CyberSalad: Garden Pursuits: Bulbs: Crocus

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Crocus

     To many gardeners the very name crocus is a synonym for spring, yet all crocuses do not bloom then; there are species that bloom in fall and even some that flower in winter in mild climates. All are wild flowers native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, and they send up 1- to 2- inch wineglass-shaped flowers on stems 2 to 6 inches tall before the leaves are fully developed. The arching, grasslike foliage continures to grow after the flowers fade and may become 8 to 10 inches long before it matures and finally withers away. Flower colors for species and hybrid crocuses run through shades of lavender to deepest purple, as well as yellow and white; many varieties are attractively striped, and all of them have prominent yellow stamens.
     For the earliest spring bloom, plant crocuses in a sunny protected spot; for later bloom, plant them on the north side of a wall, hedge or building, or under very light shade. The Dutch crocuses do well naturalized in grass; the species crocuses have shorter stems and are better suited to rock gardens. Crocuses may also be grown in pots for mid-winter bloom indoors.
     Hardy in Zones 3-10, crocuses do best in parts of the country that have cool or cold winter temperatures, especially from Zone 7 northward. Plant the corms in full sun or light shade as early in the fall as possible, spacing them 2 to 6 inches apart and covering them with 2 to 4 inches of soil. Heavy fertilizing is not necessary; apply a light dusting of bone meal or 5-10-5 fertilizer on the soil each fall so it can work in during the winter months. Some gardeners dig up and separate the corms in early summer every three or four years, but undisturbed clumps fed as noted above will increase in beauty from year to year. Propagation is by natural increase of corms, which multiply rapidly in rich soil. Plants can also be grown from seeds, but since they require three to four years to reach flowering size, and because the corms are so ine xpensive to purchase, most gardeners prefer to buy additional corms.
     As house plants, crocuses do best in at least four hours of direct sunlight a day, night temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees and day temperatures of 68 degrees or lower. They are often bought as fully blossoming plants from florists or nurseries in midwinter, but can also be started from large-sized dormant corms in October. Pot the corms in a good potting soil, keep them in a cold frame until mid-January or later, then bring them indoors. Keep the soil moist as long as the foliage is green but do not fertilize.

	Mixed Crocus--Spring flowering. Bloom time: February to March.
	'Tricolor'--Spring flowering. Multiple blooms on each stem. Great naturalizer and good for borders. Bloom time: February to March.
	Dutch Crocus--Spring flowering. Great naturalizer, for beds, and for forcing. Bloom time: February to March.
	'Blue Pearl'--Iridescent blue outside, cream white inside. Species Crocus, also known as snow crocus, bloom before the Giant Crocus and have a bunch flowering habit. Multiply rapidly and bloom quite early to extend the crocus blooming season.

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Site launched January 1, 2000.
Site updated September 1, 2007.