Peter Dowdall: How to make the most of crocus displays

These flowers are seen as nature’s way of reassuring us that warmer days are on their way In some cultures, they represent cheerfulness and gladness

Symbolically, crocuses have long been associated with themes of youthfulness, rebirth, and joy. File picture

Whether you plant them in drifts through a wildflower meadow, tuck them into garden beds, or scatter them through a lawn, crocuses are among the easiest and most rewarding spring flowers to grow. 

They provide a vital early food source for pollinators, lift our spirits after the long winter months, and, when planted in the right conditions, will return year after year with little effort.