Early Spring Signs

Febuary is a funny month. Its been windy today but mild temperature. It blew the neighbours gate off its hinges and was rocking my fence and bird table.
Cat asked me on the phone how the crocuses were doing. I went to have a look and was amazed to see the rolled up flower buds growing up through the fine leaves.
They were not there yesterday but have grown overnight. Febuary is a slow month where the plants grow imperceptibly. The Early Spring Crocuses are starting their warm up before flowering. You have to look closely at the garden to see any signs of renewal between the fog, frost, and snow.
Not photographed yet either is the Blue Shades Polyanthus.I have been tracking their slow progress to the bud stage. One flower was almost opening but the poor light made it quite difficult to photograph.I hope for some Sunshine and blue skys to illuminate the plants.
Crocus are a genus of eighty species of perennial flowers grown in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus
Crocus takes its name from the Greek Krokos, which means Saffron or Egg Yolk. An autumn flowering crocus (Crocus Sativus) is used for the Saffron used in cooking.
They have been cultivated since the 16th Century in Holland. One of the first Art representations was the Spring Bouquet by Ambrosius Bosschaert.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AmbrosiusBosschaertbouquet.jpg
My Crocus are unnamed Dutch Crocus, and are the first of the Spring bulbs to show signs of flowering. They are the harbingers of Spring here.
Expect more photos when they actually do flower.