Crocus bulbs originate from Europe, North Africa, China and the Middle East.
Genus:
Crocus (name adapted from Theophrastus)
Family:
Iridaceae
There are about eighty species of crocus in general cultivation. But many, however, are only to be found in botanical gardens and specialist growers nurseries as they are too rare or delicate to be grown in your own garden.
Although they are commonly called bulbs they are in fact corms.
Crocuses are peculiar inasmuch as they all do not flower at the same time of the year.
Some produce their flowers in autumn, while others flower in spring. For this reason they are roughly classified as, surprise, surprise, autumn-flowering and spring flowering.
Spring Flowering Crocus appear at the dullest and bleakest time of the year. And this makes them one of the most favourite gardening plants for spring beds, borders, tubs, pots and window boxes.
They can be planted with other spring flowering plants such as Snowdrops (Galanthus), Spring Snowflakes (Leucojum vernum), Spring Meadow Saffron (Bulbocodium vernum) and dwarf spring flowering plants such as Winter Aconite (Eranthus hyemalis). If you group the same species together in beds or borders they look much more attractive than if they are just all mixed together.
Crocus are magical in window boxes at this time of year, especially if the window box can be seen from a window you frequently look out of.
Individual flowers may not last very long but they are produced in such profusion that the flowering period extends over several weeks.
They are easy to grow in any light, fertile and well drained soil. They will benefit from the addition of plenty of well-rotted compost or manure applied and dug well in a couple of weeks before planting.
The corms should be planted about 7.5cm (3inches) deep in September or October, late autumn.
The use of a hand trowel will make the job of planting individual corms easy. If you are planting a lot of corms at the same time it's easier to dig out shallow drills, plant the corms and cover them with soil.
Crocuses are easily propagated. They produce young corms, which are easily separated from the parent. Pot the young corms up in pots of ordinary potting compost as soon as separated from its parent. They will be ready for planting out in their final flowering position next season.
Crocus should be lifted every year and this should be done when flowering has finished and all the leaves have withered. This is the time to separate the young corms from the parent and pot them up.
Clean the corms off, make sure they are dry and store them in a cool dry, airy place until time for planting next year.
Autumn Flowering Crocus are just as hardy as and ornamental as the spring flowering varieties but are more likely to be damaged by wind and rain because of the time of year they flower.
They can be grown in autumn flowering beds and borders, pots, tubs and window boxes.
Autumn flowering crocus are ideal for planting in lawns and look great with Meadow Saffrons (Colchicum) and Lily of the Field (Sternbergia) which flower at the same time. If left to naturalise they will make a splendid show and spread year on year.
They should be grown in a fertile but well drained soil in open situations, protected from winds as much as possible.
They should be planted about 7.5cm (3inches) deep at the end of July, (mid summer), in the same way as spring flowering varieties.
They are propagated in the same easy way as spring flowering crocus.
You should lift them every year if planted in beds, borders, pots, tubs or window boxes. This should be done when the flowers have finished and all the leaves have wilted. Store them the same as spring flowering varieties.
This is when the young corms should be separated from its parent and potted up. More plants free for life!
Chris and Alison are successful and experienced gardeners specializing in plant propagation. For all the information you need on propagating and growing your favorite gardening plants successfully visit www.plants-free-for-life.com
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