Introduction to the Crocus
Crocuses are one of the earliest flowers that bloom after winter, appearing in a splash of color even while the ground still has some snow on it. They are small plants which after a few days' growth, burst into bloom. The crocuses were named by the early European settlers after the crocuses in Europe. They were known as Napi (old man) among the native Indians because of their gray, hairy seeds.

Genus and History of The Crocus
Crocus is a genus that belongs to the familiy Iridaceae. The name is an adaptation of the Latin word "Crocatus" meaning saffron yellow. The exotic food colouring and flavoring agent saffron, profusely used in Arabia and India, is actually the dried stamens of Crocus Sativus, a species of crocus that blooms in autumn. It takes thousands of flowers to produce an ounce of saffron.
Crocuses are found across Southern Europe and Central Asia and also Kashmir in India, where the light purple Crocus Sativus is cultivated for saffron. However, most of the varieties that are grown in our gardens are hybridised versions developed chiefly in Holland.

Description & Types of Crocus
Crocuses are small plants and are a mere 3 to 6 inches tall. Their leaves resemble grass and they are easy to grow. If given the minimum growing conditions, they flourish and reward you with a profusion of colorful yellow, blue, white and light orange flowers. Wild crocuses are better left alone as they do not adapt to gardens easily. The prairie crocus (Anemone patens) actually belongs to the buttercup family. A few wild varieties of crocus, such as C.tomasinianus, (pale lilac to deep purple), adapt to rock gardens.

Crocuses blossom not only in spring, but also in autumn. Generally, they bloom early in the season i.e. early spring and early fall. The most commonly grown crocuses are the Dutch hybrids from C. vernus with colors ranging from lavender and purple to white. Some common C vernus cultivars and their flower descriptions are:
1. C. vernus 'Jeanne d'Arc': pure white ,
2. Pickwick: White with dark and light lilac stripes,
3. Enchantress: pale blue,
4. Grand Maitre: dark blue etc.

Many prefer the yellow of the Giant yellow C. Chrysanthus, the tricolor of the C.sieberi - a purple-petalled flower with white and deep yellow center, or the purple C. tommasinianus
Crocus clumps of contrasting color mixtures produce an impressive display.
Growing tips

Crocuses can be successfully grown in pots as houseplants as well as in gardens. They are propagated through seeds as well as corms-the fleshy underground stems.
Crocuses need an average, well-drained soil and ample sunlight to grow and flower well. Zones 3-8 are suitable for the spring blooming varieties and 5-8 for those that bloom in autumn.

Growing Crocus from Corms
Plant the crocuses in the fall to bloom in early spring. The soil should not be waterlogged in winter and spring. They also need a dry summer. While planting the corms singly or in groups, keep in mind the colors and the effects that you wish to create. The soil should be thoroughly turned and mixed with compost and some bulb fertilizer for nourishment. Large drifts of 15-20 corms planted individually at about 3 inches depth and, 3 to 4 inches apart give a good display. Contrast colors such as blue/purple and white, lavender/blue and yellow etc or a mix of all. This will give you a bouquet of colors to create attractive effects. The freshly planted corms require moisture. An established drift of crocuses will flower earlier than freshly planted ones.

Growing Crocus from seeds:
Seeds can be collected from the plants when they are dry. They should be planted in well-drained compost. Plants from seeds may not be true to type as those from corms are and they flower after a minimum of 3 years.

Growing Crocus in Pots:
Potted Crocuses need to be fertilized with a high potassium, low nitrogen feed fortnightly.
Pests and diseases:
Crocus corms are tasty snacks for squirrels and rodents. Plant them deeply to dissuade squirrels or shield the newly planted corms with chicken wire. Crocuses are resistant to most diseases.

Care of the Corms:
The crocus leaves must not be cut but allowed to dry naturally. The corms survive underground, the mother corms producing baby corms before they perish at the end of the season. These multiply rapidly and form clumps of crocuses very soon. They survive a bit of crowding but it is better to dig up the corms, separate them and replant at least once in 3-4 years preferably in autumn

The crocuses need moisture in the fall, through summer, but need to be kept comparatively dry in summer or they decay and perish

If you like Crocus.....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory