As he checked how many billions of pounds we owe the gas company, I carefully tended my row of captives - hyacinth and crocus bulbs which are being forced to grow, against their seasonal inclinations, to flower in time (I hope) for Christmas. The first planting of crocuses looked anaemically sprightly, with significant shoots poking sturdily out of the soil. So, as they have decided to submit to my will and cooperate, I have granted them release from the darkness. Added a bit of moss to the soil to hide their naked bits, and voila:
![Crocus bulbs in an ivy teacup. Planter available from Tuckshop China. Plant up crocus bulbs in early October for flowers at Christmas](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/72/726709/pale-but-otherwise-unharmed-prisoners-emerge--L-NTPmTc.jpeg)
![Swans sprout crocuses too... Swan planter with crocus bulbs - a one off from tuckshopflowers.com](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/72/726709/pale-but-otherwise-unharmed-prisoners-emerge--L-cooosO.jpeg)
![Royal Albert teacup has a new lease of life as a planter Won't this be lovely when the flowers are in bloom?](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/72/726709/pale-but-otherwise-unharmed-prisoners-emerge--L-d7O1Ci.jpeg)
…they're ready for market on Saturday. Now I'm wishing I'd planted more up. These will be white 'Ard Shenk' crocuses in the coming weeks. Rather pretty, don't you think?