Lawn Crocus
Crocus tommasinianus – a classic English technique for dressing up a dull lawn
Posted by: Kate Bryant on Feb 07, 2011 at 06:00PM
6 Comments
Spring comes in waves in the Pacific Northwest.
First we have the native osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis ) whose green, chain-like flowers light up the woods in January. Next come the spicily-scented witch hazel flowers that unfurl as January progresses – a sweet, earthy reminder that winter will one day be over. Then the snowdrops send up their tiny white spears and gardeners everywhere sigh with hope that spring is just around the corner. Then come the adorable little purple crocus , heralding possibly the most important moment in the slow, tantalizing dance that is late winter in our region: the moment we’re over the “hump.” The hump of winter, the hump of horrid weather – let’s just say we’re over the general hump of gloom. Of course the sunshine-yellow forsythia and golden daffodils are still to come. But by then, we’re already over the hump so they’re like icing on the cake.
Right now, just bring on those teeny little purple crocus – the ultimate in springiness!
There are many kinds of early species crocus. Crocus tommasinianus (pictured above and to right) – affectionately called “tommies” in England – are preferred for lawns because the flowers and foliage fade long before the grass needs mowing. But most of the delicate little species have slender, grasslike foliage and dainty, cupped flowers that would look natural in a lawn. The big, hefty purple, white and yellow ones sold in big boxes in, y’know, big box stores wouldn’t look so good in a lawn.
Instead, plant tiny treasures like Crocus tommasinianus, C. chrysanthus, C. biflorus, C. sieberi and C. flavus. They can be found in specialty bulb catalogs like Brent & Becky’s and Van Engelen Bulb Co. during the fall planting season. They are inexpensive at about $25 per hundred – and look especially fantastic in drifts, emerging from a mossy lawn. If you have to have a lawn, plant these all through the grass in the fall, clip the grass short in November and enjoy the tiny, often fragrant flowers in February.
Lovely!
A lawn full of Crocus is on the wish list of planting projects. I can imagine doing a fall lawn aeration and filling all the plug holes (or a portion of them) with the diminutive foliaged species. Thanks for pointing out the difference in foliage, as easy clean up at the end of the show gives one a certain satisfaction and enhances the enjoyment of the unfolding transitions through the seasons. As our gardens get stuffed and “more” doesn’t work as well as it used too, bulbs can do the job. I recently came into possession of about a hundred Alium Purple Sensation. Though they look good on their own, or as companion plantings, my Feb. project is to use them specifically as under plantings. To identify shrubs that would benefit from an extended time in the spot light or a doubled up show. First on the list is a group of large Hellebous foetidus. I’m thinking at first glance they’d look like part of the Helleborus, and on second look appear to be floating above the mounds of chartreuse(y) toothed foliage. This type planting exercise reinforces the benefits of keeping a journal – will the foliage on the Helleborus be in good shape or to size? Will there be residual bloom still going from the February H. show? What other viable candidates are there in the landscape. Without the journal we have to rely on our reflections – maybe that’s not such a bad thing….
I did this for a client a few years ago and she calls me every year to let me know that “the crocus are up!!!” It’s sweet that a small flower give so much pleasure. This year they seem especially early…
Thanks Shelby! And Dan, yes, bulbs are so fine for layering. Loooove Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ – so fabulous in purple flower and just as good as they fade. Keeping a journal’s a smart idea – particularly if you have patches of crocus in the lawn and want to know where to fill more in for the following spring. I keep written and photographic journals… Who can remember in fall where crocus were coming up the previous spring?
Suzinn, yes, there’s something about the moment when you see that crocus-spangled lawn that just thrills. And while some things are definitely early this year (such as hellebores), my tommies were in full flower in my lawn on Feb 9 last year (according to my journal and photos). God I’m a nerd.
I’ve been ruminating about what to do with the (mostly moss) leftover lawn that I haven’t removed yet. Didn’t want to reseed…good idea.