Some time ago I discovered that there is a snow drop called Tilly. John, a trusty galanthophile from Gable House thought he had one but could not lay his hands on it when I visited some weeks ago (blog 9).
Tilly is a hybrid between galanthus gracilis and galanthus plicatus “Trym” which I have to say is completely meaningless to me. I like the idea that having found it in her garden, Valerie Cross, a notable lady in the snow drop world, named the flower after her terrier.
I am delighted to report that John has now supplied me with Tilly. I was a little surprised at the going rate of £40.00. A serious amount for such a tiny bulb. Think of how many other plants I might buy for the same price. However my daughter Tilly has been living in Argentina for the past year. I miss her and really need a little something to celebrate her birthday. She of course reminded me that she is priceless.
Indeed the price paled into insignificance when I noticed this label at Monksilver Nursery the other day:
John also sent me some Galanthus Allenii , cheaper than our Tilly. They came through the post in beautiful condition carefully tied up with green twine and wrapped in damp moss. Unlike the aconites which arrived a day later from a commercial bulb grower, putrid and rotten. Thank heaven for NGS plantsmen.
I am busy dividing my snowdrops at home now but will nurture my Tilly. She is indeed a bit of a beauty; I hope you agree:
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The Garden Gate is Open 
I might or perhaps not buy one to celebrate our mini daxi Tilly named for The Matilda Hospital in Hong Kong where both our sons were born. But she is beautiful!
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What a lovely name for a Daxi! Lucky she wasn’t named Golden Fleece!
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A very enjoyable posting and a truly beautiful Tilly.
Madrina
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Long may Tilly flourish!!
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A lovely story and a timely reminder to divide some of our snowdrops.
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I also have a daughter called Tilly! What a beautiful snowdrop. It will naturalise and you will have lots of them in a few year’s time. They do fetch some prices don’t they? I think the record is over £1k for a single specimen!
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Having heard a great deal of the famed Tilly I am pleased to see she is so very beautiful. I may wait until she becomes a little more plentiful, but as my first dog is named Tilly I think I must succumb at some stage – in her honour at least!
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You will be the first to receive a Tilly bulb when she spreads!
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That would be wonderful!
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Tilly is beautiful indeed. Once the snowdrop bug bites life gets rather expensive.
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Too right but worth every penny!
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I’ve just ordered one to remind me of my lovely manager (called Tilly) when I’m retired.
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