In the beginning......

Crocus leonidii X 'Early Gold' A wonderful, Hardy, Early and floriferous hybrid of  C. angustifolius and C. reticulatus So is this the true start of the growing season? The first Crocus has appeared above ground. I suppose it's safe to call this one a winter bloomer and say it's still not spring yet. But honestly this winter has been a weird one, Phenology is defined by the Mirriam-Webster dictionary as: a branch of science dealing with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena (such as bird migration or plant flowering).  So in the interest of providing some sort of phenological data, last year this particular bulb wasn't full open until Feburary 23rd. which is almost a full month away. I've noticed quite a bit of stuff being extra early this year, in fact lot's and lot's of Fritillaria's are in bud with many more breaking ground. So the Flower storm is beginning in earnest now and it doesn't surprise me with how mild this winter has been. My only fear now is that winter doesn't arrive with a vengance in Feburary or March as has happened in Winters past.  So get ready for the flower storm and pray for mild weather.  Today it's a bit rainy and in the 50's.  Cheers,  Mark