

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  2. Hope these do better than the last lot. Have you thought about planting them in the ground with some chicken wire above them, but still covered by the earth, that should foil the squirrels attempts to get at them.

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  3. Hi Anna! In my ignorance I had to look up galanthophile so I have learned something new today.

    I inherited snowdrops in the front garden and only in the last few years realised how many varieties there are. I will certainly be taking a look at Avon Bulbs.

    Happy planting! :-)

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  4. Wow, I didn't realise there were so many different snowdrops. I'll to see if I can identify mine. Enjoy your parcel, hope they do well.

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  5. I love snowdrops, too! Do you plant them now? Here in the colder north, we would have planted in fall. :) yes, not being a millionaire certainly does curb one's plant buying zeal!! :)

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  6. What a fabulous antidote to a dull day. Good luck with the new additions, I hope they go forth and multiply!

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  7. Hi Anna,

    My word you're evil! I so want to go order myself some now... grrrrrrrrrrrr

    :D

    (I had to post as my blogger account because the word varification wasn't recognising my typing.)

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  8. My kind of parcel. Did you see

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenstovisit/9025624/The-whites-of-spring-snowdrops-at-Colesbourne-Park.html

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  9. Ooooo Anna, going a tad envious here. I’m certainly no galanthophile either but this post sold me on the packaging! It has been some years since I have ordered plants online but I can remember the excitement very well.

    Sounds like you are hooked on the snowdrop, Anna. Lol… I would be too if I left well alone in my borders and they had a chance to survive. I’m becoming hooked on crocus, maybe when that wears off I’ll start again with snowdrops :-)

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  10. Great post title and how cheering, Anna. Gallivanting with galanthus is like tip-toeing through the tulips but earlier in the year.
    p.s. Someone should inform the squirrels that they are now back on British menus

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  11. It's always a good idea to plant snowdrops in the 'green' and your choices look particularly lovely Anna.

    I remember you mentioning Avon bulbs last year too. I shall definitely be looking them up.

    It's good to be back!

    Jeanne
    x

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All your comments are much appreciated and treasured. I wil try to reply to everyone who leaves a comment, but it may take me a few days, especially when I start spending more time in the garden and at the lottie. I know that you will understand :) I am sure that I will also visit your blog if I have not already done so. If you have any specific questions I will either reply to them here or you can email me at : thegreentapestry@gmail.com

Namasté

- Anna.