Bulbs
Photo by : HansLinde / Pixabay.com .
Crocus heyday lead the path for other spring bloomers to follow . They blossom promising and early , bestow much needed colouring material after a long winter . These small - but - mighty works with their colorful blooms and sweet bouquet tempt hungry bees out of their hive . Crocus plants will manifold and follow back twelvemonth after twelvemonth , bringing more blooms with them each time .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : The Basics|Planting|Crocus Care|Pictures|Design Tips|Forcing Indoors
CROCUS BASICS
Zones:
3 - 8 ; they will typically not develop in hotter climates .
Height/Spread:
3 to 6 inch marvellous & wide
Exposure:
Partial to full sun
When do crocus bloom?
Most bloom belated winter to former spring , depending on the form ; however , there are types that bloom in the fall . Several bloom will be produce by each corm .
Color and characteristics:
Crocus blossom flower in a smorgasbord of bright colors admit purple , lavender , puritanic , orangish , yellow , ointment and white . They have narrow , gage - same foliage .
Types:
There are 2 type of spring - flower crocuses : Species diverseness , ( snow crocus or tempestuous crocus ) , that are smaller and the first to flower ; and the more coarse Dutch crocus ( hybrids ofCrocus vernus ) that have larger flowers and bloom a little later than the metal money varieties . Both outflow - flowering types belong to the family ( Iridaceae ) , as does the fall - floweringsaffron crocus(Crocus sativus ) that the spice saffron is harvested from .
There are other autumn - blossom crocus that belong to the lily phratry ( Colchicumspecies ) , such asColchicum autumnale . found these in later summer and they will flower with flowers in fall and send up subaltern foliage in outflow . When groups get too large , they can be jab up and divided in summer when they are dormant .
PLANTING CROCUS
picture by : Photowind / Shutterstock .
When to plant crocus:
Get your give - bloom crocus in the dry land after the weather cool down down in the dip , but before the ground freeze . broadly speaking , this will be September to October in northerly zones , and October to November in southerly zones .
Where to plant:
Crocus corm can be plant just about anywhere as long as they get full to fond Sunday and well - drained soil . They ’re beneficial to go under deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , where they ’ll get enough sunlight before most trees have fully leafed out . Do n’t plant in slow shade , such as on the north side of construction .
How to plant:
position corms 3 to 4 column inch deep , about 3 inches apart and with their pointy end up . coiffure them in small groups of 9 to 10 per square foot , or in large drifts . Cover with soil level to the surface so urine wo n’t puddle . If you determine you necessitate to deter pests like black eye or voles from eat your newly planted corms , squash seashell , huitre shell or eggshells can be impart to the planting holes . water supply the area well after constitute .
For more selective information on planting medulla , corms , or Tuber , seePlanting and Storing Bulbs
CROCUS CARE
Pruning:
crocus do n’t need any pruning , simply let the foliage conk back after blooming and then remove it . It ’s important to lease it die back naturally , as it is hive away food and vigour for next time of year .
Soil:
Although they ’re not particularly fussy , they do require well - drained soil so the corm do n’t rot . spirited to sandy filth or John Rock gardens make for well .
Amendments & Fertilizer:
Add a layer of mulch over winter in the moth-eaten geographical zone and remove it in former spring .
Watering:
Established corms need ample wet in fall when root are growing and in spring when blooming . Unless rainfall is enough , water in the amount of ½ to 1 inch of rain per week . Do n’t water in summer or when plants are dormant or they may rot . You may want to avoid planting them in areas where they will have piss year - daily round unless you plan on labour them up and storing them .
Propagation:
Crocuses sprout from corms , although the term crocus bulbs is often used as well . Crocuses will naturalise in an area and multiply . Overcrowding may hap after a few years and can stimulate lessen blossoming . Crocuses can be dug up short after flowering and divided into smaller clusters to be replanted elsewhere or shared with supporter . Corm clusters should be replanted at least 6 inches aside , a small farther than single corms .
Diseases and Pests:
Crocus plant are n’t particularly susceptible to any dirt ball or disease job . However , shiner , voles and squirrels may give on corm by digging them up or burrowing underground to them . If this is a problem , you’re able to try protect them with a scent deterrent , screening over the sphere , or by place crushed seashells or shell into the planting hole . Crocus tommasinianusvarieties or " tommies " are said to be less tasty to squirrels .
PICTURES
picture by : Garden World Images , Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo .
Crocus ancyrensis‘Golden Bunch ’
Zones:3 - 8
Height / Spread:6 inch tall & wide
Exposure : Full sun
rosiness time : Late wintertime to early leaping
colouring material : smart scandalmongering - orangeness
other bloomer with 6 - petaled , cup - shaped flowers , perfect to brighten rock garden and early spring lawns .
Photo by : Anna Gratys / Shutterstock .
Crocus chrysanthus‘Cream Beauty ’
Height / Spread:3 to 6 inches tall & wide
colour : delicate yellow
This sick jaundiced crocus is an early - spring fuckup and has grass - comparable foliage with silvery stripes .
Photo by : Geert Naessens / Shutterstock .
Crocus sieberi‘Tricolor ’
Zones:4 - 8
Height / Spread:2 to 3 inches marvelous & wide
Color : Lilac - grim petals with ashen foundation and yellow pharynx
A fragrant violet crocus , perfect for forcing indoors where its small height can be appreciate .
Photo by : Florapix / Alamy Stock Photo .
Crocus tommasinianus‘Pictus’Commonly called snow crocus or former crocus
Exposure : Full sun to part ghost
Color : Purple - tipped violet petals , white center and chickenhearted stamens
This squirrel - immune mintage is commonly shout out snow crocus because it ’s often one of the first crocus to flower .
exposure by : Garden World Images , Ltd. / Alamy Stock Photo .
Crocus vernus‘Flower Record ’
Height / Spread:4 to 6 inches marvellous & wide
Bloom clock time : Early spring
Color : Purple petals with pale white-hot pharynx
This big - blossom variety cattle ranch and naturalizes well and is a majuscule companion for early - blooming daffodil .
Photo by : Chris Burrows /Alamy Stock Photo .
Crocus chrysanthus‘Orange Monarch ’
Height / Spread:3 to 4 inches tall & all-inclusive
colour : Bi - discolour Orange River with black striations on outer petals
One of the first to go forth in spring , this tiny mantrap have its name from the orangish and disastrous color reminiscent of Monarch butterflies .
exposure by : Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo .
Crocus chrysanthus‘Blue Pearl ’
Height / Spread:4 inches tall & wide
vulnerability : Full sun to partial afternoon shade
colouring material : Pale blue outer petals , pearlescent indoors with yellow pharynx
This blue and white crocus is an former bloomer and utter for forcing indoors . geminate with after - blooming Dutch crocuses for weeks of blooms .
Crocus sativusCommonly call saffron crocus
Zones:6 - 8
Bloom time : Fall ( September to October )
Color : Lilac - purple petals with morose marrow
Each flower produces 3 reddened stigma which are the author of the spice Crocus sativus . It take 70,000 flowers to produce 1 Egyptian pound of saffron ; this would intend planting a football game field full of saffron crocus .
DESIGN TIPS
FORCING CROCUS FLOWERS INDOORS
Crocuses can be forced to flower indoors over winter . Pot them in mid - October in a shallow pan or pot , only about an column inch deep and water well . Chill at 38 to 45 ° F in a sinister location for 8 to 10 weeks . Water moderately during this meter , but check that the pot is draining well . Bring them to their desired location at elbow room temperature and they ’ll bloom in about 4 calendar week . plant that are wedge , can not be regrown or graft outside . Read more onforcing indoor bulbs .
