Crocus vernus

Crocus vernus

Common name: spring corcus, dutch crocus, giant corcus

Family: Iridaceae

Leaf: linear, basal, grass-like leaves

Flowers: bloom in early spring for about 3 weeks, violet and/or light purple with saffron-orange stigmas and stamens in the center. Many hybrids. Flowers open during the day and close at night.

Habit: early spring blooming bulb

Height: 0.25-0.5'; Spread: 0.25-0.5'

Culture: Hardy in USDA zones 3-8. Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Plants do best in sandy/gritty, well drained soils. Avoid heavy clay soils or too-moist soil conditions. Plant corms 2-3" deep and 3_4" apart in fall. If  corms are planted in a lawn, allow foliage to yellow down before you mow the lawn (about 6 weeks after the bloom). Divide corms every 4-5 years. Watering should be reduced as plants go dormant in the late spring. At this point, dry soils are best for the corms.

Uses: open sunny grass areas, beds, borders

Origin: Easter Europe, Western Russia