These ground-hugging flowers in Easter egg colors are a sign that spring is coming.
Crocus brings earlyspring colorto the landscape by popping out of the ground (sometimes through snow!)
with petite, ground-hugging flowers.
Credit: Giant Crocus golden yellow
Large sections of crocus planted beneath deciduous trees create a spectacular sight.
Spring and fall crocuses aretoxic to pets.
Where to Plant Crocus
Plant crocuses in a location with full sun orpartial shade.
Credit: Giant Crocus golden yellow
The crocus will complete its life cycle before larger plants leaf out and limit its sunlight.
The location should have well-drained soil with a neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0).
Water them well after planting.
Crocus Care Tips
Light
Crocus can grow in full sun or partial shade.
Soil and Water
Crocus bulbs grow best in well-drained and even slightly dry soil.
Poor drainage and soggy soil is problematic.
If you have clay soil, add soil amendments.
Mix sand, peat moss, and well-aged compost with a neutral pH into the soil at planting time.
Temperature and Humidity
Crocuses are hardy perennials that can be grown down to zone 3.
Credit: Giant Crocus golden yellow
Summers above zone 8 are too hot and winters too mild to grow them.
During this time foliage produces nutrients that sustain the bulb for the next growing season.
Delay mowing a lawn embedded with crocus until the plant’s foliage turns fully yellow.
In some areas, this means delaying the first lawn mowing until mid- to late June.
Potting and Repotting Crocus
Crocuses are not suitable for growing in containers.
One option is to plant a lot of crocuses to beat their appetite.
How to Propagate Crocus
Crocuses are best propagated by division when they are getting too crowded.
This can be done every three to four years, or as needed.
Using a shovel, dig up the corms, which may range in size from large to tiny offsets.
Transplant the corms in a new location as described above.
It grows 23 inches tall.
The plant grows 2 to 3 inches tall.
It grows 4 to 5 inches tall.
Zones 38
‘Goldilocks’ Crocus
Crocus chrysanthus’Goldilocks' is an early-blooming variety that has bright golden-yellow flowers.
It grows 23 inches tall.
It flowers abundantly in early spring on plants that grow 2 inches tall.
It grows 4 inches tall.
It grows 5 inches tall.
Zones 38
Fall Crocus
Crocus speciosuslives up to its name, producing blue flowers in October.
Unlike spring crocuses, it is planted in the summer.
It grows 46 inches tall.
Check out these ideas for rock gardens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both spring crocus and fall crocus are perennials.
They come back year after year if grown in a suitable climate with cold winters.
Crocuses bloom for about three weeks.
Not all crocuses bloom at the same time.
Generally, species crocus bloom earlier than hybrid crocuses.
Yes, crocuses multiply (naturalize) every year.
It takes a few years for crocuses to grow into a thick tapestry so it’s a gradual process.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
“Gardening Safety 101: Your Guide to Keeping Your Pet Safe.
