There is glory in 'empty' Mar 24, 2008
LL wrote on Mar 23, 2008 9:29 AM:" The Robins are back! I heard my first Meadow Lark a few days ago! Soon I will take my annual spring trek out to a special hill west of Mandan. I will wander around on the south sloping side of the hill that is located along old highway 10, and look for North Dakotas real telling sign that our winter has left us. Punching up through the hard, once frozen ground, and even sometimes pushing through the recent freshly fallen thin layer of snow, will be the first... (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
RHETA GRIMSLEY JOHNSON:Spring becomes headliner in Mississippi Mar 23, 2008
Meanwhile, here in the hollow I call home, a purple crocus poked its head through a pile of winter leaves and said: "Wake up, fool. Get off the couch. Turn off the TV. Politics is boring. Spring is here.". I'd patiently waited 20 years to see a snowfall at this old farm. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal)
Getting Personal:Is it time to plant the peas? Mar 21, 2008
Nature is starting to awaken from the winter s sleep, and we already see some crocus bulbs poking up here and there and just the tips of daffodils emerging from the soil. The birds are returning right on time. (Danvers Herald, MA)
Spice splurges; spring cleaning Mar 19, 2008
Purchase only whole crocus stigmas to ensure quality for this often adulterated and extremely expensive spice. Only a few threads are needed to infuse dishes with a bittersweet flavor and brilliant orange-red color. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
An outstanding volunteer (9) Mar 4, 2008
Daffodils and crocus bloom in the island beds that are ringed by rocks. Grass covers the rest of the garden. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Noting when plants bloom documents warming Feb 28, 2008
Biologist Camille Parmesan of the University of Texas writes: "Peoples of Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland have been keen on (some might say even obsessed with) recording the first signs of spring - the first leaf on an oak, the first peacock butterfly seen flying, the first crocus in bloom - as a mark that the long, dark winter is finally over.". If there's a father of phenology, it's Robert Marsham, who began recording "Indications of Spring" on his Norfolk estate in 1736. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Cottingham: Order bulbs now Feb 19, 2008
Your Connection to the. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Medical plants at risk of extinction Jan 22, 2008
The report also said autumn crocus, which is a natural treatment for gout and has been linked to helping fight leukaemia, is at risk of over-harvest as it is popular with the horticultural trade because of its stunning petals. "The loss of the world's medicinal plants may not always be at the forefront of the public consciousness," BBC quoted report author Belinda Hawkins, as saying. (Times of India)
It's time to consider the garden in winter Jan 20, 2008
These include snowdrops, some crocuses and winter aconite ... People always seems to go for the tulips but the snowdrops have a wonderful scent and so do the snow crocus. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Medical plants 'face extinction' Jan 19, 2008
Half the world's species threatened, mostly due to deforestation Autumn crocus - Romans and Greeks used it as poison, but now one of the most effective treatments for gout ... The report also said autumn crocus, which is a natural treatment for gout and has been linked to helping fight leukaemia, is at risk of over-harvest as it is popular with the horticultural trade because of its stunning petals. (BBC News -- Health)
Wait! Don't bloom yet! Jan 10, 2008
Matthew Chappell, a University of Georgia assistant professor of horticulture, said hyacinths, narcissi and crocus typically sprout around Valentine's Day. "This is exceptionally early," he said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Warm, but not a record Jan 9, 2008
I haven t seen any crocus coming through yet, but someone will tell you they have, Billingsley said. Last year, some oak trees were damaged by the April freeze. (Harrisburg Daily Register, IL)
Do you need to poke a potato before baking? Dec 27, 2007
But many bulbs - including tulips, hyacinths, crocus, and narcissus - require a cold treatment in order to flower. This involves keeping the bulbs at a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 17 weeks. (Boston Globe)
Fashion Colors for Spring 2008 Dec 27, 2007
Whether it be Freesia, Spring Crocus or Cantaloupe, according to the fashion world's king of color, next season's colors reflect the floral tones we associate with spring ... With vibrant and uplifting colors and flowery deep pink undertones, "The spring '08 color palette perfectly reflects the cheerfulness of the season. Stabilizing neutrals combined with pops of brighter colors to create unique, distinctive looks are the basis for a great spring and summer wardrobe , says Executive Director of... (Suite101.com)
Cloud cast over Iran's 3,000-year-old export industry Nov 24, 2007
Frigid temperatures greet pickers like Ebrahim Baratnejad as they head for the fields to set about the crocuses that yield up one of the most precious ingredients of the eastern kitchen ... Saffron is derived from the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus, a bulbous perennial of the iris family (Iridaceae). (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
Monthly Gardening Tasks: November Nov 15, 2007
-- Plant tulips and hyacinths as well as other spring-blooming bulbs such as anemone, crocus, daffodil, Dutch hyacinth, Dutch iris, freesia, leucojum, narcissus, ranuncula and scilla. -- Prepare indoor bulbs: hyacinths and paperwhite narcissus. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Spring Flower Bulbs Grow too Soon Nov 14, 2007
What happens if spring blooming bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, alliums, hyacinths and grape hyacinths start to grow too soon in the fall ... Grape Hyacinths and Autumn Crocus Should Grow in the Fall ... Fall blooming crocus or colchicums also send up growth -- and bloom -- in the fall. (Suite101.com)
New Barcelona Nov 13, 2007
The name Croydon is thought to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon for crocus ("croh") and valley ("denu"). Croydon is home to 342,700 people - but just 4,400 live in the town centre. (Guardian Unlimited)
Plant winter bulbs now for early Spring Oct 18, 2007
In Arkansas, the most common bulbs grown are crocus, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. The first step to ensuring large, vibrant blooms is the selection of large healthy bulbs. (Truman Democrat, AR)
Extension connection: Bulbs: Busy now, benefits later Oct 14, 2007
Smaller bulbs, such as crocuses and muscari, require a bed that s 5 inches deep with bulbs spaced 3 inches apart ... Bulbs that perform well under trees and shrubs include: grape hyacinths, crocus, winter aconites, snowdrops, siberian squill, leucojums, bluebells and early maturing daffodils. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
What heirloom gardeners and archeologists share Oct 9, 2007
Among the most valuable spices of the Old World is golden saffron, 'Crocus sativus,' dates back to the dawn of civilization ... Do not confuse this crocus with the more common true bulb crocus that bloom all over the northern regions at the dawn of spring ... Be sure to distinguish three stamen saffron crocus from the highly poisonous six stamen colchicum crocus, all of which bloom in fall. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Design Chat: Keep your garden from becoming a deer buffet Oct 7, 2007
Bulbs crocus, daffodil, grape hyacinth and snowdrops. Flowers beebalm, astilbe, columbine, peony, purple coneflower, yucca, coreopsis, pinks, bleeding hearts, cranesbill, sunflower, hellebore, and foxglove. (Helena Independent Record)
Volunteers pitch in to help spruce up campus ... Taylor is grand marshal ... ';var marqueewidth="350px";var marqueeheight="25px";var marqueebgcolor="#FFFFFF";////NO NEED TO EDIT BELOW THIS LINE////////////var pauseit=1;var marqueespeed=1 //slow speed down by 1 for NSvar copyspeed=marqueespeedvar pausespeed=(pauseit==0)? copyspeed: 0var iedom=document.all||document.getElementByIdif (iedom)document.write(''+marqueecontent+'')var actualwidth=''var cross_marquee, ns_marqueefunction populate(){if (iedom){cross_marquee=document.getElementById? document.getElementById("iemarquee") : document.all.iemarqueecross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8+"px"cross_marquee.innerHTML=marqueecontentactualwidth=document.all? temp.offsetWidth : document.getElementById("temp").offsetWidth}else if (document.layers){ns_marquee=document.ns_marquee.document.ns_marquee2ns_marquee.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8ns_marquee.document.write(marqueecontent)ns_marquee.document.close()actualwidth=ns_marquee.document.width}lefttime=setInterval("scrollmarquee()",20)}window.onload=populate;function scrollmarquee(){if (iedom){if (parseInt(cross_marquee.style.left)>(actualwidth*(-1)+8))cross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(cross_marquee.style.left)-copyspeed+"px"elsecross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8+"px"}else if (document.layers){if (ns_marquee.left>(actualwidth*(-1)+8))ns_marquee.left-=copyspeedelsens_marquee.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8}}if (iedom||document.layers){with (document){document.write('')if (iedom){write('')write('')write('')write('')}else if (document.layers){write('')write('')write('')}document.write('')}}Saturday, September 29, 2007 CRAIG FINLAY/Journal Photo-Racheal Heagney, who plays second base on the Western Illinois University Westerwinds softball team, pitches in to help with prairie restoration Wednesday afternoon at Thompson Hall. The entire softball team, along with a number of other volunteers, spent more than two hours at the site for the We Care 2007 campus beautification project, part of Homecoming Week. Volunteers pitch in to help spruce up campus Sep 29, 2007
Elsewhere on campus throughout the week, students planted school-color, purple and gold mums near Sherman Hall, and crocus bulbs in the interior of campus that will bloom in the spring, in addition to a number of trees. Beal said the labor strengthens the campus community by allowing the students to make a visible impact on campus. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Now’s the time to plan, plant, spring bulbs Sep 25, 2007
Given the right weather conditions, some flowers such as the delicate snowdrop and familiar crocus, are so eager to greet spring that they bravely peak out from lingering patches of snow. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are also among some of the spring-flowering bulbs that greet us early in the season. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Stuck in a rut? Branch out and plant some bulbs Sep 14, 2007
Good ones to begin with include daffodils (Narcissus), grape hyacinth, snowflake (Leucojum, often mistakenly called snowdrops), starflower (Ipheion), crocus, painted arum (Arum italicum), wood hyacinth (Hyacinthoides hispanica) and oxalis. There are others, of course, but isn't this enough to get a good start. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Fall Flower Care after Frost Aug 30, 2007
You can plant spring bulbs (crocus, , etc. up until the ground freezes, but they do better with a little time to root before then. (Suite101.com)
Plants can suffer jet lag, too Aug 20, 2007
Crocus will be a most welcome color at winter's end. You can also sow seed of over wintering annuals such as coreopsis, hollyhock, larkspur, poppy and sweet William. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Worth its weight in gold Jul 7, 2007
The strands are harvested from the pistils of the autumn-flowering crocus and each flower has only three. About 500,000 crocus pistils - or 170,000 flowers - are needed to make a kilogram of saffron. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Cottage Garden Flowers Jul 2, 2007
Plant Old Fashioned Flowers for Traditional Cottage Garden Style. Learn how to combine favorite old fashioned flowers of all kinds to design your own colorful cottage garden filled with fragrant roses, lilacs, peonies and more. (Suite101.com)
Art in the Park vendor displays flower power Jul 2, 2007
But she especially loves crocuses ... "Dad would come walking in with a crocus for mom." ... Now her crocuses become cards and mounted prints, Woodcock doing the whole process herself. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Now's The Time To Shop For Fall Bulbs May 30, 2007
to take advantage of the current 50 percent off sale on tulip, daffodil, crocus and lily bulbs, plus Amaryllis for the holidays. "The earlier you order, the more you save," says American Meadows President Ray Allen. (KCRA 3, CA)
Flowers: Something to chew on May 17, 2007
The spice saffron is the stamen from the crocus flower. Capers are unopened flower buds to a bush that is native in the Mediterranean and Asian regions. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Spring Blooming Trees Apr 1, 2007
Flowers burst with color at every level of the garden; from tiny spring bulbs like crocus and daffodils, or climbing vines like wisteria, to and ornamental trees. The garden can be full of color early in the growing season. (Suite101.com)
5 reasons to visit Europe in spring Mar 24, 2007
Remy De La Mauviniere / APSome crocus flowers bloom nearthe Eiffel tower in Paris ... Holland is a riot of tulips and crocuses. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Spring weather vanishes in surprise winter mess Mar 17, 2007
PAWTUCKET - Snowdrops bloomed on Sunday, crocus on Wednesday. Friday came and buried all the tender flowers in a stinging, miserable blanket of white. (Pawtucket Times, RI)
Draine: Earth Days offer double chances to cherish planet Mar 15, 2007
We grin foolishly at a crocus in bloom ... I am left counting crocuses, appreciating soft air, spring-colored sunsets and wondering again why and how what should be so simple and straightforward being knowledgeable, caring custodians of our future on our earth becomes so fractured and divisive. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Have we broken winter’s back? Mar 12, 2007
Resident Linda Poortenga remarked on how she loves seeing the daffodil, crocus and tulips pop up out of the snow giving her the signs that spring is here. She said that she is excited because spring lets her know she can get started in her garden. (Rensselaer Republican, IN)
Sentinel's ‘Taste of Home' tickets still available Mar 11, 2007
Saffron is the yellow-orange stigmas of the purple crocus plant. Each flower has 3 stigmas, which must be handed-picked. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
The year that spring stole a surprise March on summer Mar 11, 2007
More anecdotally, this year a spring crocus was found flowering on New Year's Day, and an English oak tree has been in leaf all winter. The Kew records are believed to be the longest comprehensive collection of such information - but they happened only because one man made it his lifetime's work. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Master Gardner: Compromise in the garden Mar 8, 2007
He liked the boldness of a huge sunflower, and I delighted in the serendipity discovery of a miniature crocus. While he researched topiaries and knot gardens, I protected our shrubs from being whittled into little puffs. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
The most sensual spring appetizers Feb 26, 2007
"They've all been coaxed to bloom at the same time, so you get crocus right next to tulips.". The exhibit masses both the familiar (squill and grape hyacinths as well as narcissus, hyacinths , and tulips) and the more exotic. (Boston Globe)
Time to warm up to garden chores Feb 25, 2007
Not to mention a stray crocus or two. Thinking I could wait until mid-January to do what should have been done in October - or November, at the latest - was a big mistake. (Cape Cod Times, MA)
Not your typical Atlanta winter Jan 6, 2007
"It's not unusual for this area to have some kind of winter warm up, but this one has lasted longer than most," says Jamie Blackburn, a curator at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where blooming Japanese cherry trees, honeysuckle, daffodils and crocus are providing an unusual burst of mid-winter color ... Crocuses are pushing up in backyard gardens as far north as New Jersey. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Unusually warm winter soothing Midwest, East Jan 4, 2007
CHICAGO - Crocuses are pushing out of the ground in New Jersey ... Maria Freitas said that not only are crocus bulbs blooming in her Rahway, N.J., backyard, but the asparagus is 3 inches high. (AZCentral -- News)
Memorial School students toil in the soil with bulbs Jan 2, 2007
That's because the 76 ambitious members of the school's second-grade class recently took part in a community service project planting 178 tulip, daffodil, hyacinth and crocus bulbs around the school's sign and entryway. "The town has always been very supportive of our school and its students," said Connie Holt, who has taught at the Rochester Memorial School for 27 years. (The Standard-Times, MA)
Gulf Arabs announce nuclear energy ambitions Dec 11, 2006
Iranian women sort through stigmas from saffron crocus flowers before they are packaged at the Novin Saffron processing and packing facility in Mashad, 950km (590 miles) east of Tehran, in this November 6, 2006 file photo. The spice saffron is derived from these flowers. (Reuters AlertNet)
The new trees Dec 3, 2006
Both cut and pot-grown trees, plus door wreaths and table decorations, can be ordered for delivery to most of mainland Britain from Crocus (0870 787 1414; ). Young visitors to the Christmas Tree Farm at Billingley in South Yorkshire can meet real reindeer. (Telegraph.co.uk)
La Mancha relaunches saffron as luxury brand Nov 14, 2006
The painstaking production of the delicate filaments, which require 200 purple crocus flowers for every gram and sell for up to 24 an ounce, had been declining for decades because of competition from a cheaper variety grown in Iran. But the regional government, looking for new schemes to raise La Mancha's profile, is promoting its saffron as a luxury export, following the success of other gourmet Spanish ingredients such as olive oil and wine. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
Your winter garden should have a purpose Nov 8, 2006
Albany Democrat-Herald. Last modified Tuesday, November 7, 2006 4:11 PM PST. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Maintenance helps protect your home and yard from pests, mold and weather Nov 2, 2006
Tulips, daffodils, alliums, crocus and others are planted in mid-late fall. Improve the soil with compost and bone meal, or other phosphorus source, to encourage flowering. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Create a rhythm not a regiment for bulbs Oct 26, 2006
"Van der Kloet's plantings are naturalistic -- meaning they evoke the feeling of nature, not copy it. Most of our bulbs hail originally from Central Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, so an American garden that includes them is hardly natural. But it can have an echo of the ease and grace with which plants live together in the wild. Some Tips on Mixing Choose three kinds. To start, try three different kinds of crocus, perhaps in shades of purple. Or use three different kinds of... (Charlotte.com, NC -- Living)
Iran's saffron worries KashmirisAddMyLinkImage("/news/181_1826641,000600030010.htm", "Iran's saffron worries Kashmiris"); Oct 23, 2006
Kashmir annually produces 13,000 kilograms of saffron (crocus stavia kashmiriana) a costly ingredient used in medicines and south Asian cuisine ... An influential caucus of saffron dealers imports the Iranian crocus, mixes it with the local production and sells it as Kashmiri saffron, said G.M. Pampori, president of the Saffron Growers Association. (Hindustan Times, India)
It's time to winterize your garden Oct 7, 2006
Sternbergia lutea, with yellow blossoms that resemble a crocus, are out now as well, with foliage that indicates their presence. Hellebores, not yet overly active, are preparing for their show, which generally begins around Christmas. (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, VA)
Heavy pruning of wisteria will delay summer flowering Oct 6, 2006
Purchase bulbs now - daffodils, crocus, hyacinth, dutch iris, grape hyacinth, anemone, ranunculus and tulips. Put the tulips in the refrigerator and the hyacinths, too, if you've tried them before with little success. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Russians take bling to new heights Sep 20, 2006
Last year, the capital's glitzy Crocus City Mall hosted its first "Millionaire Fair," an eye-popping assembly of fashion shows, champagne and caviar, a Bryan Ferry performance and more than 100 luxury vendors selling everything from diamonds and yachts to islands in the Pacific. De Luxe Alliance's forte is real estate. (FOX59, IN)
A crocus that hails arrival of autumn Sep 14, 2006
Until you get used to them, the blooms seem oddly out of season because they recall spring crocuses ... The bulbs go by the misleading names of autumn crocus or meadow saffron, but are best identified by their botanic name, colchicum ... There are, indeed, autumn-flowering crocuses, true crocuses, including that culinary jewel, the saffron crocus. (Charlotte.com, NC -- Living)
The garden year Sep 13, 2006
Try crocus, scilla, and anemone. Select the colors you want by checking your bulb catalogue. (Yreka Siskiyou Daily News, CA)
Big explosions of color can come from small bulbs Sep 11, 2006
Crocus is by far the best known of the mini-bulbs and is cherished as the first color of spring. You can find them locally in garden centers and even supermarkets in the fall. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
GARDENING: September brings blessed relief for everyone Sep 7, 2006
Bulbs: Note what you can plant this month: anemones, crocus, daffodils, Dutch iris, freesias, hyacinths, ranunculus, scilla, snowdrops, tigridia and tulips ... Chill crocus, hyacinths and tulips in the refrigerator for at least six weeks or you will end up with puny blooms next spring. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Life)
Master Garden’s Corner: Spring bulbs Sep 3, 2006
Large bulbs such as tulips and daffodils will be planted about 8 inches deep, and smaller bulbs like crocus will be planted 3 to 4 inches deep. Measure planting depth from the bottom of the bulb. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
Erica Glasener: Saviors of the late-summer garden Aug 26, 2006
Small creamy white, crocuslike flowers (3 to 4 inches across) appear on stems 8 to 12 inches tall in August and September ... Colchicums are often mistakenly called autumn crocus because of their flowers ... Other fall-blooming bulbs include a selection of crocus that is as easy to grow as its spring cousins and equally rewarding. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Home & Garden)
Satisfying Summer Sweet Tooth Aug 16, 2006
Saffron is actually the stigma of the crocus flower and is harvested by hand. There are three stigmas per flower, and it takes about 14,000 of them to make one ounce of saffron. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Beware of bugs that bite Aug 11, 2006
Smaller bulbs (crocus, grape hyacinth) should be planted 5 inches deep and 1 to 2 inches apart. A local gardener has another bit of advice. (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, VA)
Party Hardy With Paella Aug 3, 2006
It's the world's most expensive spice and no wonder: It's actually the dried stamens of the crocus flower. But a little saffron goes a long way, so you don't wind up spending too much on the pungent spice. (CBS News -- 48 Hours)
GARDENING: Master gardeners receive recognition for hard work Aug 3, 2006
Bulbs to focus on are flowering onion, anemone, crocus, amaryllis, hyacinth, iris, daffodil, ranunculus and tulip. Bulbs to consider for summer color next year: agapanthus, caladium, canna, daylily, elephant ear, gladiolus, gloriosa lily, spider lily, tiger flower, society and garlic. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Life)
