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#bioPGH Blog: Snow Crocus
A resource of Biophilia: Pittsburgh, #bioPGH is a weekly blog and social media series that aims to encourage both children and adults to reconnect with nature and enjoy what each of our distinctive seasons has to offer. From the best times to plant seasonal flora and enjoy their peak blooms, to astronomical events and creatures to keep an eye and ear out for, Phipps will keep you in the know with what’s going on in our environment!
Although we’ve been graced with a winter filled with more foliage than snowfall, the eagerness for spring to arrive has just been heightened by the appearance of snow crocus blossoms. These perennials are a member of the iris family and one of the earliest of the spring blooming bulbs. In many cases these bulbs do not even wait for the snow to recede before shooting their buds through the soil. Originally native to Southern Europe and Asia, these flowers are now a common sight across Pennsylvania and vary in coloration from violet to saffron yellow, for which the flower was named. While we may be used to associating crocuses with spring time, there are actually around 80 different species of crocuses, 30 of which have been cultivated by people, whose bloom times can vary year round. Did you know the world’s most expensive spice comes from a crocus flower? The spice saffron comes from the red-orange stigmas of the fall blooming purple petalled crocus, Crocus sativus, which is harvested by hand in the midmorning of sunny days during the fall. While recipes calling for saffron only use a few strands of the pricey spice, in order to acquire enough saffron to form a single ounce, approximately 4,000 flowers must be harvested by hand!
Connecting to the Outdoors Tip: Even with the fresh blanketing of snow, crocuses are continuing to shoot their buds through the soil and beginning to bloom. Keep an eye out for bright yellow, purple, pink and white blossoms sitting just above the surface of the snow. These early blooming bulbs present a very unique photo opportunity for photographers of all skill levels as they provide a vibrant patch of color against the otherwise monochromatic backdrop of winter. So consider heading outdoors with your camera or phone to snap some pictures of these colorful crocus bouquets, or with a sketchbook to draw the scene. If it’s too cold to draw outside, consider taking a few pictures and then recreating the scene inside using the medium of your choosing (perfect for all ages!). If you would like to bring some springtime inside this time of year, consider crafting a bulb vase for crocus bulbs out of recycled baby food, condiment or candle jars. This simple craft allows you to bring your favorite bulbs inside to enjoy, doesn’t require any soil and allows you to easily watch the plant grow, a perfect planting activity to get little ones excited for spring!
Continue the Conversation: Share your nature discoveries with our community by posting to Twitter and Instagram with hashtag #bioPGH, and R.S.V.P. to attend our next Biophilia: Pittsburgh meeting.
Additional Resources:
Crocuses - The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Crocus - Better Homes and Gardens
Garden Q&A - The New York Times
DIY Baby Food Jar Vases - Create Oh La La
Crocus Bulbs - Amazon.com
