Artist John Morley's Encounter with the Sculptor Altering Snowdrop Landscape Worldwide
John Morley, the Famed Galanthophile, Closes His Legendary Snowdrop Nursery
John Morley, a British artist and a dedicated expert in snowdrop cultivation, is closing his nursery, North Green Snowdrops, marking the end of an era for the oldest snowdrop nursery in the country. Morley, who is widely recognized as a famed galanthophile, has been instrumental in the discovery, cultivation, and promotion of unique and special snowdrop varieties.
Morley's journey with snowdrops began in the 1990s when he discovered Galanthus 'Trumps', one of his favourites, in his own garden. This snowdrop variety, known for its heart-shaped markings on both inner and outer segments and its vigorous growth, has since become a popular choice among snowdrop enthusiasts.
Over the years, Morley has named and introduced over 50 snowdrop varieties to the horticultural world, including 'Three Ships', 'Remember, Remember', 'Gold Dust', 'Rodmarton Regulus', and 'Juliet Berkeley'. Each variety boasts unique and striking features, such as exceptionally long outers, an inverted V on the inners, bright-gold bridge marks, large-flowered blooms, and soft green inner segments with prominent dark markings.
Morley's catalogues over the years have been a testament to his artistic flair, featuring exquisite woodcuts, paintings, and line drawings, later replaced by glossy photos. His meticulous attention to detail and the beauty of his creations have made his catalogues a collector's item, with the 2024 North Green Snowdrops catalogue already holding this status.
In the 1970s, Morley met his wife, Diana, while teaching at the Royal Academy. Together, they transformed a set of near-derelict cottages on a Suffolk estate into a home and garden filled with Morley's art and collections. The garden, now a haven for snowdrop enthusiasts, showcases the beauty and diversity of Morley's snowdrop varieties.
Morley's circle of highly knowledgeable friends grew as his snowdrop collection increased, and he became a respected figure in the world of snowdrop cultivation and gardening art. His dedication to his craft and his contributions to the snowdrop community will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy.
Despite the closure of North Green Snowdrops, fans of Morley's snowdrops can still find some of his favourites, such as 'Trumps' and 'Blue Moon', which almost went out of production but has been nurtured back into production and now sells for £120 per bulb. The legacy of John Morley, the famed galanthophile, will continue to bloom in gardens across the country.
[1] For more information on Galanthus 'Trumps', visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/27955/Galanthus-Trump/Details
- With John Morley's renowned snowdrop variety, 'Galanthus 'Trumps', becoming a popular choice among snowdrop enthusiasts, one might revamp their home-and-garden to reflect a lifestyle emphasizing unique and intriguing snowdrop cultivation, akin to the famed galanthophile himself.
- As enthusiasts reminisce about Morley's legendary North Green Snowdrops nursery, they may take inspiration from his dedication to his craft and seek to cultivate their own home-and-garden with an array of captivating snowdrops, transforming it into a personal garden-of-gally-delights.
