Well, this past weekend saw warm weather and then on Sunday and Monday, it turned cold. For Greensboro, yesterday, it was drain-your-car-battery cold, in the 20s. But on that warm Saturday, being outside, it was easy to see signs of spring. The hellebores and crocus were out in full swing- even though spring is a month away. The crocus in a perennial in the iris family. They are low to the ground without much evidence of a stem. The above crocus was spotted in northwest Greensboro. When the sun was shining through it, the flower looked like it was glowing. The saffron spice comes from the species Crocus Sativus and the word "crocus" is derived from the word "saffron." The above plant is not the variety that produces saffron, but it is definitely a saffron color.
In preparing this post, we learned that the crocus is protected from frost by a waxy cuticle, so we're pretty sure the plant will make it- even thought it was in the 20s on Monday eve. We'll have to go back and check on it. These are the fun things to notice when out for a walk. As you go out to get plants this spring, know that Greensboro is in the USDA's 7B hardiness zone. The crocus can grow in zones 3-8, with a preference for a cold winter- which it is getting this week!
Happy Tuesday!
For you, that's cold. Beautiful shot.
Posted by: William Kendall | Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 09:26 AM