Although crocus aren't the most exciting flowers - they're small, their colors are limited, and they don't repeat bloom - they were the only thing blooming in my March garden. And that made them fabulous!
These first photos show 'Golden Bunch', which has been in bloom for nearly a month now (surely they'd expire faster if our weather was any warmer). This type is 'bunch blooming', meaning that each bulb produces numerous flowers. The photo above shows the flowers from just 5 little bulbs that were planted last fall. I'm so impressed.
The second type of crocus to start blooming in my garden was Crocus tommasinianus 'Barr's Purple', also planted last fall. Whereas the other crocus in my garden form complete flowers low down and then send them up, this one sends up half-formed flowers that gradually fill out. They look kind of ghostly at first.
Above are more of the tommies. Many crocus are great naturalizers, which means they increase in number each year. My neighbor has lots of crocus as well, including some of the pure white and lavender-and-white striped types. Since she planted them five years ago, the clumps have expanded quite a bit. Can't wait to see how much mine increase in future years.
These last couple of photos show 'Grand Maitre' crocuses, which I picked up at Costco last fall. I think the bag contained 50 or 100 bulbs for about $14, which is a great deal either way. The only drawback to Costco is their limited selection, whereas Brent & Becky's Bulbs offers 36 different types of spring-blooming crocus.
I've been marking up pages in the B&B catalog to remind me which crocus to order for fall planting this year - more of the same types that I already have, to fill in empty spots. Might as well make March as colorful as possible! The small bulbs are easy to tuck in around perennials and shrubs, and they're much less work to plant than others since they only go 4" deep. Now my other small bulbs are starting to bloom - Chionodoxa, Scilla and Galanthus. I'll post pictures of them next week.
Krokusy to jedne z pierwszych wiosennych kwiatów i są śliczne. Jak rozrosną się to tworzą piękne kolorowe plamy, jak innych kwiatów jeszcze nie ma.Pozdrawiam
ReplyDeleteI am crazy for crocus too, but they don't do well here:(. I love your yellow and purple ones, so pretty. Great photography.
ReplyDeleteI have just got to get some this fall to plant. I get so starved for blooms and they are always about the first to bloom. I think they are such a cheerful flower. The purples are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI love Crocuses, they are so bright and always seem to surprise me when I find them blooming. I planted them for the first time here two falls ago and am impressed at how much they've already multiplied. This year I'd love to find some pink ones.
ReplyDeleteIt is an exciting time when the crocus emerge and announce that spring has arrived! Such a cheerful little plant, and bulbs are so nice and reliable!
ReplyDeleteSuch precious little harbingers of spring. We call them crokies at our house. :)
ReplyDeleteI’ve never been able to grow crocuses, not even the Saffron type! They are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have just planted my tulips and ranunculus! I'm trying the parrot tulips this year, I love their crazy petals!
I have a couple little Crocus from Brent and Becky that were carried to SC in a container with other bulbs and a hastily dug and planted Blackberry Lily. The Crocus put up foliage but only one flower. I moved them (again) and hope they multiple. Will have to keep my eyes open for some at Costco this fall.
ReplyDeleteLove your bright yellow!
Phoebe, I've got some 'Salmon Parrot' tulips coming up and can't wait to see their blooms. Will be posting pictures for sure! Enjoy yours.
ReplyDeleteCatherine - I don't think there are any pink crocus for spring, though many of the colchicums are pink for fall. I did see some mini, early pink tulips in Brent & Becky's - 'Helena' and 'Lilac Wonder'. Maybe they'd give you the look your wanting, early in the season.
Janet, if you stumble onto something you like, the bulbs are Costco are a great deal. I also bought scilla there last fall.
Now who doesn't think these are the most cheerful little angels of Spring ? I have them in party mode in my bulb circle right now .. it is interesting to see them fold up when it is raining and then *smile* when the sun comes out .. you have the right idea to make notes about which ones to order and where to plant them .. I really have to follow more of a plan too !
ReplyDeleteYou can't help but smile at these pictures VW !
Joy
Those tommasinianus do have a pretty shape. Great photos of them all. Do your fall crocus still have foliage? This is my first season for fall crocus and they've kept their foliage since blooming in Sept, much more like a perennial than a bulb.
ReplyDeleteYou are so wrong! Crocus are an exciting flower as they tell us spring is in the air! LOL...
ReplyDeleteLovely way to welcome spring...I can't get enough of them..unfortunately the voles that live here like them too...
ReplyDeleteThey are sweet little bulbs and give such an impact! I love their color so much.
ReplyDeleteI love Crocus. They are so cute and tiny. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cheerful sight! I planted crocuses two years ago, but in a mild climate year like this one, my geranium rozannes bloom all year, so I didn't even notice the crocuses were up at first since they look so similar. Looking forward to seeing your next batch of bulbs!
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