Although this has been a moderate winter (by Chicago standards), I’m looking forward to spring. The trees are still leafless and the ground is still frozen, but my trusty cold frame has provided me with greenery and life during this otherwise drab and dreary time.
My cold frame is packed with perennials and shrubs that are tough but probably not sufficiently hardy to survive on a Chicago rooftop through winter (zone 3 conditions). Many still look great, and a few are still flowering. The ‘Cal-Poly’ rose has two fluffy flowers. Both the creeping and upright rosemary are in bloom. And now the spring bulbs have joined them. Crocus ‘Snowbunting’ opened its first bud yesterday in pot 109. Lots of bulbs were potted up in autumn to use as demos for the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Hardy Bulbs course starting on March 30. However, I can’t slow them down.
The mild temps with the bright sun have started the procession of spring bulbs. All crocuses are up and green. Snowdrops are beginning to dangle their buds. Tulips and alliums are poking out the ground. Fortunately for the students, you can learn as much from foliage and spent flowers as from plants in peak bloom. [How’s that for cognitive dissonance.]
The Crocus chrysanthus in pot 109 are supposed to be ‘Snowbunting’ but they look like a wishy washy ‘Prince Claus’ or ‘Ladykiller’. Regardless they are the most outstanding flowers of the week. It’s time for Old Man Winter to go, but thanks to crocuses and the cold frame I’ve been able to keep my sanity.
