Galanthus

AGM by Roundtable

AGM Report 2016

© RHS/ Lee Beel

Author Kirsty Angwin AGM round table coordinator, The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

RHS Galanthus

AGM by Roundtable

The criteria which a plant needs to fulfil in order to receive the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) are:

excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions

available

of good constitution

essentially stable in form and colour

reasonably resistant to pests and diseases AGM by roundtable discussion is a method of awarding AGM when the genus or plant group in question displays any or all of the following criteria:

impractical or impossible to trial

not in the trials plan for the next 5 years

proposing plant committee does not contain the expertise to recommend ‘in house’ and has the following attributes:

current lack of AGMs

relevant to today’s gardener

outside expertise is identified

Present at Meetings: Christopher Grey-Wilson (Chairman), Rod Leeds, Mary Randall, Dick Bathe, Jan Pennings, Alan Street (present at second meeting only) Apologies: Sir Nicholas Bacon (both meetings) Host Gardens: 10th February 2016 at Mr and Mrs Staines, ‘Glen Chantry’ and Mr and Mrs Leeds ‘Chesnuts’ 24th February 2016 at Dr Ronald Mackenzie ‘Barn Cottage’ and Colesbourne Park (courtesy of Sir and Lady Elwes RHS Staff: Kirsty Angwin (AGM Round table Coordinator)

Picture © Galanthus ‘Ailwyn’

Rod Leeds

Background Information The Galanthus forum was created by RHS Joint rock plant committee to assess snowdrops in 2015. On February 10th and February 24th 2016 the forum comprising; Christopher Grey-Wilson (Chairman), Rod Leeds, Mary Randall, Dick Bathe, Jan Pennings and Alan Street (second meeting only) met on two occasions to assess a total of 104 Galanthus cultivars. The criteria for selection has included; Available from several suppliers Recognisable and distinct Garden worthiness Longevity in the garden Early, mid and late season varieties It was judged that the forum put together from breeders, nursery men, collectors and from the RHS joint rock and bulb committee had sufficient knowledge to arrive at a sound conclusion on the cultivars awarded. Hardiness rating for all Galanthus up to H6 = -20/-15 Hardy – very cold winter. The voting forum made the following recommendations at this roundtable discussion: The Panel recommended the Society's AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT to: Galanthus ‘Ailwyn’ Found at Anglesey Abbey Cambridgeshire in 1994 and named after Lord Fairhaven. A selection made a few years later as ‘Lady Fairhaven’ was deemed to be the same, so the name ‘Ailwyn’ takes precedence Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivars Often described as a perfectly formed double, this fine early spring flowering cv deserves wider recognition. Leaves glaucous, more or less erect, 7-10 x 1.2-1.5 cm at flowering, with a hooded apex. Scapes equalling the leaves, arched, Outer tepals 3, concave, half-spreading, 22-25 x 14-17 mm, plain. Inner tepals 9-15 mostly, about two thirds the length of the outer, with a shallow apical notch, marked by a two small green apostrophes, one on each side of the notch, these occasionally joined into a narrow U-shape; anther imperfect, often accompanied by several unmarked petaloids. Ovary very narrow, conical.

Picture © Galanthus ‘Augustus’

Rod Leeds

Forum comments: ‘Ailwyn’ and ‘Lady Fairhaven’ are the same plants. It was agreed that Ailwyn is the correct name

Galanthus ‘Augustus’ No exact date is known for the name. It was named by Amy Doncaster over forty years ago for the doyen of gardeners Edward Augustus Bowles. Description: Group: Species Cultivars A well-known and prolific and vigorous cv ideal for naturalising in the garden. Leaves broad and curved, ascending, glaucous with shiny deep green stripes, 9-14 x 2-2.8 cm at flowering, with margins clearly revolute in the lower half. Scapes solitary, occasionally two, more or less erect, to 18 cm long. Outer tepals markedly concave, curved, 18-23 mm long, slightly less wide, the surface noticeable puckered. Inner tepals about half the length of the outer, almost as broad as long, with a very shallow apical notch, with an apple-green X-shaped mark extending to most of the length of the tepal, with paler green between incurved basal "arms"; the green lines inside run from close to the apex to the base. Ovary rounded. Forum comments: Bulks up well.

Galanthus elwesii (Hiemalis Group) ‘Barnes’ The stock came from the last garden of Oliver Wyatt in Suffolk. It is a very reliable flowering autumn snowdrop that bulks up quickly. Description: Group: Species Cultivars Flowering well before Christmas, this is possibly the earliest G. elwesii selection to come into flower the closely similar 'Earliest of All' in fact flowers several weeks later on average. The flowers are faintly scented. Leaves glaucous, 2, sometimes 3, erect, only partly developed at flowering and then 5-7 x 1-1.3 cm. Scapes erect 12-16 cm long. Outer tepals shallowly concave, plain, 20-24 x 10-12 mm. Inner tepals about a half to two thirds the length of the outer, somewhat longer than wide, with a mid-green, uniform U mark just below the shallow apical notch, with the inner green lines confined to the upper two thirds of the teal. Ovary egg-shaped. Forum comments: Flowers from November over a long period and is a good and large garden snowdrop. Reliable in both sun/shade.

Picture © Galanthus elwesii ‘Barnes’

Rod Leeds

Picture © Galanthus elwesii ‘Comet’

Doug Joyce

Picture © Galanthus plicatus ‘Diggory’

Rod Leeds

Galanthus elwesii ‘Comet’ This large clone was spotted by John Morley in the rock garden at Wisley forty years ago. It was named after the comet Kohoutek which appeared in 1973. Description: Group: Species Cultivar An old and proven, widely grown, cultivar with well-formed large flowers borne on long arching stalks. Leaves glaucous, 2, occasionally 3, arched, partly developed at flowering and then 17-22 x 2-2.2 cm, with a slight hooded tip, pronouncedly wrapped (supervolute) at the base. Scapes arched to erect, to 27 cm long, the spathes curved, slightly longer than the curved pedicels. Outer tepals shallowly concave, half-spreading, 32-35 x 22-25 mm, plain white or with 7-9 uneven short green lines towards the apex. Inner segments about one third the length of the outer, longer than wide, with a well-marked apical notch and a bold deep olive green mark, like a deer trotter, just below the notch. Ovary narrow egg-shaped, deep green. Forum comments: An excellent plant with substantial flowers and big leaves. Reliable green tips.

Galanthus plicatus ‘Diggory’ A Norfolk snowdrop which is instantly recognisable, with its large round and puckered outer segments. Proving to be very easy to cultivate in a sunny well drained position.

Description: Group: Species Cultivar An unusual and distinctive cv readily identified in the garden, with the outer tepals curling in pantaloon-like giving the flowers a characteristic flat bottom. Leaves glaucous, usually two, erect, short at flowering and then 5-7 x 1.4-1.6 cm. Scapes erect, one, occasionally two, to 17 cm long, the spathes short and more or less erect, shorter than the arched pedicels. Outer tepals 24-27 mm long, almost as wide, markedly incurved in the upper half and distinctly narrowed into a stalk at the base, puckered overall. Inner tepals about one third to a half the length of the outer, with a pale green mark covering most of the surface but free of the base, more or less X-xhaped with the lower half of the X filled in. Ovary egg-shaped.

Forum comments: Superb texture to petals. A well-known plant and in demand, an outstanding snowdrop.

Picture © Galanthus elwesii ‘Godfrey Owen’ Rod Leeds

Galanthus plicatus ‘E.A. Bowles’ Found by Michael Myers in 2004 in the garden of Myddleton House, Enfield. This was the garden of E.A. Bowles and was appropriately given his name.

Description: Group: Species Cultivar One of the finest poculiform snowdrops, those with equal inner and outer tepals. The plant is a typical plicate with the distinctive folding of the leaves and larger than those of many G. nivalis cultivars. The flowers, like flared skirts, have 6 more or less equal pure white tepals, none with a notched tip, these about 28-33 mm long. Ovary egg-shaped. Forum comments: A nice distinctive snowdrop

Picture © Galanthus plicatus ‘E.A. Bowles’

Rod Leeds

Galanthus elwesii ‘Godfrey Owen’ Found last century by the late Margaret Owen in Shropshire and named for her husband. A stunning even six segmented snowdrop with great vigour. Description: Group: Species Cultivar A large-flowered and very distinctive snowdrop noted for its cartwheel-like flowers, being the only cultivar to date with a double compliment of tepals, being 6 outer and 6 inner. Leaves glaucous, two or three, ascending, 8-11 x 0.6-0.8 cm at flowering, weakly enwrapped (supervolute) at the base, slightly hooded at the apex. Scapes erect, to 18 cm long with arching spathes. Outer tepals 6, widely spreading, shallowly concave, symmetrically arranged into a wheel, 18-21 x 12-13 mm, blunt, unmarked. Inner tepals 6, rarely more, the extras usually imperfect, forming a slightly disorganised whorl, half the length of the outer and with a small apical sinus, each adorned with a pair of small green dots close to the sinus or notch. Ovary conical, tapering into the pedicel.

Picture © Galanthus John Gray Rod Leeds

Picture © Galanthus nivalis

f.pleniflorus ‘Flore Pleno’

Doug Joyce

Forum comments: Distinctive, has a big flower, beautiful and elegant rounded petals. Early flowering Galanthus ‘John Gray’ A snowdrop that has stood the test of time. Over fifty years old, this cultivar is early to flower. It came originally from the garden of John Gray from Benhall in Suffolk. Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivars An old and well-proven cv highly esteemed by snowdrop enthusiasts (galanthophiles). The flowers are beautifully formed and large, tending to weigh down the pedicels. Leaves glaucous, usually two, erect to ascending, 8-11 x 0.9-1.2 cm at flowering, with slightly incurved margins and a hooded apex. Scapes often two, sometimes solitary, the second later, shorter and with a rather smaller flower, the spathes equalling the pedicels. Outer tepals substantial, concave, plain, 30-32 x 19-21 mm, spreading, slightly narrowed at the base. Inner tepals about one third the length of the outer with a deep apical sinus and a deep green X-shaped mark covering most of the surface but paling towards the base and with the basal "arms" more or less infilled. Ovary narrow egg-shaped. Forum comments: Early, graceful, nice markings. Likes sun and shelter. Quite distinctive. Galanthus nivalis f.pleniflorus ‘Flore Pleno’ The only naturalised snowdrop that was awarded an AGM. There is a consistency of stock, which although sterile has spread prolifically throughout the country. Although only recorded in the last three hundred years it had obviously been introduced many years before.

Description: Group: Species Cultivar A very well-known and widely grown and naturalised plant in Britain, with variable and often slightly untidy flowers, but none-the-less excellent garden snowdrop. Leaves 2, occasionally 3, glaucous, 8-14 x 0.5-1 cm at flowering, curving outwards, the margins flat to slightly revolute. Scapes ascending to erect, 7-14 cm long, the spathes curved (arched), sometimes erect, linear-lanceolate, about as long as the erect pedicels. Outer tepals 3-5, curved and concave, widely spreading, 17-23 x 8-13 mm. Inner tepals in several whorls, up to 21, often very uneven with a number aberrant, mostly longer than wide, the outer at least with a small apical notch (sinus), most with a small U- or V-shaped, mark close to the sinus end, generally with expanded "arms". Ovary narrow conical.

Forum comments: A good, prolific flowering uniform plant. Somewhat ungainly. Galanthus elwesii ‘Mrs Macnamara’

Mrs McNamara was Dylan Thomas’s mother –in-law. For some time the name ‘Milkwood’ was applied to this selection. Today her name takes precedence for this early reliable snowdrop of good substance.

Picture © Galanthus elwesii ‘Mrs MacNamara’

Rod Leeds

Description: Group: Species Cultivar A fine, robust and reliable early flowering cv, generally appearing shortly into the new year. Leaves glaucous, erect, 7.5--10 x 1.2-1.5 cm at flowering but then only partly developed, with a distinctive pointed apex, strongly wrapped (supervolute) at the base. Scape solitary, erect, to 20 cm long, the spathes slightly curved, noticeably shorter than the thick erect pedicels. Outer tepals concave, spreading, 26-30 x 15-20 mm, with a markedly narrowed base. Inner tepals about a half to thirds the length of the outer, with a well-marked but shallow apical sinus and a V-shaped green mark just below it, the mark with uniform "arms"; inside the green lines run almost to the base. Ovary egg-shaped. Forum comments: Flowers in December. Trouble free, reliable early flowering.

Galanthus ‘South Hayes’ A probable seedling from G.’Trym’ found in the garden of the late Primrose Warburg of South Hayes in Oxfordshire.

Picture © Galanthus ‘South Hayes’

Rod Leeds

Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivar A fine and very distinctive and elegant cv thought to be a seedling of G. plicatus 'Trym'. Leaves 2, glaucous, ascending to erect, to 6.5 x 1 cm, with 2 or 3 margins revolute, the other 1 or 2 flat. Scape 11-14 cm long, the spathes erect, slightly curved, linear-lanceolate, slightly exceeding the pedicel in length. Outer tepals rather flat, curving outwards, grooved down the centre, 15-16 x 9-10 mm, with a deep green triangular mark at the apex, separated from, or joined to, an oblong blotch of the same colour. Inner tepals about two thirds the length of the outer, green overall except for the white margins, the mark waisted in the middle and notched at the apex. Ovary rounded. Forum comments:

Picture Galanthus ‘Spindlestone Surprise’

Rod Leeds

Galanthus ‘Spindlestone Surprise’ This yellow marked snowdrop was given to Primrose Warburg in 1989 and named in February 1997.(AGS Bulletin Vol. 66 P.324.) In February 1998 G. ‘Spindlestone Surprise’ was presented to the Joint Rock Garden Plant Committee at Dunblane where it gained an Award of Merit. After examining numerous displays in different gardens it was concluded that they are the same and as G ’Primrose Warburg’ was published first this should be the cultivar name.

Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivar A deservedly popular "yellow" cv which is very similar to another 'Primrose Warburg', differing in small points of difference. Leaves 2, glaucous, more or less erect, 13-17 x 0.9-1.2 cm, flat, with the margins shortly revoluted. Scapes solitary or two in succession, erect, 18-22 cm long, the spathes narrow, slightly curved, equalling the pedicels. Outer tepals concave, plain white, 21-24 x 14-17 mm, narrowed at the base. Inner tepals about two thirds the length of the outer, with a small apical sinus and a yellow U-shaped marked close to the sinus, the "arms" with rounded ends. Ovary egg-shaped, yellow.

Picture © Galanthus ‘Spindlestone Surprise’

Rod Leeds

Forum comments: This plant has also been called Primrose Warburg. It was agreed that ‘Sprindlestone Surprise’ was the correct name. A vigorous plant.

Picture Galanthus ‘S.Arnott’

Rod Leeds

Galanthus ‘S.Arnott’ Although well over fifty years old this is a snowdrop is still judged to be the classic single. First offered to the public by the Giant Snowdrop Company of Chalford in Gloucestershire in the 1950’s. Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivar A widely grown and easy snowdrop with a robust constitution. Leaves glaucous, ascending to spreading, 15-18 x 1-1.4 cm, one leaf with at least one margin explicate, the other with flat of somewhat revolute margins. Scape sturdy, erect, exceeding the leaves, 25-32 cm long, the spathes narrow, curved, slightly shorter or equalling the pedicels that are curved at the top, to 5 cm long. Outer tepals firm, thick, elliptical, strongly concave, 28-32 x 16-18 mm. Inner tepals about half the length of the outer, forming a close cone, with a shallow apical sinus and a broad, rather narrow, olive green, V-shaped mark just below the sinus.

Picture © Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’

Jon Evans

Forum comments: Best standard snowdrop, very strong

Galanthus plicatus ‘Three Ships’ A snowdrop for Christmas. Found under a cork oak tree in Henham Park, Suffolk by John Morley and Lady Pricilla Bacon in the 1980’s. Thrives in a sunny position. Picture © Galanthus ‘Three Ships’

Rod Leeds

Description: Group: Species Cultivar A popular and distinctive cv best known because it flowers in the depths of winter, often around Christmas. Leaves ascending to erect, only partly developed at flowering, to 17 x 1.8 mm, with plicate margins. Scape solitary or occasionally two per bulb, erect, 10-14 mm long, the spathes linear-lanceolate. Outer tepals spreading, rounded, strongly concave, 18-21 x 15-19 mm, the apex slightly hooded, the surface somewhat puckered. Inner tepals about half the length to two thirds the length of the outer, flared at the apex around a deep sinus, with a distinctive green mark that is V-shaped just below the sinus, extending into an oval most of the way to the base where there is a narrow white triangle. Ovary rounded.

Forum comments: Flowers in November/December. Reliable, good plant – out for Christmas.

Galanthus ‘Trumps’ The image shows its vigour Description: Group: A single early flowering hybrid of great vigour. Inner and outer segments have dark green heart shaped marks. Found at North Green, Suffolk in 1999.' Forum comments: Easy, grows anywhere has distinctive flower. Good shape.

Picture © Galanthus ‘Trumps’

Rod Leeds

Galanthus nivalis ‘Viridapice’ Named by E.A. Bowles one hundred years ago in one of his water colours held by the RHS Lindley Library. A variable plant with many clones.

Description: Group: Species Cultivar A distinctive cv which bulks up well in the garden. Leaves 2, ascending to more or less erect, to 11 x 0-9 cm with flat to somewhat revolute margins.

Picture © Galanthus nivalis ‘Viridapice’

Doug Joyce

Scapes 9-16 cm long, the spathes valves usually leaf-like and slightly inflated, mostly 35-50 mm long. Outer tepals shallowly concave, 22-26 x 9-10.5 mm, with a marked apple-green blotch at the tip taking up about one fifth of the tepal length, composed of 5, occasionally 7, merging green lines, paler on the inner surface. Inner tepals about half the length of the outer, with a narrow apical sinus, marked by a broad, deep green, V-shaped, moustache-like mark. Ovary rounded to egg-shaped, longer than broad. Forum comments: The Panel re-confirmed the Society's AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT to:

Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ (AGM) A 19th Century selection from James Atkins of Painswick in Gloucestershire. Extremely prolific and flowering from quite small bulbs. Look for the clone with perfect flowers. Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivar A familiar and widely grown old cv which is excellent for naturalising. Leaves two, glaucous, more or less erect, 9-11 x 1-1.2 cm at flowering, generally with one margin slightly revolute, the other three flat. Scape erect, 18-22 cm long, the spathe narrow, arched, somewhat longer than the pedicels. Outer tepals narrow elliptical, shallowly concave, half-spreading, 30-34 x 15-17 mm, narrowed into a claw-like base. Inner tepals a third to a half the length of the outer, flared at the apex, even or with one or two aberrant, in perfect tepals with a shall notch (sinus) and a heart shaped green mark in the upper half. Ovary egg-shaped to oblong.

Picture © Galanthus Atkinsii

Doug Joyce

Plants with perfectly formed flowers have been separated out as 'James Backhouse' but the aberrant nature of the inner tepals varies from plant to plant and season to season, if it is present at all. Forum comments: Good garden plant, modestly priced. Vigorous and early to flower, sun or shade.

Galanthus ‘Bertram Anderson’ (AGM) From the garden of the late Bertram Anderson at Lower Slaughter in Gloucestershire. This large flowered single still has a presence to rival new introductions. Picture © Galanthus ‘Bertram Anderson’

Rod Leeds

Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivar A fine robust cv dating back almost 50 years and well proven in the garden environment. Leaves 2, glaucous, erect to ascending, 8-11 x 1.3-1.6 cm at flowering, the margin flat to somewhat revolute, the apex sometimes recurved. Scapes one or two, erect, sturdy, 12-15 cm long, the spathes erect, slightly curved and about the same length as the pedicels. Outer tepals elliptical, concave, half-spreading, 25-28 x 16-18 mm. Inner tepals about one third the length of the outer, with a deep apical notch and a deep green bow-bridge shaped marking close to the notch (sinus), which is slightly blurred on the outside. Ovary egg-shaped, deep green. Forum comments: A really good plant with a large flower and has wow factor.

Galanthus ‘Magnet’ (AGM) E.A. Bowles eulogised about it and it still has a demeanour that demands attention. Selected by James Allen of Somerset, who had a large snowdrop collection in late Victorian times.

Picture © Galanthus ‘Magnet’

Doug Joyce

Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivar Another popular, tried and tested cv which multiplies extremely well in the garden. Leaves glaucous, erect or ascending, 10-12 x 0.8-1 cm at flowering, with flat or slightly revolute margins. Scape erect or somewhat curved, to 23 cm long, with slightly inflated more or less straight spathes, considerably shorter than the long arching pedicels which can measure up to 6 cm in length. Outer tepals narrow elliptical, shallowly concave, half-spreading, 26-29 x 14-16 mm. Inner tepals half the length of the outer with a small apical notch (sinus), and with a green V-shaped mark in the upper quarter just below the notch, the "arms" square-ended. Ovary egg-shaped, deep green. Forum comments: Good, prolific plant flowering over a long period. Early to flower.

Galanthus x hybridus ‘Merlin’ A survivor and one of the first with all green inner segments. Again selected by James Allen of Shepton Mallet.

Picture © Galanthus x hybridus ‘Merlin’

Doug Joyce

Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivar Thought to be a hybrid between G. elwesii and G. plicatus, this is another fine and easy cv that has proved its worth in the garden. Leaves glaucous, 2, ascending, 18-20 x 1.5-1.7 cm at flowering, with the margin more pronouncedly revolute on one leaf rather than the other, the apex somewhat hooded. Scapes one or two, ascending, to 25 cm long, the second flower somewhat later, shorter and smaller than the first, the spathes more or less straight, somewhat longer than the pedicels. Outer tepals markedly concave, relatively short giving the flowers a dumpy appearance, 25-27 x 22-25 mm, half-spreading, constricted towards the base. Inner tepals half the length of the outer, with a slight, rather inconspicuous, apical notch, with as large deep green blotch covering most of the tepal, the mark somewhat constricted at the sides if the upper part and with a notch at the top. Ovary rounded to egg-shaped.

Galanthus ‘Straffan’ (AGM) A late flowering single from Ireland, named after Straffan House in County Kildare. The discredited name of ‘Cool Ballintaggart’ would have been more stylish for this centenarian.

Description: Group: Hybrid Cultivar An old cultivar that stretches back certainly as far as the 1850s. It is a good and vigorous hybrid found in many gardens. Leaves glaucous, ascending to erect, with flat margins, although one margin on each leaf can be slightly revolute, the apex slightly hooded or not. Spathe one or two, 12-16 cm long, the second flower later, shorter and smaller than the first generally. Outer tepals elliptical, shallowly concave, 26-30 x 17-20 mm, with an obtuse

Picture © Galanthus ‘Straffan’ Rod Leeds

apex, narrowed at the base. Inner tepals two fifths the length of the outer, with a central groove, a small apical notch and with an "inverted horseshoe-shaped" green mark close to the notch. Ovary egg-shaped, clearly constricted (narrowed) where the tepals join. Forum comments: Late flowering

The Panel recommended the Society rescinds the AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT to: Galanthus plicatus ‘Wendy’s Gold’ Forum comments: Does not clump up well and not reliable. Rather untidy habit with yellow foliage.