Spacing can be as close as 2in (5cm) between crocus bulbs, which look best when planted in groups of seven or more. Plant a few inches apart, and plant in groups of 10 or more. The seeds inside should be dry and brittle. Submitted by The Editors on April 30, 2019 - 3:16pm. Plant winter- and spring-blooming crocuses in fall and fall-blooming crocuses in late summer. Growing from bulb-like structures called corms, crocuses are low-growing perennial plants from the iris (Iridaceae) family.In many regions, crocus flowers (Crocus spp.) this also happened with my tulip. They grow best in well-drained soil but will also tolerate both sandy and clay soils. Vigorous, Crocus sieberi is a late winter-flowering crocus producing its charming flowers as the snow melts. And all the woods are alive with the murmur and sound of Spring, Growers have ways of hastening plant/bulb maturity on a schedule that is slightly different from that of mother nature because we love to see blooms in the spring! And the rose-bud breaks into pink on the climbing briar, As we indicate above, Ideally, plant crocus corms 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected and when soils are below 60°F(16°C). Submitted by The Editors on February 13, 2018 - 2:58pm. Crocus sativus. My second question: if I grow summer flowers near the crocuses, will this affect them (I have no storage place and I cannot afford separate pots for different seasons). Here’s how to plant, grow, and care for crocuses in your garden! One species of crocus, C. sativus, is used in the production of saffron, a well-known Middle Eastern spice.Other crocus varietals may not produce spices, but they are still quite lovely. If any of the characteristics that identify true bulbs are missing, the plant isn’t a true bulb. Certainly if you plant them in a lawn or tidy your plant bed by mowing or cutting off the foliage, you are not helping the crocuses; they need the foliage to thrive. Submitted by Mary Ann Wilson on April 23, 2018 - 8:15am. There may be other factors but these are relatively common ones. Submitted by Laura on April 27, 2019 - 11:49am. Should established crocus be divided / thinned in the fall? mark the arrival of spring. If you want the crocus in your lawn, then don’t use weed-killers. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. This type of crocus comes true from seed and is quite striking, thanks to its deep-purple petals and golden centers. If I naturalize crocus in my lawn can I still use lawn fertilizer and weed killers? I could swear that I had not dropped a bulb in those spots as well. The best time to divide or thin crocuses is after their foliage has died back naturally. Is it possible to grow healthy saffron crocus on the gulf side of Florida 60 miles north of Tampa? Place the seeds in a brown paper bag, and store in a cool, dry place until you're ready to grow them. I'm not sure when to plant them. Submitted by The Editors on September 28, 2020 - 6:51pm. … Please help? The earliest Crocus to bloom are the Crocus chrysanthus or Snow Crocus.With narrow, almost grass-like leaves that appear after the blooms, and just 3-4 inches tall, they are perfect to plant in nooks and crannies or where they can poke up through low groundcovers.Because they bloom so early, they can be planted above and amongst other later blooming bulbs. Like all bulb plants, crocus require a period of cold temperatures before they can grow and bloom. When it seems like winter will never lose its icy grip, the dainty crocus pushes through the snow to put on a show of colorful revival. I have asked this on another site but never got a satisfactory answer. Coming from Greece it will do of its best in a well drained compost in a pot with some protection and a dry summer rest. Winter and Spring Flowering Crocus: These are the earliest bloomers, Ex: Snow Crocus, or Crocus chrysanthus. A carpet of crocuses makes for a wonderful spring sight! The embryo resides in the top of the corm rather than in the middle like bulbs. I actually like the crocus better in the lawn where they have to compete with the grass and don’t make such thick clumps as they do in the bed. However, you may need to refresh the soil in the pots in the fall to remove any dead material and prevent overcrowding. I brought them indoors and they are now blooming. Crocus brings early spring color to the landscape by popping out of the ground (sometimes through snow!) Saffron is a crocus and is part of the Iris or Iridaceae family. Through the autumn, keep crocus beds watered if weather gets dry, but do not waterlog the soil. Growing crocuses: Plant corms 2 to 4 inches deep, 3 to 5 inches apart, in a sunny, well-drained area. This pretty and delicate meadow plant of northern Greece and Turkey is quite possible to grow in light grass, either in sun or part shade. This is usually during September and October in the North, and October and November in the South. We've had pretty mild weather but I'm afraid it will turn cold & they'll get a frost or freeze. I planted 15 Crocus bulbs in a 12 diameter planter nearly a month and a half ago. Sort of my retirement hobby. The spice known as saffron is produced from an autumn-flowering plant with the scientific name Crocus sativus.The common name of this plant is saffron crocus.The saffron crocus is unknown in the wild.It's thought to have been developed by selective breeding of other crocuses that do exist in the wild. The earliest bloomers, the so-called snow crocus, appear in late winter while the later ones, often referred to as Dutch crocus, start growing in early spring. At first glance, the crocosmia flower seems to resemble the gladiolus, but this plant is actually a member of the iris family, which is fortunate as it's much hardier than annual glads in the garden. And the crocus-bed is a quivering moon of fire Crocus are small, only 3 to 6 inches tall depending on the variety. This Crocus is the most cold tolerant. Then, with each successive year, the corms (which look like bulbs) will multiply, the size of the planting will increase, and you'll be able to … I live in Houston and it’s a fair 70 degrees so would it be advisable to water 3-4 apart? BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter! High nitrogen fertilizer encourages leaf production at the expense of all else. Plant crocus corms 3 to 4 inches deep (with the pointy end up). The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. The usual colors found are white, mauve, lavender, yellow and even striped. I missed planting in October/November, some 8b, can I plant them now? Submitted by The Editors on February 6, 2018 - 9:04am. I have a nice bed of fall crocus, planted in small clusters, 8 - 10 clusters in a 3' X 7' space. You can order them online, or buy them from a local nursery. Girdled round with the belt of an amethyst ring. Bulbs need moisture (although not pools of it); failure to thrive could be due to poor drainage. Zones: 3-8 Height/Spread: 3 to 6 inches tall & wide Exposure: Full sun to part shade Bloom time: Late winter to early spring Color: Purple-tipped violet petals, white center and yellow stamens This squirrel-resistant species is commonly called snow crocus because it’s often one of the first crocuses to bloom. Most forced bulbs can be planted and naturalized into an environment. Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) create quick jewel-toned flowers in the fall garden in about 6-10 weeks (sometimes as little as 4-6 weeks) after being planted. Presumably those dates would vary in other gardening zones. Also, how will their fall growth affect the spring growth & blooms? Resembling crocuses with its cup-shaped flowers, it produces its strap-like foliage, way later, in spring. It's now November 17th & they're starting to pop up again. Please add something or load your cart, Having one of the most striking shape of any crocus, this extremely unusual pale purple species has the lower part (it looks like the stalk) of the flower extremely slender, before it flares widely at the top into a goblet, open at the top in sunshine. Set out dormant bulbs from late summer to early winter, planting them 3in (8cm) deep. Separate the seeds from the chaff and organic debris. Will mowing affect the plants ( you mentioned that the bulbs need foliage to collect enough food for next year ). Both are simply underground storage organs for a plant, which contain the nutrients and embryo necessary for the plant to sprout. This plant also possesses the power to jazz up rock gardens, brighten the ground in front of shrubs, and line sidewalks with splashes of color. A variety of C. sieberi, ‘Firefly’ features pale violet flowers with golden throats. But in fact, some crocuses, especially Tommy crocus (Crocus tommasinianus ‘Pictus’), naturalize and spread by seed. Flowers: The flowers of colchicum are typically larger than those of crocus and each corm produces 5 to 10 stalks each bearing a single flower. Help!! Saffron crocus and other autumn flowering varieties need to be planted quite deep – about 10cm in well-drained, rich soil in a sunny situation and 7.5cm apart. Regarded by some as one of the most attractive crocuses, it is very hardy and ridiculously easy to grow, making long-lived clumps. They fit all the information you give for a spring crocus but I have only large 8" long green leaves in the spring when others have flowers. From snow crocuses (the first to bloom) to giant Dutch crocuses, all just 2 to 4 inches tall, these blooms offer a variety in color (pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, purples, blues, and more) that stand out against the bleak late-winter landscape. Submitted by Moe on February 5, 2018 - 12:46am. Large sections of crocus planted beneath deciduous trees create a spectacular sight. Hi, The flower will look like a cup and it will have a single flower that comes off of each stem. Thanks! Submitted by Su on April 17, 2017 - 12:52pm. Thank you for the comprehensive advice. (Did you consider that: could squirrels be your nemesis??) Uses for crocuses: Crocus are ideal for beds and borders and can also be naturalized in lawns and woodlands. Plant bulbs in groups or clusters rather than spacing them in a single line along a walkway or border. Ideally, plant crocus corms 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected and when the soil temperature is below 60°F (16°C). I live in the south east of England and our crocuses finished blooming a few weeks ago but the foliage shows no sign of dying back. As for your second question: Yes, you can grow other flowers near crocuses without problems. 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