Crocus - An Early Start To Spring

Crocus (Crocus spp.) can be your wake-up call that winter is coming to an end (USDA hardiness zones 3- 8). They bloom in late winter (in the south); fall blooming varieties are also available. Bulbs (they're actually "corms") are available in flower colors from blue, purple, white, yellow, and mixed shades.

Choose from large and small flowered types. Six petal, cup shaped flowers stand tall above the foliage which emerges as bright green blades of grass with a center white stripe. The grassy foliage grows taller after flowers wither away.

Crocus thrive in full sun and tend to bloom earlier than those planted in partial shade. They prefer a well-drained soil with pH of 6.0 - 7.0. Crocus generally fail when sown in soggy ground.

Flower buds open to warming early morning sunlight, and close up in cloudy weather and in the evening. Crocus bloom and easily naturalize where winters are cold. Sow corms in mid-fall because they require 12-15 weeks planted in cold soil (35 - 45 °F) to initiate their blooms.

Crocus grow 3- 8 inches high depending on variety. Sow drifts of crocus in several places around the garden, under trees, sprinkled in the lawn, in alpine and rock gardens, and in containers. Interplant crocus with short growing narcissus, hyacinths and tulips, and pansies and violas. Plant them where perennials emerge in mid-spring and crocus foliage has died back.

Crocus thrive in the garden for many years. Eventually, some in the planting may decline due to virus diseases which distort the leaves and cause streaking; bloom buds may fail to open. Dig up and dispose of virus infected plants to prevent spreading diseases. Crocus are generally critter-proof, but areas overpopulated by deer, chipmunks, rabbits and squirrels may dig up corms or chew down leaves and flowers. Voles also feed on corms.

The ancient Greeks collected and dried the stigmas from autumn-flowering crocus (C. sativus) to make saffron herb used in food dishes.

Crocus may be purchased at most garden centers in the fall. For a wider choice in varieties, buy from a mail order supplier like Brent and Becky's Bulbs in Gloucester, VA. They also sell fall blooming crocus.

Agapanthus- Hardiness Issues

Lovely agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) is native to South Africa and is not reliably hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (zones 6 – 7). Many small tubular flowers comprise each ball -shaped (umbel) flower cluster. Tall sturdy floral scapes rise 1 to 4 feet in height, blooming from late spring into late summer depending on the cultivar. Many cultivars are available in shades of blue, purple and white.
In this region, agapanthus may be dependably grown in outdoor landscape planters which are brought inside in the fall. Agapanthus has multiple cultural issues: cold hardiness, wet wintry soils and hungry voles. Further south in zone 7-b, the crown may be covered over with several inches of leaves or mulch in late fall. The mulch is removed once the threat of spring frost has passed.
Agapanthus produces attractive glossy, strap-like green leaves, which grow from its fleshy tuberous roots. It is propagated by division of the root clumps immediately after flowering. Divide vigorous clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
Agapanthus prefers a well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil. Locate the plant in a warm, sheltered spot under partial sun. Space plants 24 inches apart with its shallow surface roots barely visible on the ground.
Don’t permit agapanthus to dry out. Weekly watering encourages a deep extensive root system. Soggy soil is never good; the leaf tips turn yellow in a waterlogged soil.
Agapanthus requires light constant feeding in the spring and summer months using either water-soluble or slow release fertilizer with a 10-20-20 ratio. In the fall stop feeding and reduce watering to induce plant dormancy.
Pruning is done sparingly, usually to remove damaged or dead foliage before new leaves emerge in the spring.
Mealybug , red spider mite, and voles may become significant pest/critter problems.