What Is Crocus?

Types

• While there are more than 50 types of crocus, the Dutch crocus is one of the most common. This popular, spring-blooming bulb produces showy, 4-inch flowers of white, yellow, lavender or violet. The flowers of the snow crocus are not as large as their Dutch cousins, but they do bloom much earlier, pushing up through the melting snow as winter comes to an end, and they produce more flowers per corm, giving gardener's more bloom for their buck. For autumn color, it is hard to beat the fall crocus. This easy-to-grow flower is not as well known as other late-seasonal perennials, but it is every bit as colorful- the sturdy stems feature 6-inch blossoms of lavender blue that add color and texture to the garden from late summer through late fall.

Planting

• Spring-blooming bulbs should be planted in the fall, before the arrival of the first frost, while fall-blooming bulbs should be planted in midsummer. Plant crocus corms 6 inches deep and at least three inches apart. As they grow, the plants will crowd together to form a solid mass of flowers and foliage. For the best long-term results, divide the plants every two to three years as this increases air circulation and helps prevent the development of many common fungal diseases.

Use

• Plant crocuses in large groups for the best effect, creating colorful drifts in front of flower beds and borders, under shrubs and trees, along walkways, and in rock gardens. Use them in the lawn to fashion a meadow-like or woodland setting, but bear in mind, the foliage of spring-blooming crocuses becomes unsightly once the flowers fade and disappears entirely by midsummer; to create a succession of foliage and flowers, combine spring-bloomers with a variety of late-blooming perennials or annuals.

Warning

• Do not confuse the fall crocus with the autumn crocus. The autumn crocus is a member of the Colchicum family and is highly toxic. Though the two bear flowers that are similar in appearance, they can be easily differentiated. There are a number of highly visible, bright yellow stamens in the center of each blossom; the crocus has three stamens, while the poisonous Colchicum has six.