re: Galanthus and that cyclamen

Dear Colette

As I recall reading bits and pieces of Mrs Cran's books the 
foundling dwarf 'red' vinca was named by her after hger daughter. 
That is certainly the info. I have had for many years.

As a writer I don't know what to make of her. If your read her books 
about travelling to the Cape of Good Hope and to America she comes 
across as a sort of gushy dame obsessed with bright young 'gels' and 
handsome young chaps doing brave things in the colonies and New 
World. Shee throws in a bit of snobbery now and then, a bit of 
girtlish gossip, a hint or two of scandal and just loves ripping 
around the countryside having lunch in little wayside taverns, at 
golf clubs and at the homes of elegant social ladies. And then there 
is her own 'real' life as a writer and traveller with the relentless 
pressure of deadlines, contracts, agnets, publishers etc. I find her 
books amusing, once I have found time to get into them but I'm not so 
sure she was ever much more than that. A sort of horticultural 
escapism for women at home. Perhaps I am too critical. I know she was 
very popular but my feeling is that she was popular in the same way 
Mills & Boon romantic novels are popular 'literature' today.

I too am in the thrall of Galanthus, tho' I don't have more than 20 
kinds. LADY BEATRIX STANLEY is one double I do have, and I think it 
is a Greatorex hybrid. What we need desperately is a good new book on 
the genus. There's been nothing since Frederick Stern's book of 1956. 
We could use a new book on Crocus chrysanthus hybrids too.

I'll get to my bulbs as they appear and report on them in winter and 
spring.

regards

trevor n.

>From your brief description I thoink your mystery cyclamen may be 
Cyclamen repandum peloponessiacum. There are several collected forms 
with varying degrees of silver spotting, blotching, streaking on the 
leaves.

-----------------
Trevor Nottle
Garden Writer, Historian,     
Lecturer and Comsultant 
       
    'Walnut Hill'                          
     5 Walker St       
     Crafers SA 5152 
     AUSTRALIA

Phone: +618 83394210
Fax:   +618 83394210
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