MBG Home Horticulture MBG Search
Home Page
Highlights
Pests
Plants of Merit
Master Search
PlantFinder Search
Search PlantFinder Names

Crocus vernus

(0 ratings) --- Rate this plant / Read comments

Kemper Code:  J940

Common Name: Spring crocus
Zone: 3 to 8
Plant Type: Bulb
Family: Iridaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: Eastern Europe, western Russia
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Bloom Time: April  
Bloom Color: Purple or white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low


Plant Culture and Characteristics

Sources for this plant

View our source(s)

 
  Uses:       Wildlife:   Flowers:   Leaves:   Fruit:
Hedge Suitable as annual Attracts birds Has showy flowers Leaves colorful Has showy fruit
Shade tree Culinary herb Attracts Has fragrant flowers Leaves fragrant Fruit edible
Street tree Vegetable   hummingbirds Flowers not showy Good fall color   Other:
Flowering tree Water garden plant Attracts Good cut flower Evergreen Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1') Will naturalize   butterflies Good dried flower     Thorns or spines

General Culture: Click for monthly care information.

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Plant corms about 2-3” deep and 3-4” apart in the fall. If planted in the lawn, foliage should be left unmowed until it yellows (about 6 weeks after bloom). Naturalizes well. Plants go dormant by late spring.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Large flowering crocuses are among the most widely grown early spring bulbs (actually corms). Each corm produces several upright, cup-like, purple to white flowers with darker purple feathering or stripes on the outside. Typically grows 4-6” tall. Basal, grass-like leaves. Blooms in early spring shortly after snowdrops (Galanthus). Flowers close at night and open up in the morning, but usually remain closed on rainy/cloudy days. Many cultivars of this species have been developed.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Squirrels, mice and other rodents can be problems. Squirrels seem particularly adept at locating, digging up and eating newly planted corms.

Uses:

Brings early spring bloom to the landscape. Mass in lawns, under trees or in sunny woodland areas. Large sweeping drifts can be spectacular. Also may be grouped in rock gardens, in front of shrubs, along walks or in various other small areas around the home.

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2010


More photos: