When Does Crocus Bloom?

Bloom Time

• The earliest-blooming varieties of crocus include snow crocus (Crocus chrysanthus) and cloth-of-gold crocus (Crocus augustifolius). These flower in late winter, usually during the month of March. Scotch crocus (Crocs biflorus) and Dutch crocus (Crocus vernus) bloom slightly later, opening in early to mid-spring. These blossoms usually appear in late March or early April. Though the crocus is best known for its early spring blossoms, a few varieties bloom in fall. Examples include Autumn Blue, Autumn Gold, Autumn Lilac and Autumn White Crocus.

Visual Appeal

• Crocus flowers can be yellow, white, purple, lavender or bi-color. For a visual punch, plant them in masses of the same color. Group different varieties together to extend the bloom time from March to April. Crocuses are an excellent choice for naturalizing into a lawn. Their stems resemble grass, and the blossoms bring a burst of spring color to a lawn emerging from dormancy. They will die out after a few years in a dense lawn, however. Don't mow until their foliage turns yellow and dies.

Care

• Crocuses are part of a group of flowers gardeners refer to as bulbs. They are not true bulbs, however, but corms. Corms, fleshy underground food-storing structures, are similar to bulbs and are planted the same way. Plant them in early fall, placing the corms 3 to 4 inches into the soil with the buds facing up. Space them 2 to 3 inches apart. Each corm produces one to five blooms. Crocuses do best in full sun and sandy or gritty well-drained soil. They will not thrive in clay soil.

Origin

• The crocus is a member of the Iris family Iridaceae. Its colorful blossoms first appear in late winter, even before daffodils and tulips. There are more than 80 species of crocus, with a few blooming in autumn. The crocus is native to central and southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. They are a common sight blooming in the foothills of the Alps in spring.