It’s a pretty phrase, and it conveys the dreamy quality of 4,000 tiny crocus scattered over the turf in the Campsey-Stauffer Gateway Garden. Snow crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) are an extra-small, delicate and early species of this hardy little bulb. “Tommies” are a good choice for planting in large quantities for this effect, because they are less appealing to squirrels than some of the other crocus species. In the photo below, they accent “Sprouting Seeds” by sculptor Troy Corliss, a gift to the Garden from the late Lauretta M. Dennis, D.V. M.

These lawn crocus were planted in the fall right after the gardeners had used a core aerator to punch thousands of little holes in the turf. (Core aeration is one of the best things you can do to maintain the quality of a lawn). Several patient volunteers  dropped the bulbs in, usually one per hole, and covered them by replacing the little cylinder of sod punched out by the aerator. It was a very laborious process, but well worth it! 

It’s best to delay mowing for several weeks after the flowers fade to give the threadlike leaves a chance to feed the bulbs for next year. They blend in with the turf and can be mowed right along with it.

Posted by Ann McCulloh