The First Day of Spring!

This spring flowering bulb was first brought to Europe from its native Middle East in the 1500s. It was mostly grown for the fall blooming species used for making an expensive cooking spice. However, most gardeners know it for the early blooming varieties that herald spring. It’s the crocus.

This iris family corm (a rounded underground storage organ present in plants such as crocuses, gladioli, and cyclamens, consisting of a swollen stem base covered with scale leaves) produces tube-shaped flowers in abundance in colors such as mauve, lavender, white, and yellow.

Crocus chrysanthus varieties bloom early, often while there’s still snow on the ground.

Crocus are fall planted, like daffodils and tulips. Even with winter hanging on through March, look to see the crocus blooming in warm spots or protected areas.

A crocus is often the first sign of Spring in NYC.