We’re delighted to announce that Walmer Castle and Gardens have been granted National Plant Collection status for our collection of ‘Galanthus – Greatorex doubles’. These double snowdrops were bred by Heyrick Greatorex in the 1940s and early 1950s and most are named after female lead characters of Shakespeare plays. Examples include Dionysus, Jaquenetta, Titania and Desdemona, however one has the slightly less catchy name of G71. Heyrick Greatorex was the first breeder to cross the naturally occurring double snowdrop with a snowdrop species called G. plicatus. In total there are 14 different cultivars (plants bred for specific characteristics), making this a manageable collection.

Walmer Castle has around 90 different snowdrops which aren’t part of the collection but will be part of winter displays to enthuse Galanthophiles (snowdrop enthusiasts). Apart from wanting to preserve the Greatorex snowdrops it will hopefully also put Walmer Castle on the map as a destination during the quieter winter months with plans for snowdrop fairs, talks and tours in the making.

Our details will be on the Plant Heritage website as well as in their Directory. Visitors to the collection would pay normal admission fees,
https://susanrushton.net/2019/03/02/heyrick-greatorex-the-founding-father-of-snowdrop-breeders/

Although this is only a small collection, we have lots more other varieties which we display to ensure the Galanthophiles will re-visit many times!

ENDS