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| BOTANIST AND AUTHOR (AND GALANTHUS EXPERT) JOHN GRIMSHAW VISITED WITH US THIS WEEKEND WHILE ON A SPEAKING TOUR OF THE US. I SENSE LOTS OF SNOWDROPS IN OUR GARDEN NEXT YEAR. SNOWDROPS – EVERYWHERE. |
It had suddenly feels like winter around here in the north east, with night temperatures near 40 degrees F. and some areas getting a little frost – it’s no wonder I have Snowdrops on my mind – in a big way. Of course, having the world expert, John Grimshaw staying with us does not help. John is visiting use briefly on his US speaking tour sponsored by the North American Rock Garden Society ( NARGS). He is an expert on the genus Galanthus ( Snowdrops) as well as a general botanist with many interests and passions relating to plantlife. A global traveler and explorer, his expertise is currently focused on African plants, trees and snowdrops. His gardening blog-JOHN GRIMSHAW’S GARDEN DIARY– has long been a favorite of mine, for rarely is there a blog that teaches me new things or introduces me to new plants and ideas.
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| BOTANIST JOHN GRIMSHAW EXAMINING A PURPLE BERRIED CALLICARPA IN OUR GARDEN ON SATURDAY. |
John co-author of the leading monograph on Snowdrops, available direct from Griffin Press Publishing LTD. John comes highly qualified on the subject of Snowdrops, as he is the gardens manager at Colesbourne Park, ground zero for ‘Galanthophiles’, the name of the ‘disease’ people get once the become obsessed with the genus. Rare in this country, I believe mosquitoes are spreading it slowing in some areas of New England. Highly contagious, I think I am showing some symptoms, especially after listening to John’s talk on Saturday at Garden In The Woods in Framingham, MA. I learned so much about this tiny genus where for many of us, they all look the same. He was able to simplify the genus, which I will write about in a later post on the subject ( once me new order of 1000 Snowdrops comes in the mail!).
Even more inspiring was John;s presentation based on his other book ( a massive 300 page tome) called NEW TREES, available in the US from Amazon. It is an investment at $180. but all good books are ( just like trees). I am frequently not impressed by many garden speakers, having grown or collected most everything growable that I could find – then, comes NEW TREES – Recent Introductions to Cultivation. Brilliant! I am on this crazy hunt for a giant Horse Chestnut on eBay so that I can plant that 4 inch round nut! Oh man. Too many things to grow!
Your post brought on tears of nostalgia as I remembered my mother growing snowdrops in rectangular flower pots which my father attached to our balcony’s railing. I remember just how excited we’d both become at seeing the delicate white flowers which never seemed to survive past the first frosty day.
I must admit I am as much a galanthus fan as one can be in the US. I have ordered for several years from Hitch Lyman who sells them "in the green". Hope you will share photos of your snowdrops in bloom next spring.
Oh yes, indeed, I'm way behind on snowdrops. Always another passion to dive way down into. Congratulations: Your blog and gardens are a marvel.