How pretty! A friend recently gave me some clumps of these and she just called them Tommies. I am glad to now know their 'real' name.

Sue

How pretty!I especially love that last pic.

Karen

I just planted those last fall. They have not shown up yet in my zone. There is more than 1 variety but Ruby Giant is the one I bought. IÂm really looking forward to it after seeing your pictures!

The flowers don't last long but I have gotten so much pleasure from these little guys. They are the first flowers to bloom in my garden every year and I love the color. The species typically has pale lavender flowers but in my opinion the selection 'Ruby Giant' is much better.

BTW to see the photos full size (and the last one is especially worth it) just click on the photo, it will take you to Flickr and then click on "all sizes".

johnnieb- Those are sensational! I agree with Karen, that last pic is off the charts! It looks like it should be enlarged and hung on the wall!!! Verrrry nice!

BTW Are the Cherry trees blooming there in DC yet? I talked to a friend that is planning to drive up this Saturday just to see them.

Thanks for sharing the Tommies!

-Frank

Gorgeous!

Tommies will spread and naturalize in a lawn with little effort from you. You can separate all those bulbs after bloom is finished, and replant them all over the lawn. Spread out your planting, it will fill in, in time. Because they bloom so early you won't have to delay cutting the lawn much past the end of April.

{{gwi:9517}}

I also have the ordinary pale lavender form of C. tommasinianus, and they have seeded themselves all over my garden almost to the point of being weeds. Too bad, because I don't particularly like the color! 'Ruby Giant' has been much better behaved; the bulbs multiply within the clump, but I haven't seen any seedlings popping up anywhere.