Flowers

Amid the chilliest scenes of winter, crocuses shine

14.10.11

In the mad rush to select tulips, daffodils and hyacinths for planting this fall, don't overlook the crocus.

Its early bloom makes for a charming and beautiful plant. What a nice surprise you get when on a cold morning in February you dash out the front door to be greeted by the low-blooming crocuses.

These early ones, call bunch crocuses, may only be a few inches tall, but they still delight.

There are two categories of crocuses to consider when shopping this fall.

The first are the earliest, variously called bunch-flowering or snow crocuses, which bloom in winter. Each little bulb bears several small flowers close together. The effect is like a little posy set in the ground.

Colors include white, yellow, blue, lilac and violet and the stamens in the center are bright orange, making a nice contrast. Some popular bunch crocuses are Ruby Giant, Snow Bunting and Blue Pearl.

The second type, and better known, are the hybrid Dutch crocuses, also called giant crocuses. They aren't really giants, except in the crocus world where they rise 4 to 6 inches and bear single blooms. Colors are white, yellow, lilac and purple. There is also a popular striped one named Pickwick, which has purple stripes rising against a white background.

Source: Charlotte Observer