Early Bloomers...

Winter can be hard. It is a time of going inward but that isn't always an easy task. I get the Winter blues and I know others do as well so this post is about a few early blooming plants to brighten the gray days of Winter and bring a little sunshine back into our lives.

Hellabore or Lenten Rose

Hellebores are a genus of bushy, clumping, flowering perennials in the Ranunculaceae family native to Europe, Morocco, and temperate Asia. The genus contains 22 species and many hybrids that are commonly grown in gardens for their evergreen foliage and winter or early spring-blooming flowers. Hellebores, sometimes commonly called hybrid Lenten roses or hybrid winter roses, typically grow to 12-15” tall. They are noted for producing single, cup-shaped flowers (typically 2 to 3 inches in diameter) in a large variety of colors, including various shades and tints of white, pink, red, purple, and yellow. Blossoms usually appear on the tips of the plant's branched stems in late winter extending into early spring.

Crocus

Common crocus is a genus in the Iridaceae (iris) family, comprising about 90 species of deciduous, perennial, early spring-blooming corms. They are native to the Mediterranean and eastern Europe to northwest China. Crocus is the middle English word for “saffron plant,” as saffron comes from the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus. 

Crocus need full sun to partial shade and gritty, well-drained soils; sandy loam with composted organic matter is best. Avoid heavy clay. They tolerate drought, but keep them moist during the growing season. Keep the foliage intact for about six weeks after the plants bloom, as the leaves are generating food for next year's floral production. Propagation is by division, which is recommended every four years. 

The flowers bloom in early spring, typically closing at night or on cloudy days and opening up with the morning sun, with many hybrids available.

Snowdrops

Snowdrop is a small bulbous perennial with milk white flowers in the Amaryllidaceae (onion) family. It is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. Its common name is a reference to the time of year when the plant blooms—late winter to early spring—when snow can be present. 

Snowdrop grows best in full sun to part shade in clay or loam soil with high organic matter. The site needs good drainage although snowdrop will tolerate a site that is occasionally wet.  Propagate snowdrop by division or stem cutting. In order to germinate, snowdrop seeds need to experience a cold spell, below 20 degrees F; therefore, the plant may have a shorter lifespan in warmer climates. 

Snowdrop easily spreads by self-seeding and bulb offsets to form new clumps, so plant it in a naturalized area or in a woodland garden under deciduous trees or shrubs where it has room to roam. It is also at home in a rock garden, a winter garden, and a pollinator garden where it will feed bees.

Daffodils

Daffodils are fast-growing, perennial, deciduous bulbs in the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family. Their native range is northern Africa, Europe, Afghanistan, China, and Japan. With an erect, clumping habit, plants will be 8 to 30 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide. The genus Narcissus is named for a beautiful youth who became so entranced with his own reflection that he pined away, and the gods turned him into this flower.

Daffodils require full sun to partial shade and acidic soil. The flowers follow the sun so consider this when planting. While drought tolerant, the plants require moisture and good drainage during the growing season. The best time to plant the bulbs is in the fall. Plant in groups of at least six sweeping masses, and they can be mixed with all varieties of other spring-flowering bulbs. You will be able to plant 10 to 12 bulbs per square foot when planting them 2 to 3 inches apart. Plant the bulbs 8 inches deep. After the flowers have bloomed, the top portion of each flower stem may be removed as practicable to prevent seed formation, but foliage should not be cut back until it begins to yellow. Bulbs can be left undisturbed for a number of years. If bloom quality and quantity decline over time, clumps can be divided by digging just after the foliage dies back. 

Plant these beauties in the Fall and your future self will thank you come winter... trust me :)