Sensational snowdrops

The sensation of the year in the snowdrop community has been the unveiling of Galanthus elwesii 'Anglesey Orange Tip', the richest-coloured of any 'orange' snowdrop to date. The flower shown here had been open for several days when photographed and unlike the evanescent hint of buff in 'Joy Cozens' (the original 'orange' snowdrop)the colour in 'Anglesey Orange Tip' has not faded in the least. At present the few bulbs of this extraordinary plant are under guard at Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire, where it was discovered and where it has been on display in recent days.

The assortment of other highly desirable snowdrops includes, from left to right: the Cambo clone of Sandersii, 'Margaret Biddulph', 'Moses Basket' (another amazing G. elwesii from Anglesey Abbey), 'Angelina', a selection made by Kit Grey-Wilson with enormous flowers, and 'Green Tear' in the top right.