Winter species crocuses
Hi ya.
First time planting bulbs since having poor results at a previous property where I planted in the ground without protection
I'm a little wiser now.
I bought 100 winter flowering species crocuses online from J Parker's in Sept, created SEVEN bulb lasagne in pots (narcissi, hyacinths, tulips mixed and topped with these crocus) between 16Oct to mid Nov.. The crocus are advertised as flowering in Feb and Mar. But I noticed shoots (assuming crocus) this week! Will they flower very early? For how long will they flower? Might I have no colour in late winter? Will my other bulbs follow suit and appear early too? Should I change anything?
For the record, I am on the south coast, east Sussex, the garden faces south-west, and my pots are sitting in northwest facing shade directly outside the patio doors. Also we did have maybe three frosty nights since planting but our cold spell appears to be starting today for a week or two.
Any knowledge and/or guidance will be gratefully received.
Last edited: 25 November 2017 11:07:09
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Frost doesn't affect crocus - they come from all sorts of habitats including alpine conditions, so don't worry about that affecting growth, or the flowers
As Philippa says - where you are and what your own climactic conditions are like will dictate a lot in the garden. Everything I grow will be several weeks later than where you are on the south coast, but even here, crocus will start poking through in December.
Most crocus flower from around February, but different varieties will cause a variation. If it's milder just now, lots of bulbs will have foliage growing, but as the temps get lower, most of those will slow down. I'm not a fan of these mixed plantings in pots, because you can end up with a lot of foliage from the previous flowering bulb obscuring the emerging flowers of the next one. You have to be quite careful about how you layer them, and usually two or three types is the maximum to ensure a decent display.
Take photos through the flowering time, and see whcih bulbs are successful for you, and then you can always alter your plan next year to give the best display for your requirements. Be objective if you can, or ask someone else to give an opinion
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
"Be objective if you can, or ask someone else to give an opinion" FairyGirl
Objectivity is not my strong point & part of the reason I have joined in here
I will be requesting opinions, suggestions & advice all the way.
As for pics, definitely! My phone is chokka of my new garden's progress.
Thank you PS2 I look forward to enjoying my blooms whenever they occur
Reading the comments on Crocus ; have you thought of planting the late Autumn flowering Crocus speciosus?
In late September sunshine these glow almost neon-blue ; can be spectacular when planted in swathes amidst borders or a 'wild' part of your garden . I saw a large patch of these last month pushing through fallen leaves on the ground ; the transient effect was pretty stunning !
Novice - your pix haven't loaded unfortunately. At the moment, anything larger than about 2.5 MB doesn't load, so you might have to resize the pix.
Look forward to seeing them, and don't worry , we'll give you our opinions - no problem!
We'll be gentle with you though.....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl, my pics are only 1.5mb but I'm trying another method...
Can you see them now?
Paul B3.. nice idea. I have failed with bulbs in the past. Still creating beds & areas in new garden but desperate to try the bulb lasagne almost as much as I want the colour in the spring. These bulbs will hopefully end up in the garden somewhere autumn after next (2019)...need to know they will re-bloom.