DRYAD INTRODUCTIONS

 DRYAD GOLD SNOWDROPS

Back in 2006, I had just begun collecting snowdrops, and being a beginner, tried to buy varieties that I could see were distinct. I was immediately attracted to the beauty, rarity and distinctiveness of the yellows. At the time, the only two yellow snowdrops readily available were G. plicatus 'Wendy's Gold' and G. nivalis 'Lutescens' (as it was then - now classed under 'Sandersii').

I had already been breeding miniature daffodils for 15 years and felt I had plenty of experience with the colour yellow (!), so I decided that a logical extension was to try crossing these two varieties with the intention of producing some rare new yellow snowdrops of my own. It seems I was very lucky as the seeds I produced by hand pollination produced 20 seedlings. When the seedlings first flowered in 2010, I was delighted to find that almost all of them were yellow. Despite a number of attempts to recreate the cross I have been unsuccessful and therefore these varieties are unique.

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Over the last 12 years, I have been propagating and assessing these different clones, both in my garden and with other expert growers, to ensure stability and exclude any potential for reversion. Following successful testing in the UK and in Estonia, I have now decided to name some varieties, prior to releasing a very limited number to other growers. The group name is Dryad Gold Group, and all varieties retain the first two words of the group name. With the parentage plicatus x nivalis, the hybrids fall under Galanthus x valentinei.

They are all good growers in the garden, with strong stems which remain more or less erect, unlike 'Wendy's Gold', which dips its flower stems after flowering. Their hybrid vigour makes them much easier to grow than other yellows such as 'Ronald Mackenzie', which can be difficult to keep. 

They have been grown across the UK and in Europe and growers’ feedback is that they are strong garden plants -  robust, stable, increasing well and making a stunning statement, both for collectors and in the spring garden. 

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The leaves of all the varieties are mostly applanate, with some showing a tendency to plicate edges on one or both sides. Markings on the flowers are stable. Like other yellow snowdrops, the inner segment marks can be slightly greenish yellow on first opening, but then quickly change to true yellow. The best colour is achieved out in the open, rather than under glass. The different clones vary markedly in size, from only 6cm high to over 30cm. 

As stocks allow, I will release these varieties for sale. Currently, they are only available on ebay, but as my stocks increase, I will be offering them in my mail-order list.

If you want to follow me as a seller, and be informed when the bulbs are listed, use this link and click on 'FOLLOW" http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/dryadzny

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I believe these plants will become the new 'gold standard' in yellow snowdrops, both for serious collectors and for gardeners who want snowdrops which are robust, stable and make a bold statement in the spring garden.

Due to the rarity, large number of requests to purchase, and limited number available , ebay seems to be the fairest way of giving everyone the same chance of obtaining one of these highly desirable and rare collectors' snowdrops. 

See also my short article showing the Dryad Golds :

http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Jun251435252604IRG_66.pdf

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Registration details and descriptions of the registered varieties are below, in alphabetical order:

DRYAD GOLD BULLION

Flowering later, and shorter than Gold Sovereign, this more compact cultivar shares the same vigorous habit, bulks up very rapidly and is very free flowering. 

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Flowering height 8cm. Scapes upright, flower length including ovary 35mm. Leaves at flowering time 7x36mm, glaucous, arching. Pedicel straight, half as long as the spathe. 'Claw' 2mm long. Ovary yellow, cylindrical, just less than one third the length of the outer segments. Inner segments with yellow inverted U to 40% of the length, the curve of the U more acute than Gold Sovereign. 

DRYAD GOLD CHARM

Newly opening flowers shaped like large, long teardrops. Dwarf-growing variety especially suitable for pots and containers, although equally happy in the garden.

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Flowering height 10cm. Scapes very upright, flower length including ovary 40mm. Leaves at flowering time 5x50mm, glaucous, arching. Buds long and narrow. Pedicel almost straight, two thirds as long as the curved spathe. No obvious 'claw'. Ovary yellow, narrowly cylindrical, one third the length of the outer segments. Outer segments broad and smooth. Inner segments with slightly greenish yellow inverted heart to 50% of the length. 

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DRYAD GOLD INGOT

Perky little snowdrop with shapely rounded flowers displaying well above short foliage at flowering time, this has been much requested because of its striking colouring – a yellow ovary and green inner segment mark which makes it, in effect, a reverse 'Blonde Inge'. The olive green inner mark often bleeds into a yellow zone towards the base. 

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Flowering height 9cm. Scapes very upright, flower length including ovary 30mm. Leaves at flowering time 9x45mm, glaucous, arching. Pedicel curved, two thirds as long as the straight spathe. 'Claw' 3mm. Ovary light yellow, cylindrical, almost half the length of the outer segments. Outer segments smooth and broad. Inner segments with olive green inverted U to 60% of the length, bleeding yellow almost to the base, and fading to yellowish green.

DRYAD GOLD MEDAL

DRYAD GOLD NUGGET

Dryad Gold Nugget is the first to be offered of the Dryad Gold varieties with a yellow ovary and green inner mark. The shape of the flowers are compact and rounded, and the inner mark is chartreuse, contrasting nicely with the yellow ovary. In effect, a reversed ‘Blonde Inge’. A clump of this variety would be stunning in a container, but it will be equally happy in the open garden. 

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Flowering height 8cm. Scapes upright, flower length including ovary 26mm. Leaves at flowering time 3x45mm, glaucous, upright. Pedicel almost straight, half as long as the curved spathe. No obvious 'claw'. Ovary yellow, cylindrical, one third the length of the outer segments. Outer segments smooth. Inner segments with chartreuse inverted heart to 50% of the length. 

DRYAD GOLD RIBBON

Similar in height to Dryad Gold Sovereign, though a little later in flower and with a larger yellow inverted heart on the inner segments, the flower is also more rounded. It has always been singled out by visitors because of its prolific flowering and very upright habit.

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Flowering height 16cm. Scapes very upright, flower length including ovary 45mm. Leaves at flowering time 10x70mm, glaucous, arching. Pedicel almost straight, half as long as the spathe. 'Claw' 2mm long. Ovary yellow, cylindrical, one third the length of the outer segments. Outer segments broad and lightly ribbed. Inner segments with yellow inverted heart to 55% of the length. Prolific flowerer.

DRYAD GOLD SOVEREIGN

Dryad Gold Sovereign has performed exceptionally well in the garden, long lasting, noticeably large, elegantly long flowers on strong stems, with distinctive long narrow ovaries. The earliest of the Dryad Gold Group to flower, beginning early-mid January outside in normal years, and in fact by far the earliest of any of the yellow cultivars I grow.  A group in flower catching the sunshine is a stunning sight.

We've had great feedback from growers about this variety, grown in the UK and in Europe. 

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DRYAD GOLD STAR

A diminutive snowdrop with relatively large flowers which open like drop-earrings from long buds, and with a fairly long ovary. Flowers display well above low foliage at flowering time. Excellent for pots and containers, though equally happy in the open ground. Vigorous and increases well. 

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Flowering height 9cm. Scapes upright, flower length including ovary 30mm. Leaves at flowering time 4x30mm, glaucous, upright to arching. Buds long and narrow.Pedicel almost straight, half as long as the straight spathe. No obvious 'claw'. Ovary yellow, narrowly cylindrical, one third to one half the length of the outer segments. Outer segments broad and lightly ribbed. Inner segments with yellow inverted heart to 40% of the length.