The crocus plant has over 80 species, about 30 of which are raised commercially. The most commonly planted crocus is the Dutch Crocus, also known as the crocus vernus, which also has the largest bloom. Other common species of crocus are crocus chrysanthus, which is one of the first to bloom in late winter or early spring, crocus sieberi, which is also fairly short and blooms very early, and the crocus tommasinianus, another early bloomer that comes in various shades of purple.

Crocuses can be planted both indoors and outdoors, in either flower beds, borders or containers. Crocuses do well with full exposure to sun and can grow in poor to average soils, if the soil is well drained.

When planting crocuses outdoors, the best time to plant bulbs is in the fall when the weather is cool. It is also advisable to plant them where there will be little to no disturbance throughout the winter, and plant them away from small animals that might take them as food, such as squirrels, mice and rabbits. A protected, sunny flowerbed is preferable. Be sure to plant your crocus bulbs under half an inch of soil in shallow holes. Grass cuttings, leaves and straw make an excellent mulch and should be used while growing the plants. The bulbs should also be watered throughout the winter when you are in a snowless area. If there is snow in your area, then water the crocuses until the first snowfall arrives. Shoots should become noticeable when the snow cover melts or in the early spring. Bloom times are in the early spring to early fall.

When planting indoors, be sure to plant the bulbs immediately in small pots containing a layer of small stones or gravel on the bottom, followed by sterile potting soil within an inch and a half of the top. Make sure you plant the bulbs with pointed end up, an inch apart then cover with the soil. The next step is to water the bulb thoroughly and allow the pot to drain. Place the pots in a cold dark place, about 45 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit, for six weeks and check once a week for roots growing and appearing through the drain holes. Once the roots establish themselves, it is time to move the bulbs to a sunny place at room temperature. In three weeks the crocus blooms should appear.

Whether you grow them indoors or outdoors, the crocus will make a lovely addition to your home and/or garden.

Azaleas are a large, diverse group of flowering shrubs with single and double blooms in many shades of white, purple, red, pink or orange. Most bloom from early to late spring with a few extending later into the growing season.

To enjoy the beauty of azaleas at your own home, begin by choosing a variety that is well adapted to your garden environment and climate.

“Check with your local nursery, home center or cooperative extension service to see what they recommend based on your region of the country,” says Bayer Advanced™ Garden Expert Lance Walheim, who wrote the best-selling book “Roses for Dummies” and is a regular contributor to Sunset magazine. He thinks choosing the right types and varieties for your area is the first step to success. “Then choose a consistent color theme as opposed to the Crayola Crayon approach of mixing them up.”

Here are a few important tips for planting azaleas:

• Choose a planting site with light shade (some varieties can take some sun) and well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter;

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. The top of the root ball should be slightly above the top of the surrounding soil;

• Lift the container off the plant and cut or loosen any matted roots off the root ball;

• After planting, apply a thick layer of organic mulch and keep soil slightly moist, never letting the plants dry out completely.

Azaleas can last for decades in your yard with proper watering and preventive measures to ward off destructive insects and diseases. Bayer Advanced Dual Protection Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Insect & Disease Control protects against aphids, Japanese beetles, lace bugs and leaf beetles while controlling diseases such as leaf spot, powdery mildew and rust. One application protects for up to six weeks and is applied as a drench-so no spraying. Just measure, mix and pour-it’s that easy to protect your investment and keep your azaleas beautiful year-round.