This delicate crocus bursts out of the snow when it appears as though winter will never let go of its cold hold. Fall is a great time to plant this perennial flower for an early spring treat! Crocuses are easy to cultivate and maintain in your garden!
A wide spectrum of colors (pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, purples, blues, and more) can be seen in these blossoms, which are all just 2 to 4 inches tall. They shine out against the dreary late-winter backdrop. In the months of February and March, many beekeepers use powerful scents to entice their colonies’ bees to leave.
Naturalizing means that crocus bulbs (officially known as “corms”) expand and return year after year with minimal care for an ever-increasing show of color in the winter garden. To make things even better for the early crocuses, squirrels, and rabbits aren’t likely to harm the tiny corms.
Crocus: A Brief History
From Central/Eastern Europe to the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, crocuses are native. Here in North America, they’ve discovered a welcoming environment where different species coexist in nearly every region. In the spring, crocuses begin blooming in February and last through March; in August and September, the stunning fall crocus blooms.
Early Crocus: Snow Crocus
Crocus chrysanthus, or Snow Crocus, is the first Crocus to bloom. After the flowers have faded, the slender, almost grass-like leaves appear, and they are ideal for planting in nooks and crannies or where they can peek out of low groundcovers. Planting them above and amongst later blooming bulbs is possible because of their early blooming time. Originally gold or golden in color, they now come in a wide range of hues thanks to selective breeding. In the early spring garden, put them tightly together so they can be seen.
Dutch Crocus Bulbs with Large, Full Blooms
The Dutch Crocus, often known as the Giant Crocus, is the next in line (Crocus vernus, C. flavus). Naturalizing in lawns, they are great for taller, 4-6-inch specimens. Until the crocus leaves have faded, do not mow your lawn! Only use organic lawn care! Approximately two weeks after the Snow Crocus, their larger flowers are available in a wide range of colors and designs.
Saffron Crocus in Full Bloom
Crocus sativus, or saffron crocus, blooms in the fall and is one of my favorite crocuses. Saffron is made from the stigmas of lavender flowers, which are petaled and have three deep red stigmas per blossom. You can plant bulbs as soon as they arrive in the fall. You may expect a show in the fall as they start to grow. You might expect a spectacular fall display in zones 6-10 if the conditions are just right.
As the world’s most costly spice, it lends its color and flavor to Spanish paella, risottos, and countless other beverages and cuisines. Saffron One pound of saffron requires 225,000 stigmas or one-quarter of a kilogram. That’s a lot of blooms if each one has three stigmas. Hand harvesting is required for each blossom. Saffron can easily be harvested at home, and a small amount goes a long way. Saffron can be obtained from a dozen or more blossoms. When your saffron flowers are in full bloom on a sunny day, midway through the morning, harvest your saffron. Gently dry the stigmas on a paper towel in a warm spot after removing them with your fingers or tweezers. Store in a cool, dark location in an airtight container. When you need saffron in the future, you’ll appreciate your easy harvest. Take a look at our post on Saffron Crocus Gardening.
Colors and cold tolerances vary widely across the crocus species. Deep red stripes cover the lavender petals of Crocus seiberi ‘Spring Beauty’, making it a show-stopper. It’s no wonder the Crocus is the most popular bulb in the world!
Choosing The Right Site For Your Crocus Bulbs
Crocus prefers full to partial light on well-drained soil. You may even plant them on your yard to brighten the waking grass with glitter. Their nectar is also enjoyed by early bees. Three inches deep and 2-3 inches apart, plant crocus bulbs (corms) in an unstructured clump. For a more relaxed, natural design, spread the seeds on the planting area and then plant them where they fall.
Plant Crocuses in the Spring
Crocus corms can be planted almost anyplace in the fall before the ground freezes, with the exception of dense shade on the north side of buildings or under thickets. Crocus
This flower is best planted 6 to 8 weeks before the last forecast hard frost and when temperatures in the soil are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. In the northern United States and Canada, this normally occurs in September and October, while in the southern United States, it occurs in October and November.
Spring-blooming If you live in zones 3-8, crocus are hardy and can be planted in fall, as long as the ground is still workable. Simply keep your bulbs in the refrigerator until late winter and then put them out as annuals if you live in a warmer region, like California.
When it comes to flowers that bloom in the fall, In late August or September, plant the crocus saffron. Zones 6 to 10 can expect them to survive the winter. If you live in a cooler region, you can dig up your Saffron Crocuses in the fall and enjoy them once again. For a week or so, place them in a warm, dry spot. Put them in a bag and keep them in a cold, dark place like a cellar to keep them fresh. After the risk of frost has gone in the spring, replant the seeds.
Planting Site Selection and Preparation
- Choose a location with well-draining soil; if the ground is too wet, the bulbs will rot.
- At least 10 inches of compost, peat or anything like shredded leaves should be incorporated into the soil before planting.
Crocuses: How to Plant Them
- 3 to 4 inches deep, plant crocus corms (with the pointy end up). After planting, be sure to water the plants well.
- Instead of placing bulbs in a single line along a walkway or border, consider planting them in groups or clusters. Single blooms are often overlooked in a field of green. A few inches apart and in groups of ten or more is good spacing.
- You may want to consider planting crocuses in lawns and meadows where they can grow into carpets, or massing them in front of flowerbeds on the edge.
- In order to create visual contrast, plant spring-flowering bulbs and shrubs higher than the early bulbs.
Crocuses: How to Maintain Them
- Spring is short, and the days heat up quickly; in this case, apply a balanced fertilizer in early autumn; if your spring is long and temperate, apply fertilizer after the bulbs flower in late winter. It will allow the crocuses to take advantage of the increased nutrients to grow larger reserves of carbohydrates, which will benefit the plant.
- If the weather is dry, water the crocus beds through the autumn, but don’t overdo it. Before the cold weather sets in, mulch the flowerbeds.
- Remove mulch from snowdrops and crocuses in late February so that the shoots can emerge.
- Crocuses and other early bloomers need protection from returning bad weather in February and March, so have plastic milk jugs or other coverings on hand.
- It is best not to mow your lawn until the crocuses’ leaves have fallen off.
Pests/Diseases
- It is possible that the corms will be eaten by rodents such as voles and squirrels. You might want to try planting crocuses in buried wire cages if you’re having trouble with them.
- Flowers are sometimes raided by birds.
- If stored in a wet environment, corms will rot and mold.
Species to Consider
- This variety, ‘Bowles White,’ blooms in the early spring with white flowers that have a deep golden yellow throat. Depending on the kind, it can reach a height of 1-3 inches.
- Spring to early summer brings out the single pale violet flowers of ‘Flower Record.’ It can reach a height of 4 to 5 inches.
- Crocus “Pickwick” has stripes of light and dark lilac and dark purple on its bases that alternate. 4 to 5 inches tall, it blooms from spring through early summer.
- ‘Tricolor Crocus’ is a stunning specimen. There are three distinct bands of lilac (white), white, and golden yellow in each of the flower’s three slender petals. Early spring and late winter are the best times to see it blossom.
- The violet blooms on ‘Purpureus Grandiflorus’ have purple bottoms, and the plant produces an abundance of them. Its height ranges from 4 to 5 inches, and it blooms from spring to early summer, depending on the climate.
Ingenuity and Intelligence
The crocus symbolizes joy in the floral language.
