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Beautiful Crocus Flowers Bloom in Both Spring and Fall
By Angela Johnson
BEAUTIFUL CROCUS FLOWERS BLOOM BOTH IN SPRING AND FALL The crocus is one of the first flowers to bloom in early spring. They are various shades of white, yellow, and purple, with most crocus having green leaves with a white stripe down the middle. There are about eighty species of crocus, and the crocus is part of the iris family. Last fall I bought some crocus bulbs, but didn't have the time to dig a nice bed to plant them in. So I went around the yard and planted bulbs wherever I found a bare spot in the lawn. This spring, I enjoyed seeing them peek up through the grass. The pretty color helped chase winter away and remind me spring was here. After the flowers bloomed and the green stems turned brown, I mowed the grass and you'd never even know they were there. This fall, I'm going to plant some more crocus; both in a flower bed and some more around in the lawn. Crocus "bulbs" are actually crocus "corms", which have a flat end and a pointy end. Corms are solid and have a papery outer covering, similar to the covering on garlic bulbs. In the spring, the crocus corm that was planted in autumn gets completely used up as it grows and flowers. Before going dormant, the plant makes a new corm and often more than one. That's why it's important not to mow the grass while the leaves are still green. It's best to wait six weeks after they finish blooming and set the mower blades to a high setting. HOW AND WHEN TO PLANT CROCUS: Plant Crocus bulbs (corms) in the fall. Look around for a sunny area where the ground doesn't normally get too wet or soggy. You might want to find a spot where you can see the crocuses bloom from your window. Plant crocus corms with the pointed side up. Dig a hole about 2 inches deep and plant the corms about 2 or 3 inches apart. You can plant crocus throughout your lawn, in flower beds, and in pots. For best results, work the soil a little, adding compost or a little plant fertilizer. But crocus are hardy plants and should grow even without extra help. Afterwards, you can put a thin layer of much if you like. Crocuses are small corms, so they dry out faster than larger bulbs. Plant the crocus in early fall as soon as you buy them. You can buy crocus at many retail and home improvement stores, but the packages will probably not be labeled with their scientific name. If you want to plant a particular type of crocus, buy from a well known nursery or mail order store. Crocuses do well in cold to moderate winter weather. They won't grow in hot climates, although you might try growing them in pots if you have a cool room in the house.
Crocuses don't have insect problems and are resistant to disease, but squirrel like to eat new corms. If you have squirrels in the area, you need to protect your corms. You can lay chicken wire on top of the ground after planting. If the corms are planted in a garden, you can cover the wire with mulch to hide it. It you're planting in your yard, you may want to leave the wire exposed so you remember it's there and place some flags or markers nearby. FALL OR AUTUMN CROCUS Some crocus species grow in the fall, adding color when most other plants are dry and brown. One of the fall crocus species is the Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus), which is where the spice saffron comes from. Saffron is the world's most expensive spice. Each flower bloom has three bright red stigmas. If you want to try growing the saffron crocus and use the stigmas for cooking, make sure you buy the bulbs from a reputable nursery. There are many species of fall crocus and you want to make sure you buy the right one. I took all these photos of crocus except for the photo of many crocus covering a lawn. This photo is of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, taken by Vironevaeh on Flickr. |
Small Town and Rural Life (my blog)
| Cooking with saffron
          
Purple crocus buds
Crocus buds in grass yard
Purple crocus blooms
Crocus in bloom
Lavendar colored crocus
Several crocus in bloom
Purple and white crocus
Crocus bloom close-up
Inside view of crocus bloom
Crocus peeking through grass
Missouri Botanical Gardens, by Vironevaeh on Flickr
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A very well thought out and organized intel. It is beautiful also! The crocus is one of my favorite flowers too. I appreciate the thought, "helped chase winter away and remind me spring was here." That is it exactly! When one sees the spring crocus there is hope that cold weather is gone for another year. My fall crocus are getting so large now, I think they are going to put on a real showy display for us in time.
All the best,
Laraine
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed reading the intel. This fall I'm going to plant some fall crocuses so I can enjoy them twice a year.
I love crocuses.The park behind my building has spring crocuses that have gone wild. They usually bloom by early to mid February (this is Vancouver). Every spring I lie on my belly photographing the crocuses. My pictures look much like yours. I didn't know there were fall crocuses, and that you could grow your own supply of saffron. Wish I had a garden. If I did, I would be trying just that. Thanks for this wonderful intel. I enjoyed reading it.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Maybe you could plant some crocuses in pots if you have a place to keep them outdoors.
Thanks Angela. If you plant Crocus in the spring as part of your lawn, what happens when you mow the lawn? Or did I miss something here? They sure are pretty though...
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
I wait until the blooms and leaves die off (about 5-6 weeks) and then mow. The new corms (bulbs) are below ground. I can mow all summer and not bother them. Then in spring, before mowing season begins, the crocuses bloom.
Hi Angela, Thanks for sharing your intels and beautiful pictures. The purple crocuses are just beautiful. The color is so vibrant.. I will be following you and hope to see more intels from you soon.
Regards,
Gina
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
I'm glad you enjoyed this intel. I love taking photographs. It's been a while since I've been on Qondio. I just submitted a new intel today.
Your pictures are absolutely stunning. Oh and by the way I like the Intel as well... 
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