Our parish established The Thompson Memorial Crocus Lawn in 2020 with the planting of 10,000 crocus bulbs in our historic churchyard. Their spring blossoms remind us of a treasured community event, a beloved and recently deceased parish member, and the yearly promise of Resurrection.
The Garden Market and Diane Thompson’s legacy
Since 1997, our parish blooms with a festive Garden Market. The two-day May event features spring flowers, vegetable plants, delectable treats, and 75+ garden and craft vendors. Over 6,000 visitors from the community and tristate area (Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware) enjoy this yearly fundraising event celebrating God’s creation. The event gives us a yearly opportunity to give church tours and highlight our ministries.
The sudden death of Garden Market founder and parishioner Diane Thompson in February 2020 left parishioners reeling. Thompson, a vibrant 80-year-old, died during a horseback riding excursion. Her zest for living, love for God, the church, and community—and her special love of flowers—catalyzed the Garden Market’s inception in 1997 and its continued success.
Grappling with the loss of Diane and, at the same time, dealing with the pandemic’s ramifications for the parish and community, we struggled in 2020
to maintain our optimism. As a healthy antidote for a difficult time, the Rector’s wife, Karen Schaeffer, along with parish leadership, decided to create the Thompson Memorial Crocus Lawn as a tribute to Diane.
The church pulls together to remember Diane
In response, parishioners eagerly ordered bulbs (100 bulbs for $12.00), and as a result, the parish received 10,000 bulbs to plant! In late October of 2020, over 65 parishioners and community members had a parish-wide planting day to establish the lawn. A year later, we planted an additional 6,000 bulbs.
Why crocus?
Why crocus? They are a harbinger of spring—and symbolize youthfulness, cheerfulness and remind us of Resurrection.
Crocus tommasinianus, often called “Tommies,” thrives in well-drained soil and tolerates both sun and shade. Squirrel- and deer-resistant, they flourish in naturalized lawns untreated for weeds. They bloom for three to six weeks in late February and early March—and promise a purple bloom during the Lenten season as their color varies from pale lavender to deep reddish purple with a white throat.
Crocuses are one of the first pollen sources available to bees in early to mid-spring, as the flower’s aroma attracts bees and native pollinators alike. Thompson was a bee survival advocate, so this environmentally friendly plant became the ideal selection for the crocus lawn.
According to St. Mary Anne’s retired rector, the Rev. John Schaeffer, the Thompson Memorial Crocus Lawn has become “a beautiful yearly Lenten reminder of the Easter Resurrection.” Schaeffer believes it is “just what the parish and community needed after such a difficult time.”