Crocus, among the first to bloom

Crocus is a formidable tiny flower that blooms at the end of winter or in fall depending on the variety.

Core Crocus facts

Name – Crocus
Family – Iridaceae
Type – spring bulb

Height – 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm)
Exposure – full sun, part sun
Soil – ordinary

Flowering – winter or fall
Colors – violet, white, bright orange

Planting and care are a set of small actions that, if properly performed, will boost blooming.

Planting crocus

There are two planting periods, each matching the one or the other variety. The species that produces saffron is called Crocus sativus.

• It is recommended to plant in fall those bulbs of species that bloom at the end of winter
• and to plant at the beginning of summer the bulbs of species blooming in fall

Follow a planting depth of 2 inches (5 cm) and plant in clusters of at least 20 to 30 bulbs.

• Take a look at our information on how to plant bulbs.

Pruning and caring for crocus

At the end of the blooming, wait for leaves to turn yellow before cutting them off, because this is exactly when the flower is storing nutrients in its bulb for the next blooming cycle.

If you’ve planted crocus in the middle of your lawn, wait for the crocus leaves to have wilted before mowing for the first time in spring.

Usually, this will match with the end of the first dandelion blooming. You’ll have a lawn dotted with yellow dandelions, but won’t have to suffer through all the weeding!

Different types of crocus

Crocus sativus, as mentioned above, is the variety from which saffron is collected. This is arduous work!

Other crocus species include Crocus chrysanthus, Crocus sieberi, Crocus tommasinianus, Crocus olivieri… Many of these grow in the wild, but garden centers are beginning to introduce them as botanical crocus varieties.

All there is to know about crocus

This bulb plant is remarkable for the beauty of its flowers that are most often a blend of blue and violet, that often appear in the middle of the lawn or at the foot of trees.

They are perfect to highlight your garden at the end of winter or in fall, when clusters large and dense enough start forming incredible flowered spots all around.