Early Bulbs for Everyone

Looks like spring will be early this year! Or will it? We seem to be ping-ponging about weather-wise. At least there is moisture. The early bulbs have decided it’s time to add their particular magic to the garden.

I refuse to be without snowdrops. They’ve been up since early January, were happily tucked under snow, and now are blooming away. After a gloomy winter, how can you not be enchanted by these tiny hardy freeze-proof fairy bells? I only have Galanthus nivalis, regular old snowdrops. At some point, I’m sure I’ll branch out into cultivars and species as the budget allows.

Early or snow crocus are scattered like coins in my front lawn. Between these Blue Pearl and the pale Cream Beauty ones, they have seeded themselves in beds and amongst the turf. At only a couple of inches, I’ll cheerfully get my knees wet to take their portraits.

Recently, I’ve added tommy crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) to the mix in hopes that they will naturalize. It’s tough going under the elm, since the dense tree roots make it almost desert-like. However, they are doing their best and bringing lavender-purple happiness to me and the early bees.

Of course, with these charmers, the gardener always needs more of them. I’ll add it to the list of fall projects.