Crocus Poll - Your top 5

[David Nicholson]

It's pronounced quite differently in various parts of the UK too Jim. In some places the first syllable can be pronounced 'Eden', or 'Edan' or 'Edn', or 'Edin' all with a 'hard' initial 'E'. The second syllable is sometimes 'brhu' or 'burra', 'boora'. So you see we aren't consistent either!

[Maggi Young]

The city of my birth is often called, simply, " Embra " 

[mark smyth]

Much better than Edin-burrow

[Anthony Darby]

Arggh Mark. Never, ever that! Ed-in-bruh is how most of us say it, or, perhaps, -burruh?

[mark smyth]

I dont say that. It's what North Americans call it

[Maggi Young]

I dont say that. It's what North Americans call it

Indeed they do, or sometimes ....Eddinberg...... No matter, we know what they  mean 

[Jim McKenney]

Just to add a little more useless information! Edinburgh means 'fortification at Eidyn'. Just like taxonomists place name experts have differing views. Some think the 'Eidyn' bit refers 'Edwin's fort', Edwin being King of Northumbria from 617 to 633. Others say the the name is recorded before his time. In c1180 a document records the name of what is now Edinburgh as 'Edenburge'

This only goes to prove that we North Americans are probably pronouncing it correctly when we say Edin-burrow. As Arthur points out, the Ed is King Edwin and the place is where he holed-up. Just apply a bit of folk etymology and you'll be able to imagine Ed in his burrow. Things might have ended differently if he had stayed holed up there and not gone forth to the Battle of Hatfield Chase. 

I'm pretty sure the folks in Edinburgh, Texas  pronounce it Eddinberg: don't mess with Texas!

[Maggi Young]

don't mess with Texas!

We Scots are afraid of no one... probably often to our cost,     but the motto, nemo me impune lacessit.... freely translated to the vernacular as "wha daur meddle wi' me"  ( who dares to meddle with me?) is well chosen, I think.

(This motto of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the Scottish chivalrous order, is also that of the British Army regiments The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Scots Guards and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. It was also the motto of several former units of the British Army, including the Royal Scots, Royal Scots Greys, Royal Highland Fusiliers and Black Watch, some of which went on to be amalgamated to form the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006. Armed forces units elsewhere have also adopted this historic motto, including in Australia, the Victoria Scottish Regiment, which subsequently became 5th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment and is now one of the rifle companies of 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment. The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces, also bears this motto.  )

[Jim McKenney]

As you say, Maggi, there's often a clue...

[Anthony Darby]

How about 'Auld Reekie'? Get yer gums around that Jim.

[Janis Ruksans]

However I do remember Janis showing a picture of second generation seedlings raised from "gotoburgensis" and they were beautiful - mine have never set any seed but that is the reason I will hang on to them.

Oh Ian, how beautiful can be C. x gotoburgensis you can see on following pictures. Unfortunately only #04 I have by myself.
#05,06 is named by its raiser 'Henrik' - unfortunately it almost doesn't increase and after many years there are only 3 or 4 corms. Of course - they all are F-2.
Janis

[ashley]

Although I usually prefer species, these are astonishingly beautiful - especially the last one. 

Many thanks Jānis for all the fine crocus pictures and information you are posting.

[Martin Baxendale]

WOW!!!       05/06 is a real beauty. What a shame it doesn't increase much.

[Janis Ruksans]

WOW!!!       05/06 is a real beauty. What a shame it doesn't increase much.

My own favourite is 02/03 and 05/06 as second choice
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Dear friends,
I just got following mail from my Lithuanian friend with picture attached:
"Two year ago I bought "white flowering form" of Crocus vitellinus. I was not sure, that that is true C. vitellinus because never heard about C. vitellinus with white flowers. I though that they are possible the plants of hybrid origin, but was surprised they was really C. vitellinus with specific leaves and all signs of true species. They are exclusively beautiful plants in flowering. I send you a picture. Have you any information about this form existing."
Have you some idea? I never saw such vitellinus.
Janis