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| Snowdrop 'Grumpy' - http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/ |
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| Snowdrop 'Grumpy'- http://inishindiegardenmatters.blogspot.co.uk/ |
In fact, record prices are being paid for single bulbs and a lucrative industry is developing to satisfy the demand of the growing number of snowdrop fanciers, otherwise known as galanthophiles.
Such high prices are reminiscent of 'tulipmania', a period in the Dutch Golden Age during which contract prices for bulbs of the recently introduced tulip reached extraordinarily high levels and then suddenly collapsed.
Most recently, a single Scottish Elizabeth Harrison snowdrop bulb was sold for a record £725.
History of the Grumpy
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| Jo Sharman - image credit http://www.dissexpress.co.uk/ |
Sir Vivian became a national hero when he made the first surface crossing of the Antarctic in 1957-1958.
The flower shows a face in the form of two green eyes and a mouth turned down at the corners. This naturally appears on one of its petals, making it a very sought after variety in the gardening world.
Mr Sharman grows the flowers in a secret location near the city which he will not reveal for fear of theft of the valuable plants – which can fetch up to £400 for a single bulb.
Galanthus elwesii 'Grumpy' does not multiply as quickly as other snowdrops. This is a major contributing factor as to why the price of this particular specimen has rocketed.
Unfortunately these high prices has brought some unwanted attention as there have been a number of reports of snowdrop thefts. This is taken so seriously that at certain events security guards are hired to protect them!
For related articles click onto the following links:
HOW TO GROW THE LODDON LILY - Leucojum aestivum
HOW TO GROW SNOWDROPS FROM SEED
HOW TO GROW THE SPRING SNOWFLAKE - Leucojum vernum
HOW TO PLANT AND GROW SNOWDROPS
HOW TO PROPAGATE SNOWDROPS
THE EYEBALL PLANT - Actaea pachypoda
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