I thought I would share some of my fair maids today, starting with ‘Rosemary Burnham’ above, and ‘Trumps’ below. Trumps, with his distinctive and broad spreading outer segments has been a particularly good do-er, bulking up nicely.
‘Starling’ is a delightfully quirky snowdrop, with a mind of its own:
‘Snow Fox’ has very distinctive inner markings…
…whilst the inner segments of ‘Washfied Colesbourne’ are tube-like and an almost solid green:
Finally, confirming that ‘yellow’ snowdrops are not actually yellow, is Galanthus nivalis ‘Sandersii’ with its yellow ovaries, (usually) yellow inner markings and bright green scapes and spathes but perfectly ordinary white outer segments:
There may well be thousands of named snowdrops and some of the differences between them may only be subtle, but this post celebrates some of the real differences that lead galanthopiles down the slippery path of building up a collection…sometimes I think it would have been wiser to stick solely with the gradually spreading carpet of ‘native’ varieties that grace my woodland edge border and save myself the disappointments and expenditure that go hand in hand with collecting named varieties!
As usual, I am linking this Saturday post with that of Jon The Propagator who hosts this meme, so do check out his blog too.
Rambling in the Garden 
They are all lovely aren’t they, I can well understand your enthusiasm for them, I know the feeling only too well!
And I like the excitement of the anticipation, watching them gradually push their way through
Cathy all your maids love me. “Rosemary Burnham” is gorgeous. “Trumps” is fascinating with its green spots on the petals, I love it. “Starling” I love it. “Snow Fox” is a charm. “Washfied Colesbourne” with its green is very special, I love it. Galanthus nivalis “Sandersii” with yellow ovaries is captivating, I love it. Cathy your collection of named snowdrops is magnificent, sublime: I love it. Enjoy it even if some specimen disappears. Take good care of the golfer and you. A hug. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita.
It is intriguing to see all the little differences in colour and markings
Each different specimen is intriguing and a real beauty. Thanks for showing us, I really enjoyed them Cathy. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita.
A lovely selection
The fascination with Snowdrops fascinates me!
Lovely to see your maids Cathy. I’m sure that there has been more pleasure than pain along the way 😄
Oh indeed there has, Anna. I shall wait till this cold spell is over and then get on with sorting out some promises for you. Hope you enjoyed the w/e’s talk – I have booked for the NGS one and need to ensure I remember…I forgot a talk the previous week that I had paid for…!!
I’ve never seen so many snowdrop varieties at once! Thank you for sharing your garden.
Have you tried making your own hybrid?
Well, it’s Six on Saturday so that meant just six of my collection, which is relatively modest compared to some… 😉 I haven’t tried hybridising as you would have to have fairly controlled conditions to do so, but I should watch out for any new varieties appearing as a result of natural cross-pollination…
I remember the fanaticism about snowdrops from the past few winters. I don’t get it. I am told that I would get it if I worked with a climate that inhibits other bloom in winter. I do like them, but would be pleased with just a single token cultivar.
Yes, that’s partly it, Tony, there are fewer bloomers here at this time of year, and I am sure there are many many gardens that have nothing in flower at all till spring
Snowdrops are such a delight
Indeed they are!
You have put together a lovely collection. Thank you for sharing.
I tried to select 6 with discernible differences that were actually open enough to see the differences
Gorgeous selection, Cathy, although I should not have been feeding my frenzy by clicking on your post when I saw it was about snowdrops! Washfield Colesburne is simply stunning. Enjoy your snowdrops this week!
Haha, sorry Cathy! Washfield Colesbourne is a strongly growing variety which has bulked up well for me
Good to know! Added to the (too long) list!
If you were in the UK I could have sent you one! I do have a few seeds from erodium for you though (it was you who asked about them, wasn’t it?), although I don’t know how viable they will be as they were quite damp when I picked the seedhead – can you email me you address please?
Lovely Cathy – how do I find your email on WordPress? Mine is flutes52@hotmail.com
I have now sent an email
You’ve chosen some good ones there. I have the carpet of regular snowdrops and I’m trying to resist the collectors urge. Not easy this time of year.
I would probably enjoy my carpet more if I didn’t have the specials to distract me!!
Most of us have a plant or two that becomes a firm favourite. A bit like the definition of an expert… Someone who knows more and more about less and less.
Snowdrops…yay! Your collection is special!
Thanks Beth
Gorgeous, all of them. But people who don’t know you will probably think you have juxt six snowdrops in your collection. Ha! If only they knew, you are fully paid up galanthomaniac like me. Do you have Madeleine? She is a nice yellow one and she clumps up nicely.
Haha, yes, I wouldn’t dream of mentioning numbers in public! I used to have Madeleine, but sadly she turned her toes up some time between 2019 and 2020 🙄