Sometimes plants just do not do well, Joy (sorry today…). You might consider some of the key differences between your property and that of your neighbors. Crocuses do not like too much water (was your compost/peat moss mix retaining it?). Crocus tommasinianus seems to be highly reliable—and squirrel resistant. (Did you consider that: could squirrels be your nemesis??) Some folks have best luck with little sunlight, water, or nutrients. Certainly if you plant them in a lawn or tidy your plant bed by mowing or cutting off the foliage, you are not helping the crocuses; they need the foliage to thrive.
As a last resort—or best next step—you might ask your neighbors what type they have and what their “secret” to success is. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll dig up one or two corms and give you a couple to try in your conditions.
Sometimes plants just do not do well, Joy (sorry today…). You might consider some of the key differences between your property and that of your neighbors. Crocuses do not like too much water (was your compost/peat moss mix retaining it?). Crocus tommasinianus seems to be highly reliable—and squirrel resistant. (Did you consider that: could squirrels be your nemesis??) Some folks have best luck with little sunlight, water, or nutrients. Certainly if you plant them in a lawn or tidy your plant bed by mowing or cutting off the foliage, you are not helping the crocuses; they need the foliage to thrive.
As a last resort—or best next step—you might ask your neighbors what type they have and what their “secret” to success is. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll dig up one or two corms and give you a couple to try in your conditions.
We hope this helps, even a little.