Crocus tommasinianus flowers concurrently with the Snowdrops and Winter Aconites. Another bulb bought to these shores in ancient times, this species is native to Bulgaria, Hungary and the Balkans. Sometimes called the Early Crocus or the Woodland Crocus.

 The petals vary in hue from silvery violet through to plum purple. Like E. hyemalis the sun must be upon them to open wide; the stamen seem to glow dusted with specks of golden pollen. 

 They are braving the weather in my London garden but looking a bit battered by the incessant rain. Nonetheless they have to be tough to flower this early in the year and can be relied upon to come back year after year.   

 Tip: when you plant "Tommies" in the autumn make sure they are at least three or four inches down. Squirrels love to eat the dry bulbs! They seem to lose interest in snacking on them once the bulbs become established/moist.