Crocuses are native to Southern Europe and Asia and are found in a wide range of habitats-woodland, scrub and meadows.

 

The Crocuses are small plants growing to about 3-4 inches in height.

 

Crocuses are actually corms, a bulb-like stem. The cup-shaped flowers of the crocus are upward-facing and come in a vast array of shades, from white to golden yellow to deep purple to bicolor, and may be attractively striped. Flowering in an assortment of bright spring colors, these early flowers - often popping through the snow - are certain to brighten the mood of winter-weary gardeners.

 

Crocuses are most popular of the late-winter bulbs. They are widely available and easy to grow. Crocus plants are the first blossoms of spring. Crocus flowers open fully only on sunny days. If it's cloudy or rainy, they stay closed. They also close up at night. Crocus is grown from corms, a bulb-like stem. The mother corm will produce several baby corms and then usually die in the same year. The new corms can be dug up and separated to be replanted. Make sure to mark and keep colors separate, if you want to create a design or look in the new bed.

 

The plant is subject to some pests and diseases. The squirrels like to steal them. Foil the furry pests by placing a screen of chick wire over your bulbs and then cover with soil; the bulbs will grow through the screen.

 

Crocuses are good flowers in the garden and they make good houseplants. They are attractive under deciduous trees, in the front garden surrounding shrubs, at the edge of a perennial bed or in a rock garden setting. These plants give a splash of color to the garden from autumn through to spring.

 

Did you know?

·        The Giant Dutch Crocuses are typically only about 4 - 6" (10 - 15 cm) tall. These crocuses are extremely popular.

·        The name of the genus is derived from the Greek krokos being a Semitic loanword. The word "Crocus" is Latin for Saffron.

·        C. sativus: the saffron crocus has light purple flowers with dark stripes on the outside.

·        There are about 80 species of Crocus.