Crocus
The
crocus is one of the first flowers to bloom, about the same time as the
snowdrop and before the daffodils. Depending on the species and the locale,
crocuses can bloom in February or March. Some varieties even bloom in autumn.
As a general rule, it is what are called the species crocuses that bloom
earlier than the larger, showier Dutch or hybrid crocuses. Regardless of
variety, crocuses are always a welcome sight after a long, barren winter.
Crocuses
are easy to grow. All they need to thrive is full sun and a well drained soil.
Buy and plant corms (what the bulbs are called) in autumn. Add organic matter
such as compost, or a commercial fertilizer made for bulbs, at the time of
planting. Crocuses are hardy plants that
increase year after year. They are best planted in mass for a striking display.
Since the corms are relatively small, they are easy to tuck into the soil
around existing plants. Plant them among perennials, at the base of shrubs and
trees, even in the lawn. By the time the grass is ready for its first mowing of
the season, the leaves of the crocuses should have created and stored up enough
energy to flower again next year.
Crocuses,
like so many other plants, have traveled the world over the centuries.
Originally native to the Mediterranean, North Africa and Spain, it traveled to
China with the Mongols. It arrived in England in the sixteenth century and to
the United States in 1740 when Peter Collinson of England sent John Bartram
over twenty varieties. Ancient artifacts
have been discovered providing evidence that crocuses were cultivated even in
antiquity. Pottery decorated with the image of crocuses was found in Crete
which dates back to 1500 B.C. An ancient scroll from 1552 B.C. describes the
medicinal uses for crocus. There is also mention of it in the Song of Solomon
(4:14), where it is referred to as saffron. Saffron is one species of crocus (C. sativa) prized for the orange pollen
that has been used as a seasoning and dye since ancient times. The cost is
extremely expensive as you would imagine. It takes over 4000 crocus flowers to
make an ounce of saffron.
Folklore
regarding the crocus revolves around love. According to Homer, the marriage bed
of Zeus and Hera was made out of crocuses. Ancient Greeks decorated their
wedding banquets and marriage beds with crocus petals. There is a mythological
story of how Crocus was turned into the flower he is by Aphrodite because of
the love he spurned from the nymph Smilax. In Victorian times it was believed
the crocus inspired love and so was sent between lovers. A short poem by Ella
Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) uses the crocus and other flowers to contrast the
differences between two lovers.
“You like buttercups, dewy sweet
And crocuses, framed in snow;
I like roses, born of the heat,
And the red carnation’s glow.”
Why
not give (or request) a bouquet of crocuses this Valentine’s day instead of
roses? Or use these copyright free images to make some Valentine’s cards:
I
have very much enjoyed researching and writing about each of our twelve flowers
during this past year. I hope you have enjoyed reading the articles.
Susan Ernst
Thank you so much Susan for all your hard work.
Whatever you choose to do with the inspiration here, please share it with us all using the linky below.
