Stopped in my tracks this afternoon by the glimpse of a sliver of white ~ I was so excited to discover the first snowdrop flower of the new season. I did a little silly dance as you do on these occasions, before rushing in to tell himself who was not that impressed. This is galanthus 'Faringdon Double', which is the earliest double snowdrop to flower - usually in time for Christmas but more usually the new year. I am surprised to see it so early along with the snouts of other snowdrops already peering through. You can see by the liverwort and other bits growing through the gravel that I need to do some housekeeping. I wonder how long it will be before the flower opens fully. Any guesses?
I'd be excited too - it's lovely to see anything in flower at this time of year! I've had Narcissus out in November before, but not Galanthus.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see flowers of any description in November Juliet. I must look out for an early flowering narcissus or two :)
DeleteHow wonderful especially as I know you lost some of your snowdrops the other winter. Am seriously thinking of joining the Galanthus group of the HPS, especially as they have a study day in February not far from here. I am curiously fascinated
ReplyDeleteBe careful Helen - a curious fascination could soon become a fatal addiction :)
DeleteWow, how fortuante to have snowdrops already. You don't have much of a down time between your last flower of the season and your first flower of the new season. We don't have as many named Galanthus offered around here. The first snowdrop sighting is exciting. I'm still working on just getting them to bloom in spring, as my snowdrop display is usually sparse, despite the number of bulbs I've planted.
ReplyDeleteYour double bud looks fat, so I'll join the betting pool and take early Friday.
Yes it's fortunate Northern Shade but it is early in showing white this year. There are snowdrops that normally flower in October and November but I do not have any of these yet :) The bud has still to open but we have had a spell of quite cold weather since I posted this.
DeleteHow magical! And I know that dance well - it causes TNG to sigh as he knows he has to try and show interest...
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet - himself and TNG must get all sighed out at times.
DeleteWonderful, no wonder you were excited! Must go and have a look at my Farringdon Double and see if it has sprouted yet, now where did I plant it?
ReplyDeleteYes I was ridiculously excited Pauline. I know that you have found your Faringdon Double - wonder whose will flower first :)
DeleteHow lovely! And so early! I must be patient - mine don't usually appear before February, but I do the dance then too! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWill no doubt hear you dancing in a couple of months or so Cathy :)
DeleteGoodness, it's early. This November has been quite mild compared to the last couple of years so there's summer blooms still about. Perhaps your snowdrop thinks it's spring already.
ReplyDeleteIt is early and slightly out of synch Jo as it should be in flower in January rather than showing so much white in November.
DeleteHow wonderful! I've got a couple of pots on my external kitchen windowsill that are showing little green shoots. No idea what they are yet, obviously I'm not as good as remembering as I thought I was!
ReplyDeleteA guessing game is always fun though :)
DeleteI am impressed too, so Himself seems to be in a minority. Are all your snowdrops in pots, Anna, or just your 'special' ones? I must look out for Farringdon Double as it will good to have another early flowering one to look out for - it definitely needs a special little dance!
ReplyDeleteWelcome and many thanks for your comment Cathy. Just the 'special' ones are in pots. I planted them like that so I could see them from the house and enjoy them at close quarters. Growing in pots has some inherent issues so there have been some sad losses over the years. I'm hoping to get some duplicates in the ground when I have them. A special little dance was indeed called for :)
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