VARIETY IN SPRING FLOWERS 5 



some beautiful species crocus, and then of certain of the larger 

 type knouTi as florists' crocus. 



Crocus korolkowi is a very early flower, low, small, bright 

 yellow with brownish outer color. Crocus Sieberi is a clear 

 lavender. Crocus susianus, bright yellow, and Crocus Tommasin- 

 ianus, in spite of its fearsome adjective, is a beauty of slender- 

 form and of a delightful tone of clearest lavender. This crocus 

 I grow among snowdrops. It blooms with them and the little 

 white and lavender spring flowers together are a welcome sight. 

 WTiy is it that colored flowers in April are surprising as well as 

 lovely? Perhaps because in our cold climate the first green of 

 the grass is all that we expect. When 



. . . fades the last long streak of snow, 



that green in itself gives us the glow of pleasiu-e which is hope. 

 And when, breaking upon this brilliant green, appear these 

 small and starry flowers, our cup of joy in spring runs over: we 

 feel spring more than a promise. It is a fulfillment. 



Leaving the species crocus, let me suggest a grouping of the 

 large named varieties which has been most successful with us. 

 In their order as they lie, rising among the dark foliage of 

 mj-rtle (Vinca minor), they are these: Pallas, Tilly Koenen, 

 Julia Gulp, Mikado, Pallas once more, Ovidius, and among these 

 a little, say one eighth as much of the crocus known as "largest 

 golden yellow," but only in one loose group or drift. Among 

 the lavenders, whites and purples of this group the yellow is a 

 high light. I remember someone saying to me, as we looked 

 upon these cups of color and of light, "This reminds me of 

 nothing quite so much as of the effect of the prettiest possible 

 French hat ! " A feminine remark, you say? Yes, but remember 

 there is nothing serious about a crocus. It is one of the most 

 daring and coquettish flowers we have. It has the two great 



