Crocus is one of the very first flowers that bloom in our garden in the spring. These flowers are the first harbingers that it is time to wake up from hibernation and work on the garden.
The great German philosopher, poet and naturalist Goethe called crocuses spring flowers of joy. Probably because after a harsh winter they are the first harbingers of the awakening of nature.
Since ancient times, crocuses have been grown in Assyria, India and Egypt. The ancient Greeks considered crocus a symbol of happiness, the flower of the goddess of the morning dawn Aurora.
Now crocuses are cultivated as a spicy, dye, medicinal and ornamental plant. Crocus is most widely used because of its valuable product (stigma), which is used in cooking as a seasoning for dishes. The stigma contains the coloring agents croquin and saffron, as well as essential oil with a pleasant smell and taste.
Saffron was known not only as a fragrant agent, as a dye for fabric, as an exquisite seasoning used in royal kitchens, but also as a precious medicine. Descriptions of the medicinal properties of saffron are in Chinese medical books dating back to 2600 BC and in Egyptian texts dating back to 1500 BC.
There are many types of crocuses in nature, among which are yellow, bright blue with purple stripes, and pinkish. The British believe that admiring crocuses sets a romantic mood, instills a desire for travel and noble deeds.
It is recommended to admire the spring purple crocuses more often. This species is especially popular in Great Britain - the Royal Horticultural Society respects it very much not only for the beauty of its forms, but also for its enviable vitality.
Crocus is a beautiful flower! Have a bright holiday! May an angel guard your home and fill your heart with peace! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you too, Irina.
DeleteIhanat krookukset. Ne ovat minun suosikkejani.
ReplyDeleteI love them as well, Anemone.
DeleteBeautiful photos, Nadezda! Crocuses are definitely a sign that winter is over. Goethe was absolutely right! Thanks for all the info about crocuses. I have tried growing saffron crocuses here, but my winters were probably too cold for them.
ReplyDeleteWeather if very changeable now, Marit. Last winter was not too cold and my crocuses survived well.
DeleteGoethe knew what he was talking about. Crocuses ARE the spring flowers of joy and they are everywhere here. Makes me happy to walk down the street. And the woodlands are coming alive too. We saw our first Trout Lilies on Sunday. Happy days!
ReplyDeleteOh, your first trout lilies are coming, it's so nice spring in your place. David.
DeleteBellas flores. Me gusta el azafrán. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteGracias, J.P. un beso!
DeleteI love it. It is the first brave bloomer of spring. Thank you so much for your nice blog and photos. Here they pop up in parks, roadside grass, even between tram tracks in Amsterdam. In the Netherlands, it’s actually the local city services (“gemeente”) who plant thousands of crocus bulbs every autumn. You’ll find them popping up in perfectly timed rows in the grass strips along roads or around roundabouts — very Dutch: organized and efficient springtime!
ReplyDeleteThank you again for your blog!
I can imagine what the beauty is in Amsterdam, Aritha. Have a nice time in spring!
DeleteBoa Noite de quarta-feira. Com muita paz e saúde. Flores maravilhosas. Confesso que nunca vi, aqui no Brasil. Estamos no outono.
ReplyDeleteI know that autumn is in Brazil now. Glad you liked crocuses, Luiz.
DeleteEs muy bonita la flor del azafrán, así como sus hebras son muy codiciadas como condimento alimentario. En España que es el segundo productor tras Irán, se está pagando el kilo de hebras, según la calidad, entre 3500 euros y 6000.
ReplyDeleteEsta planta es difícil verla en jardines particulares, sobre todo en el Sur del país.
Un abrazo, Esperanza.
Vaya, ¿qué precios tiene el azafrán en España, Manuel? No sabía que fuese tan valorado en el mundo. Gracias.
DeleteCrocus flowers are so colorful and wonderful, unfortunately I have never seen them in person, only in pictures.
ReplyDeleteAll the photos are beautiful, like the one with the bee, but I especially loved the first one, it is fantastic.
I hope you get better soon.
Have a great weekend.
Greetings and all the best
Maria, it's amazing that the bees are working so early in the spring. Only a few warm days woke them up. I'm glad you liked my photos.
DeleteSon preciosos, yo los tengo de varios colores en el jardín. Me alegra que esté llegando la primavera a tu jardín. Feliz fin de semana.
ReplyDeleteSí, Teresa, la primavera está llegando poco a poco a mi jardín. Un abrazo.
DeleteDo you grow the yellow ones that the birds love to peck?
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't. I have purple and white crocuses, Sue.
DeleteCrocuses have a unique charm - especially the purple ones!
ReplyDeleteThese beautiful flowers are a wonderful announcement of the long-awaited spring ;-))
Best wishes!
Anita
Thank you Anita, I love them as well.
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