Spring is in the air!
Snowdrops are earlier, followed by crocuses of different colours.
In this picture are snowdrops, which typically come out in late January to early February. These are in the background of a photo taken by Elaine McCabe in Altens, Aberdeen. On the left is a purple crocus and on the right are white crocuses. These flowers always herald the arrival of spring - with the famous daffodils to come!
Wikipedia has this to say: 'The crocus has been known throughout recorded history, mainly as the source of saffron. Saffron is obtained from the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, an autumn-blooming species. It is valued as a spice and dyestuff, and is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Iran is the center of saffron production.
Crocuses are native to woodland, scrub, and meadows from sea level to alpine tundra from the Mediterranean, through North Africa, central and southern Europe, the islands of the Aegean, the Middle East and across Central Asia to Xinjiang in western China. Crocuses may be propagated from seed or from daughter cormels formed on the corm, that eventually produce mature plants. They arrived in Europe from Turkey in the 16th century and became valued as an ornamental flowering plant.'
