Crocus bulbs
Crocus bulbs with their wonderful flowers are made up varieties that flower in spring, however a few Crocus species will also flower in autumn.
A remarkably hardy genus mostly are drought tolerant and require little care once established.
With flowers that vary in color varies from pure white through to purples these pretty little plants actually grow from corms rather than bulbs.
And if you live in small garden you can always grow these tiny treasures in a container ( see image left)
Growing Crocus
Crocus can be grown in all but the tropical and dry arid areas, they do grow well in the temperate or Mediterranean type climates.
In the garden these bulbs can be planted in the rock garden, in clumps in the border, naturalized into lawns or grown in containers.
As the spring flowering species flower early, they are great for planting beneath deciduous trees where they will flower before the tree puts on new foliage.
The spring flowering species require a cold winter dormancy, while those that flower in autumn require a warm summer dormancy.
Planting
- A humus rich well drained soil is ideal, prepare the soil well before planting, dig in some aged compost and animal manure (cow or sheep manure is best)
- Sunny position – full sun to part shade, deep shade is not suitable
- Plant around 8 – 10 cm deep with the pointed end facing up.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertilizer
- Best planted in groups that will fill a container or in clusters of 8 -12 in the garden.
- If naturalizing into a lawn, plant the bulbs in small groups of 3 to 5 or even in larger swathes for a wonderful effect. You may need to hold off on mowing for a week or two, but well worth it. Allow foliage to die back before mowing, so maybe plant in clumps in the lawn and ‘mow around them’
Crocus Varieties
Bulbs are available for sale online from participating nurseries at various times depending on the species,
- Autumn flowering crocus species including goulimyi, sativus, kotschyanus, medius, pulchellus, ochroleucus, pulchellus, serotinus salzmannii, and speciosus are generally on sale from winter to spring
- The spring flowering species include : Crocus abantensis, ancyrensis, candidus, chrysanthus, corsicus, dalmaticus, danfordiae, flavus, imperaati, leichtlinii, olivieri, sieberi, tommasinianus and vernus on sale from summer to autumn. Look for Crocus Pickwick
Care
Other than waiting for the foliage to die back before dividing and an annual top dressing of compost with a little blood and bone in winter crocus require little care at all.
Container grown crocus will need to repotted every 3 years as they multiply, fill the pot and exhaust the potting mix.
For easy flowering crocus for the garden try C. goulmyi, with deep lilac blue large flowers or C. longiflorus with its large scented flowers.
Flower color varies from pure white through to purples. Bulbs are available for sale online from participating nurseries Nurseries at various times depending on the species
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Available for sale from the following growers
'Sylvan Vale' 375 Olinda Creek Rd, Kalorama, VIC.3766
Including a large range of Rare and unusual bulbs, corms and perennials
www.tonkinsbulbs.com.au
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com
P.O. Box 369 New Norfolk TAS 7140
Huge range of Spring and Summer flowering Bulbs
www.vogelvry.com.au
365 Lighthouse Rd Wynyard. TAS 7325
PH 03 6442 2012
email to: sales@vdqbulbs.com.au
www.vdqbulbs.com.au
2 Jacksons Hill Rd, Menzies Creek VIC 3159
Hundreds of different varieties of daffodils as well as other beautiful spring & autumn flowering bulbs for home gardeners. Free colour catalogues available. Tulips, Daffodils,Alliums, Freesias, Iris and many other bulbs.
www.daffodilbulbs.com.au