Spring Crocus
Saffron is the stigma of Crocus sativus, the most expensive spice in the world.
Spring Crocus is one of the first and most beloved flowers for gardeners, bringing colour when spring has scarcely touched the earth. This hybrid (Crocus × vernus) descends from crosses between several south European species and has delighted gardeners worldwide for over 500 years with its unfussiness and reliability.
Each crocus corm is like a tiny treasure chest. From it emerge fine grass-like leaves and enchanting cup-shaped flowers that bloom in March to April in a palette ranging from soft violet to pure white and sunny yellow. Modern cultivars offer us especially large and vibrant blooms, yet even common crocus varieties captivate with their gracefulness. They open as if on command, creating veritable carpets of colour in the garden.
Crocus finds its perfect place in the garden: plant them in groups on the lawn, in alpine rockeries, along pathways or in perennial borders. They flourish alongside other early bloomers—snowdrops, glory-of-the-snow and primroses. These plants require virtually no fuss: give them sunlight and proper drainage, and they will faithfully return each spring.
Crocus is a true ephemeroid: its above-ground parts quickly yellow and fade, making way for summer flowers. In this fleeting nature lies its charm—it teaches us to treasure brief moments of beauty. If you do not yet have crocuses, be sure to plant them in autumn; for three to four years running they will bloom ever more abundantly, multiplying themselves.
Spring Crocus — planting & location
First spring flower, ephemeral.
How to water Spring Crocus
Do not water after flowering.
Fertilizing and pruning: Spring Crocus
Cut back after yellowing.