Saturday, February 25, 2012

Spring Crocus Shining

While I'm nervous about what an incredibly early spring this seems to be, I've decided that I might as well just go along for the ride - heaven only knows that I certainly can't slow it down!

The first yellow crocuses started peaking through several weeks ago and, by now, many of the whites and creams have joined them. 

This bright-eyed clump of white crocuses is on the pathway up to our front door, nicely showcasing the arrival of early spring to any guests who happen to walk up.  It's the Snowbunting crocus, and was first introduced to the nursery trade in 1914.  (I really enjoy using heirloom varieties of many plants.  They're not always the biggest, but I figure they're still around because they do well over time.)

Also heirlooms, this little group of shining yellow blooms is Cloth of Gold crocuses.  They are REALLY heirlooms, having first been introduced to the nursery trade in 1587!  These guys haven't been as prolific as the Snowbuntings, but then they are in a much more "wild" location and get absolutely no extra care or water of any sort.  The soil in this location is a bit rockier and leaner too.

The third group I photographed are just assorted modern crocuses, but they are some of the ones that we have naturalized in the grass throughout the yard.  They come up a little more strongly every year and it's a lot of fun to see the variety contained within their ranks.


If you are interested in checking into heirloom bulbs, I've been using Old House Gardens, which is based out of Michigan.  I've been extremely pleased with their descriptions and information, their service, and (especially) their products.  I've heard great things about Brent & Becky's Bulbs in Virginia, too, but I've never actually ordered from them.  They have so many varieties that I get a little overwhelmed when I visit their site!

I've got some buds on a few of my smaller daffodils, 6" tall foliage on many others, tulip leaves looking strong and healthy, and even hyacinth leaves that are 3" tall.  The next few weeks should be bright and  beautiful!
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7 comments:

  1. gardeningnaturallywithclaudia.blogspot.com4:43 PM

    Early Spring with your age-old varieties. Quite a collection! I like the history you have collected.

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  2. Melanie12:52 PM

    Cami and I were working on the pond pump Sunday afternoon and found a small clump of yellow crocus I put in last fall. When I went to photograph them yesterday, they were closed up, presumably because of the cloudy day? I have always had good luck with Brecks for bulbs. .and so far so good on the new ones from last fall!! I'm ready for some color!!

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  3. Gaia Gardener:2:15 PM

    Claudia, thank you!

    Melanie, crocuses close up in the dark - sometimes a cloudy day is dark enough; otherwise just overnight. It can get frustrating, because sometimes I have to wait to take a picture until the light is too bright to photograph them well.

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  4. Anonymous9:30 AM

    Lovely to see the old favourites.

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  5. Sergio2:10 AM

    You have a nice collection of crocuses in your garden. Having heirloom varieties is a great idea. Being in the lawn maintenance Phoenix industry, it is a wonderful feeling to have good choice of plants in the garden.

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  6. Melanie12:35 PM

    Gaia. .we will be through Wichita Friday and Sunday. .if you can get a comment to me with your email address. .I'll get you some details. I have lots of Maximillan starts to bring for you!! Hope you are well. .miss your writings!

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  7. Gaia Gardener:8:02 PM

    Melanie, I am so sorry to have missed your visit! I was out of town for a couple weeks and, this week, have been running from one task to another as I've tried to catch up from being gone in this busy season.

    If you get a chance to come again, I'd still LOVE those sunflowers! My email is cynthabbott at yahoo.

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