Crocus – The First Vibrant Colour Of The Year

And this week’s favourite flower is…. The crocus!

I’m so fickle, my favourite flower changes as I walk around the garden.

It’s more tricky at this time of year though, as there’re a lot less to choose from. My favourite can last up to a week!

Crocus – They lit my gardening fire!

The humble little crocus bulb, was the first plant I ever payed money for.

When I started to create my first little garden, with virtually no plant knowledge. Lots of generous gardeners gave me all sorts of plants. Things that they’d split from their own gardens.

It was autumn, and in those days, there wasn’t the choice of plants in the shops that there is now. I spotted a packet though, with some pretty looking flowers on. They were crocus.

When I got home, opened the packet, and these tiny, ugly bulbs came out, I wasn’t exactly thrilled!

I read the instructions, and planted them into the cold soggy earth. Then forgot all about them.

The following February, when these beautiful, delicate little flowers came up, I was thrilled. It felt miraculous, and it definitely lit my gardening fire.

Getting Crocus, Into Our New White Garden

Our new garden here, had very few flowers in it. Even less so when we’d finished clearing it, ready to build walls, and landscape.

The first borders to be finished, and planted were down in the white garden. Of course white crocus, were sort out and planted.

I love the simplicity and purity of them. They are like white fingers coming up through the soil.

Planting Colourful Crocus

We worked our way backwards from the white garden, planting as we went.

Once the greenhouse was built, we created a lavender border along it. When the lavender was small, and freshly planted. I thought I’d plant crocus all under it. The first couple of years, they looked great, but they have now unfortunately been swamped.

Mistakes were bound to be made, and this is one I’m in the process of correcting. Gradually digging them up and moving them to a new home.

Hardy Crocus

Crocus never cease to amaze me with their hardiness! Not just coming out on cold February days, but even peeping through the snow! After the white snowdrops, and the muted colours of the Hellebores. The crocus give the first, vibrant colour of the season.

Crocus in Pots

I good few years ago. I saw Monty Don plant crocus bulbs, into shallow terracotta pots. As I had a couple of suitable pots, I thought I’d have a go. I was thrilled with the results. The most obvious benefit is being able to place them right by the house. Getting the full benefit, even when I’m indoors.

Admiring other peoples crocus

This beautiful little church, is in a hamlet called Coddington. It’s only one mile from the the country hotel and golf course ‘Carden Park’. I’ve visited it before, but always slightly earlier in the year.

I go to see the churchyard, which is a carpet of snowdrops and we’ll worth visiting.

But this year to my great surprise, was a mass swathe of purple crocus. I’d never seen these before, I must obviously have been too early in previous years. I may have to go twice next year!