Winter Blooming Crocuses

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Well a few Crocuses I planted last year have come up and been blooming for a week now. It's been to cold for the bees to even bother though. Despite today's cold though one of my hives is in direct sun for most of the day and is active. I was shocked to find not only do they like the crocuses (that they didn't work last year) but they're swarming over them. Some 15 bees were fighting over about 30 flowers. Makes me wish I'd planted more of them.

The only color to survive seems to be the Yellow and White ones. There is a single purple one coming up but it's flower is so tiny I don't expect it will be alive next year. Two years ago I'd planted 100 corcuses and only the yellow ones in a specific location are coming up now. They do seem to have multiplied some though.
 

[poka-bee]

Oh, those happy bees & happy flowers! Beautiful pics!  I would plant more of the yellow & white then.  Some things just grow better than others in locations. Also, maybe the purple taste better to squirrels & stuff?  Just a thought!  J

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Come to think of it I think it was a packet of all purple ones but a few came up yellow. I wonder if I can buy them or what the genetics are with it.

[Jessaboo]

Beautiful pics!

I would def blame squirrels before crop failure. I, like an idiot, plant crocus every year and every year the squirrel's eat 'em before they bloom - regardless of color.

My winter aconite is about to bloom though. The squirrels don't seem to bother that. Will have to watch for foragers.

Heard from a nursery friend of mine that her winter sweet is in bloom and there are honeys all over it. Might try some of that for next year.

- Jess

[KONASDAD]

my purple bloom about a week later than whites and yellows. Yes squirreels eat them and replant them in the craziest of places too.

[poka-bee]

I hate squirrels!  This year I'm gonna try putting old 1/2 chix wire over my crocus plantings, put about a 1" of dirt on top, then the wire, then dirt or sod.  Crocus are soooo pretty when naturalized in the lawn!  They are done by the time you really have to mow  J