Crocuses

It Must be Spring!

Spring crocus, C. chrysanthus.

Dutch crocus bear large blossoms.

Striped Beauty, a Dutch hybrid crocus.

Flowers open to reveal a ruffled golden stigma.

A lawn planted with crocus.

Snow crocus are aptly named.

Blue & white Dutch crocuses.

Don't cut off their grassy foliage until it turns yellow.

A colony of Dutch yellow crocus.

Crocus flowers have 6 cupped petals.

Snow crocus.

Early Gold snow crocus

Fall foliage helps protects overwintering crocus from critters and the weather.

Common Name: Snow, Dutch & Saffron crocus
Botanical Name: Crocus
Form: short upright vase
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocus
Species: chrysanthus & vernus & sativus
Plant Type: spring flowering bulb, herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: up to 6 inches
Hardiness Zone: 4 to
Foliage: basal origin from corm, grass-like, linear, up to 18 cm long by 1-3 mm wide
Flowers: fragrant, one per corm, Feb & March, white, purples, oranges, yellows, 3 petals, 3 sepals, 3 stamens and one style with three golden stigmas attached
Fruit: insignificant small brown capsule
Stems: underground
Exposure: full sun to light shade
Soil: well-drained, sandy, rocky
Uses: containers, borders, small gardens, woodlands, in lawns, rock gardens
Attracts: bees & other early pollinators
Invasive Tendencies: their naturalizing tendencies is appreciated by gardeners
Tolerates: drought, deer, black walnuts
Propagation: seeds, cormels
Problems: rodents, squirrels, slugs, snails
Comments:
Crocuses are always a welcome sight as their pretty cupped flowers are a sure sign that spring is on its way. It’s not just people that appreciate these cheery harbingers of spring, but bees do too. They need that early pollen and nectar, and don’t be surprised to see bumble bees sleep overnight in their closed blossoms.

Crocus flowers are simple and beautiful with have six cupped petals that surround bright yellow stamens. Since they flower so early in the year, their close their flowers to protect themselves from the bad weather, but they open on sunny days.

Crocus grow from small round corms that are flat on the top and at the bottom. Their slender, grass-like, linear green leaves linger for a few weeks after the flowers have faded, then they wither and die. Don’t cut them off when they are still green as it deprives them of food for next year’s blossoms.

Numerous Species: There are over 100 crocus species and not all of them flower in the spring. Crocus speciosus bears 6 violet-blue petals that fade to white at the centre. Their violet veins resemble stripes that converge in the centre where there’s bright orange stamens.

Snow crocus, Crocus chrysanthus: They are aptly named as their pretty, fragrant yellow goblet shaped flowers emerge when snow is still on the ground in February and March, 2 weeks before Dutch crocus blossom. Outside petals often bear maroon markings. Many cultivars and varieties exist. Some have vein striped petals, while others have petals with a different colour at their base or stripes on the outside of the petals. Originates from Europe, Bulgaria and Turkey. USDA growing zones 3 to 9.

Dutch crocus, Crocus vernus, bear one large fragrant flower per corm and blossom in March and April, which is about two weeks after the snow crocus varieties (C. chrysanthus). Their grass-like leaves grow up to 6 inches in length and have a distinctive white stripe along their centres. Zones 3 to 8. There are many varieties and cultivars available. Petals can be one colour or be striped with colourful veins. There are many beautiful Dutch crocus varieties available. Dutch crocuses originated from the mountainous areas in Europe. USDA growing zones 3 to 9.

Saffron crocus, Crocus sativus: This crocus species just happens to produce one of the most expensive spices in the world - saffron, and you can grow them in your own garden! Their orange string-like stigma strands are used as a spice and as a dye. Since each flower only produces three stigmas, many corms are needed to get a decent amount. Saffron crocus flowers have violet petals with deep purple bases and blue veins. Unlike most crocus, they flower in September and October. Originates from Greece and Iran. USDA growing zones 6 to 9.

Planting & Care:
In the autumn, select an area in full sun with soil that drains well. Plant corms about 3 to 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart, flat side down with the tiny, pointed end up.

Crocus multiply over time as the corms develop baby corms (cormels) at their base. This makes them ideal to naturalize into sweeping drifts for dramatic displays. They are also suitable to plant in lawns. Wait to mow the lawn until the crocus leaves yellow, which is about 6 weeks after they blossom.