The Crocus Parade Continues

I was worried for my crocus last night. Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch and warned of the potential for "toonie-sized" hail. Toonie-sized hail! That could dent a car. Were my crocus doomed? Fortunately, the storm was limited to a heavy downpour. The crocus are none-the-worse for wear.

Blue Pearl is back for another year. There's an almost imperceptible dusting of lavender-blue on the outside of the petals. The insides are pearly white. This was easily my favourite selection from last year but this year it is underperforming.

I loved Blue Pearl so much last spring that I added another 40 corms to the garden last fall. I don't see them yet. A little disappointing for sure. I blame the squirrels.

Squirrels did quite a bit of damage to Crocus Tricolour last year but these cheerful blooms seem to be making a comeback.

These blooms feature an orange-yellow base, a band of white and purple-tipped petals.

Ruby Giant is making a really great impression this year. Only one flower survived the squirrel onslaught last year. To have a group of four in bloom is a treat.

The purple of Ruby Giant is much deeper than that of Tricolour. It is definitely a drama queen among the crocus.

There are many crocus still to come including: Jeanne d'Arc, Silver Coral, Pickwick, Prince Claus, Advance, Yalta, Minimus and Lady Killer. If you are able to deal with the disappointment of losing some corms to the squirrels, crocus are the perfect flower to kick start the gardening season.

Another Early Crocus

Crocus Fuscotinctus is back for another year. I love the feathered, purple stripes on the petals but prefer the creamy, mellow yellow of Crocus Romance. Like Romance, Fuscotinctus is early compared to last year. Is it too soon to sense a theme for the garden season ahead?

First Crocus

Wow! The garden is really ahead of schedule. Crocus Romance is in full bloom one full month ahead of last year. Romance first bloomed two days ago.

I love these buttery yellow blooms. Remarkably, the squirrels have not touched them. I can't say that about all my crocus. Critter damage is apparent in some selections that are still emerging. Maybe the squirrels don't like yellow. I, on the other hand, am loving it! Bring on spring.

First Snowdrop

The temperature reached 9.3 degrees celcius today. Reason enough to get outside and do some garden clean-up. I found the first snowdrop of the year when I cleared away the dried stems of the calamint, which was also greening up at the crown. There's snow in the forecast later this week. Glad I was able to enjoy this February day in the garden.

Signs of Spring

You know it has been an unusual winter when daffodils are poking through the soil in February!

These two snapshots were taken in a full-sun Hamilton-area garden over the weekend.

In my own garden, the snow crocus are starting to push skyward. It won't be long now before the bulbs starts producing some fabulous colour. Can't wait!

Garden Talk on the Evergreen Garden Market

I'm looking forward this talk on the Evergreen Brick Works Garden Market hosted by the North Toronto Horticultural Society. I have always wanted to visit the market and am especially interested to learn about the native plant selections. I'll take notes and start planning ahead for spring planting (although it feels like I could plant today....our January has been CRAZY mild.)

Toronto and area gardeners are more than welcome to attend. The talk is free. A $2 donation is suggested for refreshments. All the details are in the links.

Just In Time

I saw the first snowflake of November today. It was small and the moment was fleeting but it was snow nevertheless. Thankfully, the patio furniture is in the basement, the bulbs have been planted and the garden has been put to bed for another year.

Here's what was in this year's box of bulbs:

5 Narcissus "Variant"
10 Narcissus "Sorcerer"
30 Hyacinthoides "English Bluebells"
45 Scilla "Spring Beauty"
4 Camassia"Blue Melody"
6 Tulipa "Drumline"
10 Tulipa "Sylvestris"
20 Puschkinia "libanotica"

Crocus in early spring are just about the best thing about gardening so I have added lots:

12 Crocus "Jeanne d"Arc"
12 Crocus "Silver Coral"
12 Crocus "Pickwick"
20 Crocus "Prince Claus"
40 Crocus "Blue Pearl" (so stunning last spring I just had to have more!)
20 Crocus "Advance"
20 Crocus "Yalta"
50 Snow Crocus "Minimus"
25 Snow Crocus "Lady Killer"

Add that to all the bulbs planted the year before and the springtime garden promises to be stunning. Time to hunker down with some good books until spring returns once again.