Spring Bulbs for Schools Trends

Take a closer look at the daffodil and crocus flowering dates between 2006 – 2010.

Look for similarities and differences between each flower.

Average Crocus flowering dates Q: Did the crocus open later some years than others?

Crocus flowering dates… A: Yes they did open later some years than others. In 2007 & 2008 they flowered early and 2006, 2009 & 2010 they flowered late.

Let’s study the daffodil flowering dates… Q: Did the daffodils open later some years than others? Which were early? Which were late?

Let’s study the daffodil flowering dates… A: Yes they did open later some years than others was the latest and 2008 was the earliest.

Q: Can you see any similarities?

A: Yes both flowers were early in 2008 and late in 2006.

Q: Can you see any differences?

A: Yes the crocus opened later in 2009 than 2010.

Why do you think the daffodil & crocus react differently?

the daffodil is more sensitive to sunshine…. …and the crocus is more sensitive to temperature – and vulnerable to frost damage. In previous years we found that…

We think this is because the daffodil flower spends a lot of time above the ground before it opens …

whereas the crocus forms beneath the ground then opens quickly.

All 3 of these factors affect flowering times. Rainfall?Temperature?Sunshine?

Take a closer look at the flowering times again and decide which these factors most effect each flower. Rainfall?Temperature?Sunshine?

Let’s compare daffodil flowering with the amount of sunshine… Generally, do the daffodils open early when there is lots of sunshine? And later when there is less sunshine? Does the flowering date get earlier as the amount of sunshine increases?

Let’s compare daffodil flowering with the amount of sunshine… Generally, do daffodils open early when there is lots of sunshine? And later when there is less sunshine? Does the flowering date get earlier as the amount of sunshine increases? Trend: Generally the daffodils open earlier as the amount of sunshine increases.

Let’s compare daffodil flowering with temperature… Generally, do the daffodils open early when it is a warm spring? And later when it is a cold spring? Does the flowering date get earlier as the temperature increases?

Let’s compare daffodil flowering with temperature… Generally, do the daffodils open early when it is a warm spring? And later when it is a cold spring? Does the flowering date get earlier as the temperature increases? Not always, in 2007 it was warmer than in 2008 but the flowers came earlier in The daffodil is affected much more by the amount of sun.

Let’s compare crocus flowering with the amount of sunshine… Generally, do the crocus open early when there is lots of sunshine? And later when there is less sunshine? Does the flowering date get earlier as the amount of sunshine increases?

Let’s compare crocus flowering with the amount of sunshine… Generally, do the crocus open early when there is lots of sunshine? And later when there is less sunshine? Does the flowering date get earlier as the amount of sunshine increases? Not always. Sunshine makes the flowers open earlier but other factors must be important too.

Let’s compare crocus flowering with temperature… Generally, does the crocus open early when it is a warm spring? And later when it is a cold spring? Does the flowering date get earlier as the temperature increases?

Let’s compare crocus flowering with temperature… Generally, does the crocus open early when it is a warm spring? And later when it is a cold spring? Does the flowering date get earlier as the temperature increases? Generally yes, but in 2009 they came much later than in 2006 even though the average temp was similar, this is because we had lots of frost in 2009.

Now study the data for yourself! Visit

Study what happened in different schools … See if the flowers opened late in schools that recorded cold weather

Or download the spreadsheet to: Look for trends between different locations in Wales. Make graphs & frequency charts or calculate the mean.

What should you do with your bulbs now? If you are keeping your bulbs in school or taking them home go to the website to download the bulb care leaflet.

Congratulations on completing this task! You really are Super Scientists! Bye Bulb Buddies.