Snowdrops: Theirs is a fragile but hardy celebration…in the very teeth of winter. Louise Beebe Wilder (1878-1938) – American Gardening Writer

Presentation: Snowdrops and Snowflakes by Michael D Myers

It is becoming increasingly popular to collect Snowdrops and visit displays of Snowdrops in gardens. Originating in Europe, they have been in the UK for 300 – 400 years. A genus of 20 species, we learnt that Snowdrops are distinguished by scent, flower shapes and colours, leaves and markings, size, time of flowering and cost - some being sold at well over £1000 per bulb for a rare plant!

Michael’s illustrated talk showed us the various species and explained how to grow with other bulbs to create a long season. For Snowdrops in pots, Michael recommended a mix of 25% SylvaGrow peat free compost, 25% John Innes No.3, 25% horticultural grit and 25% perlite and suggested this as a feed.

Friday Forum members were able to purchase Snowdrops and other spring flowering plants.

Display Table

Kate brought this attractive low growing Amaryllis with three stems

and a dish of Hellebore heads

Maggie brought Narcissus “Bridle Crown” purchased at the Ilkley florists, Erica Berry. A scented plant for in or outdoors

Maggie also brought Narcissus Minnow, Snow Baby and Tête-à-tête and a sprig of vinca

Dorothy brought a container of Hellebores

From her garden, Gill J brought Snowdrops including the early Mrs Mcnamara, named after the mother-in-law of Dylan Thomas, which bloomed before Christmas, Viburnum Dawn, Cornus Mid-Winter Flame, Jasmine nudiflorum, Hellebores, Crocuses, Anemone blanda, Camellia, Pulmonarias blue and white and Garrya elliptica

Ann brought Hamamelis Aphrodite, dark white and yellow Helleborus, Iris unguicularis, Narcissus Tête-à-tête, Crocus tommasinianus, Hepatica ballardii, Galanthus nivalis S. Arnott, Puschkinia, Clematis Freckles and Eranthis hyemalis

Next Meeting: 1^st March - AGM and forum on ‘no dig’ gardening method by Charles Dowding

Pot-et-Fleur

The pot-et-fleur is a Victorian idea which combines potted plants and cut flowers which gives a lasting and colourful impact.  The pots and cut flowers can be replaced according to the season to give the design many weeks of beauty.

Kate demonstrated this idea using a wooden crate in which she arranged pots of evergreens with differing forms and colour: Libertine with its sword shaped leaves, the black grass Ophiopogon, Hebe ‘Red Edge’, Pittisporum, Heuchera ‘Caramel’, Pachysandra and Polyanthus.

Other ideas were using tubes, tiny jars or oasis to add cut flowers to the arrangements and using shower caps to line small baskets.

Other arrangements created by Friday Forum members:

Norma's charming arrangement finished off with moss from the garden

Linda's container includes silver Artemisia, black grass

Christine's sunny arrangement includes the tree sapling grown by Eric

Peter's dwarf conifers of various shades with a succulent in flower

Ann's arrangement with Hellebores, double Primulas and Solenum

Liz's arrangement includes Hellebores, yellow and white giant pansies and muscari

Judith's gold and yellow theme includes Euonymus Emerald 'n Gold

Margaret M's pot with Bellis, Ivy and Thyme

Janet's arrangement with blue grass, ivy and thyme

Sug G's Snowdrops and muscari

Display Table

Sue G’s vase contains the fragrant Daphnes Jacqueline Postill, Brouillard, Viburnum Dawn, Lonicera – Winter Honeysuckle.

Maggie brought Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Purple Stem’, and low growing Viburnum tinus ‘Gwenllian’ and bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’

 

Kate brought a spring of  Edgeworthia chrysantha

Caroline brought some books on container gardening

Marjorie’s bright Jasmine nudiflorum

Next Meeting

16th February: Presentation - Building a Chelsea Garden. Martin Wright