LADY BUG: SUNSHINE HAS NURTURES BRIGHT COLORS OF FLOWERING BLOOMS

Warm sunshine of late February has brought out the bright colors of spring flowering bulbs. Bright little spots of yellow crocus are peeping out to tell us that other varieties of crocus and their friends, the minor bulbs, are on the way.

Ours has been a mild winter in comparison with some. Many gardeners were concerned because their spring flowering bulbs were sending up foliage, and then the seven-degree temperature hit and there was cold weather for more than a week.

As a rule, spring flowering bulbs are hardy bulbs. These bulbs are planted in the fall, generally before the first cold weather. They are equipped to endure the cold winter months because food for their complete growth cycle is stored inside the bulbs. Also, they can be left in the ground, where they will multiply and reward you with beautiful flowers in the springtime after the barren winter.

The lovely crocus have heralded the end of winter since antiquity. These plucky favorites are best known for poking their heads through the snow. They are native to the Mediterranean region, and come in yellow, purple, striped and pure white. Eighty varieties of crocus are known to be cultivated in this country.

Most gardeners are familiar with Dutch hybrid crocus, the large early spring bloomers, but another lesser known group called specie crocus is smaller and bloom earlier. In fact, they sometimes send up flowers at ground level on tiny stalks with delicate green and white grass-like foliage, which becomes almost insignificant during the two weeks of bloom.

Like all spring flowering bulbs, their foliage should not be cut, but allowed to take in food during the dying process. This will insure flowers next year.

Possibly the earliest of the smaller blooms, sometimes these are known as snow crocus, and display a lilac-blue delicate flower. Our back yard used to be filled with these perky little fellows, which were spread through seeds or bulbs through the years.

Close on the heels of the snow crocus come the nodding green tipped bells of that old stand-by, the snowflake. For some unknown reason snowflakes have lost favor in modern times, but in grandmother's era there were often rows of them planted along walkways.

Snowdrops are among the earliest of spring bulbs, beginning to bloom in early February, or even January in some seasons. The white, three-petaled flowers droop on the stem, which rises above the new, short leaves. There is a double form sometimes available, but all varieties are white. All of these flower 4 to 6 inches high.

Winter aconite produces a yellow buttercup-like flower above a circle of green leaves. Once established it will produce seeds and reseed in the area. For best multiplication, it should be planted in an area that is not disturbed by cultivation.

Muscari are fragrant as they are colorful. Known by their common name, grape hyacinths, they bloom in both blue and white and hold their place in the garden for up to four weeks. Most grow to 7 inches tall, and produce spikes of rounded closed blooms. They spread at will both by seeding and division. It makes a long-lasting cut flower for delicate spring bouquets.

Siberian squill or scilla grow about 6 inches tall with small spikes of drooping flowers. Colors are primarily blue or white. The time of flowering varies with spring weather and location.

Striped squill or puschikinia is not a scilla although the plant looks similar. Some species of this plant are available in blue, pink and lavender.

Glory of the snow, or chinodoxa, is also very early. The small flowers are similar to Siberian squill, have up-facing blooms, brilliant blue with white centers and should be planted in quantity.

Dwarf narcissi are a favorite of ours for very good reasons. They are easy to grow and reproduce rapidly. Their short stature suits the confines of a small garden. Unlike big daffodils, their foliage is rather inconspicuous. Little Tete-a-tete featuring buttercup yellow flowers is eye-catching.

Iris Danfodiae, with fragrant clear yellow flowers, open up in February and grow just 3 to 4 inches tall. Like most iris Danfodias they like it dry during summer months. Iris Regiculata in blue is the companion to Danfodia.

Although these minor bulbs are not as startling as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths, they are not as expensive and planted in large quantities in the garden will make quite a springtime show on their own.

~Mary Blue is a resident of Cape Girardeau and an avid gardener.