Garden and greenhouse fans go gaga for Galanthus
14:05 24th February 2010
A number of Galanthus species have been fetching three-figure prices on internet auction site eBay, it has been revealed.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the record for a single bulb was achieved by the G. Nivalis "Flocon de Neige", which went for £265 in 2008.
However, a number of deals have been struck recently for single bulbs with prices of over £100 for some of the rarer varieties, such as the pure white G. Reginae-olgae, which sold for £162.
Each year, around 300 people attend the Galanthus Gala - an event organised by Joe Sharman to allow enthusiasts from across the UK and Europe to trade and swap rare bulbs.
He explained that he is continuously surprised by the popularity of the event and that the bulbs are becoming even more sought after.
"It's been getting more and more intense - this year I sold out completely within four days, whereas last year it took me three weeks," he told the RHS.
In other news, the UK's ponds have failed to impress in a recent audit, with the RHS revealing that many are not beneficial for wildlife.
