Crocus Bulbs

Elevate Your Garden's Beauty with Crocus Flowers

Crocus is a genus of flowering plants from the iris family comprising 90 species of perennials growing from corms. Crocuses are amongst the first flowers to bloom in spring, their goblet-shaped heads peeking through the snow spread delightful color around the white, snowy landscape! They're ideal for containers, borders and rock gardens, great for naturalizing, as also for attracting bees and other beneficial pollinators. Crocus bulbs not only provide winter garden color, but they naturalize, meaning that they spread and come back year after year.

Do Crocuses Come Back Every Year?

Crocus bulbs not only provide winter garden color, but they naturalize, meaning that they multiply and come back year after year with minimal care.

How Long Do Crocus Flowers Last?

Crocus bulbs bloom in the spring or fall depending on the species after 4 to 10 weeks. The flowers stay in bloom for about 2 to 5 weeks.

When Do Crocus Bloom?

We tend to think of crocus are early risers, peeking through snow in late February. However, different varieties of crocus flowers bloom at different times. Snow crocuses are the very first to appear, often the first sign of color after a long winter. In most temperate American climates, snow crocuses sprout in February or early March. Dutch crocus, including giant Dutch crocus, bloom in early spring. And, some varieties of crocus actually operate on the other side of the winter spectrum, blooming in fall. Fall-blooming crocuses may open between October and December. Crocuses are truly the perfect flower to fill in the garden or lighten up the lawn during those bare times!

Crocus Flower Basics

Crocus is a genus of flowering plants from the iris family comprising 90 species of perennials growing from corms. Crocuses are amongst the first flowers to bloom in spring, their goblet-shaped heads peeking through the snow spread delightful color around the white, snowy landscape! They're ideal for containers, borders and rock gardens, great for naturalizing, as also for attracting bees and other beneficial pollinators. Crocus bulbs not only provide winter garden color, but they naturalize, meaning that they spread and come back year after year.

Where To Plant Crocus Bulbs

Crocus grow best in partial to full sun, and prefer well-drained soil. Crocus are particularly fond of open-area locations, where they'll have room to multiply and naturalize. Many gardeners create a meadow our of crocus, mixing them with grasses or other low-growing flowers. Consider planting crocus in masses along the edge of flower beds, or in front of taller spring-flowering bulbs and perennials. Or, try planting crocus in lawns to create a beautiful springtime "carpet" before the mowing season.

Height and Spread of Crocus Flowers

While all crocuses are low-growing, they do vary in size by variety. Early snow crocuses may only open to an inch or two in width, and under three inches in height. Giant crocuses may reach widths of three to four inches and can stand half a foot tall. Most crocuses can be planted just a few inches apart from one another. These flowers are perfect for mass plantings.

Exposure to Weather

One of the best aspects of crocus plants: their hardy nature. Crocuses, along with snowdrops, are typically the very first flowers to appear in early spring. Their leaves and shoots can withstand late-winter chill, but you can send them off to the right start by applying mulch in the fall. Once the plants have budded, it's best to protect crocus flowers from severe weather. Use buckets, jugs, or hoop structures to cover plants during February and March's cold snaps, especially if you're growing early bloomers.

Crocus Flower Color and Characteristics

Crocus are low-growing plants, opening in hues of pink, purple, mauve, white, and yellow. Most crocus feature a bell-shaped flower with six petals, and long, strap-shaped leaves that look like early grasses. Crocus can be propagated by division or pollination, but most crocus divide easily underground, multiplying by creating new corms. Crocuses look gorgeous in mixed varieties, or in monochromatic groupings.

Types Of Crocus Flowers

Dozens of types of crocus exist, so we've selected the ones that perform the very best in American gardens. Among our favorites:

Early crocus, or snow crocus, are the very first crocus to bloom. Often smaller and available in delicate hues, snow crocus are absolute charmers and the perfect way to close the winter season.

Dutch crocus are extremely hardy, and among those favorite early bloomers. They are available in a wide variety of colors, with many performing in stripes or variegated patterns.

Giant crocus are usually derived from Dutch varieties, but are much taller and offer wider blooms. Dutch crocus can grow up to six inches tall, with flowers nearly four inches in width.

Saffron crocus, or autumn crocus, bloom in the late fall. In addition to their attractive blooms and warm colors, saffron crocus is actually the source of saffron flavor. Harvest and dry the stigma of the blooms for a few days, then use them in paella or anywhere else you want to enjoy saffron.

Crocuses are a sure and welcome sign of spring, and beautiful in both gardens and lawns. These small but mighty flowers can add amazing color and texture to your landscape.