Signs of Spring Virtual Tour Perennial Garden

Daffodils Low maintenance, hardy perennial. Toxic to consume, so they are deer-resistant and rodent-proof. Squirrels won't even eat the . After the dies, leave the leaves until they turn yellow or else there won’t be the next year - the leaves are gathering energy for the ’s dormant stage. If you cut your daffodils, don’t put them in a vase with any other flowers! The cut stem secretes a fluid that promotes wilting in other flowers.

Star of Bethlehem A winter bulb belonging to the Lily family, similar to wild garlic, native to Mediterranean region. Pretty patches of white star-shaped flowers, these grow aggressively. Be careful, since they can displace native .

Crocus Perennial of the Iris family. Native from the Alps to North Africa to western China, thriving from sea level to alpine tundra. One of spring’s earliest bloomers, appearing at the end of winter. Symbol of youth and cheer. Crocus sativus is the source of saffron. It takes about 70,000 flowers to make a pound of saffron, harvested from the stigma of the flower. Saffron is the most expensive spice by weight.

Come visit Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden! ​ ​ 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301 All photos by Puiyan Taglianetti for Snug Harbor.

Signs of Spring Virtual Tour Perennial Garden Edgeworthia Native to southwest China, Japan, and Nepal. The inner bark has been used to make paper. This is why it’s also known as paper bush! The tiny tubular flowers have no petals, and grow in dense umbles of 40 flowers. Flower buds appear in late summer, providing a reminder of the coming spring throughout winter. Buds may begin to bloom in winter, when few other flowers can compete. Typically, at Snug Harbor, we won’t smell the buds’ beautiful fragrance until early spring.

Photinia Part of the Rosaceae family, and related to the apple! Berries form in large quantities, ripening in the fall and remaining decorative through winter. Using one of nature’s defence mechanisms, the flower bud is red to deter organisms from eating the fruit until the seeds are fully formed. Then the fruits serve as a winter food source for birds, who then return the favor by excreting the plant’s seeds in new places.

Siberian Squill siberica is a member of the ​ family, native to southwestern Russia through Turkey. No, it’s not from Siberia! A definite sign of spring, bluebell-like flowers emerge in late winter to early spring. Siberian Squill plants well in grass and form large colonies which go dormant by the time your grass comes back to life.

Come visit Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden! ​ ​ 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301 All photos by Puiyan Taglianetti for Snug Harbor.