In the Green

Elisabeth — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:14:00 GMT

"In the Green"--What does it mean? At this time of year it means the time when a plant, like a crocus or snowdrop, is visible above the ground. These little springtime bloomers are "in the green" from the moment their tips emerge from the cold soil until the moment their withered leaves disappear in the late spring.

Why is "in the green" important? When crocuses or snowdrops (or for that matter, daffodils or hyacinths) are in the green, they are easily transplantable. In spring and summer you can't see them, and even if you mark their locations, digging at those times is a haphazard affair. The best time to dig and divide these bulb-forming plants is just after the spring blossoms have faded. Dig up an entire clump and divide it gently. This can usually be done with your fingers. Replant the divided clumps carefully, leaving the foliage intact. It will wither on its own.

Why dig and divide crocuses and snowdrops when the little bulbs are so cheap? Except for the common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), snowdrops succeed more readily when they are propagated by dividing existing clumps. As for crocuses, dividing existing clumps allows you to add to your collection and leaves you dollars left over to buy new varieties.

Glorious Crocuses

Elisabeth — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:05:00 GMT

There are plants that bloom earlier than crocuses, but I think there are no plants that are more welcome. The crocus display in my garden starts with multi-colored Crocus chrysanthus or snow crocuses that grow under the hedge along my driveway. When I see the first colored bud, I know that even if it snows ten more times, spring is not far off. Every year I vow to put in more of them. This year, I will mark the spots where snow crocuses already sprout, so I can plant intelligently in the fall.

The snow crocuses are followed by the big Dutch hybrid or Dutch giant crocuses, sometimes called Crocus vernus. These are roughly two or three times the size of their early-blooming relatives and put on a glorious show. In my garden they also tend to increase quickly, which means that you can divide clumps right after the blooms die off. I am fond of the dark purple ones, but I especially love 'Pickwick', which has dark purple strips on a pale purple background. When it opens its petals to the sunshine, the golden-orange stamens are on full display and they are glorious.

It is too late to do anything about crocuses this year, though if you want to cheat, you can buy some potted ones and install them in the bare spots of your garden. Make a note in your calendar, your garden diary or the electronic device that assists your memory. Shortly after the tulips bloom, various vendors will begin offering "early bird" specials on fall-planted bulbs. Crocuses are relatively cheap and you can never have enough. Next spring you will be glad that you added an extra fifty or so.

Growing Wise : crocus

In the Green

Glorious Crocuses