GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

12-02-2003, 07:55 PM

"MadGardener" wrote in message
87...
HEY HEY!! Went outside into the blustery winds this morning and
checked the western raised bed and it has SEVEN crocuses!!

My recollection from childhood was that the crocuses came & went way
too fast to be of consequence, but that was because only one
particularly common type ever got planted in my elders' yards. But
today, having 15 species plus varieties scattered around my own
gardens, there are crocuses blooming from September through April,
with the greatest majority Jan thru March. Everyday is a joyful
discovery of more blooms way before spring. Sometimes my heart catches
these drifts are so amazing.

-paghat the ratgirl

I would think your September crocuses are actually the colchicum's
aren't they? I have noticed once I planted the crocus corms and they
arrived the next late winter, that their return the following year was a
smaller flower. And I sprinkle a bit of time release bulb food on
everyone in the fall too, to suppliment the bulbs that are already in
the ground under the perennials.

your words were good, Paggers. Glad you have little fairy flowers to
lighten your heart up as well. I just wish I could get hold of some
aconite bulbs in bulk to see if I could get a good clump of them in the
late winter as well. The ones I planted melted on me. either the worm
soil was too rich, or it just didn't like where they were (strong east,
southern well draining raised bed on top of my retaining wall)
mid February, closer and closer to spring every day!
madgardener