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Do crocuses spread?
About Crocuses Crocus bulbs (technically called “corms”) not only provide winter garden color, but they naturalize, meaning that they spread and come back year after year—with minimum care—for an ever-larger display.
What month do crocus bloom?
Flowers will appear the first fall after planting (generally in September or October) and last for about 3 weeks. The grass-like leaves may emerge soon after the flowers or wait until the following spring.
How do you identify crocus?
They have grassy leaves that usually have a white stripe along the center. Crocus grow two to six inches tall, with a spread of three to six inches. The leaves are grass-like. The flowers can be yellow, white, purple, or a mixture of these colors.
Where do crocus flowers grow?
Crocuses are native to woodland, scrub, and meadows from sea level to alpine tundra from the Mediterranean, through North Africa, central and southern Europe, the islands of the Aegean, the Middle East and across Central Asia to Xinjiang in western China.
How many years do crocus bulbs last?
5 yearsCrocuses do well when they are planted in full sun or partial shade. How long do crocus bulbs last? With proper care, nutrients and good soil, crocus bulbs can thrive for up to 5 years.
How many times a year do crocuses bloom?
Crocuses will start blooming any time between late winter and early spring, often with no warning — one day, no growth, the next day blooms! Each bulb produces several blooms.
What do you do with crocus after flowering?
Remove faded flowers leaving the leaves intact. Move the plant to a warm sunny window. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Fertilize with a dilute solution of any houseplant fertilizer.
Why is crocus poisonous?
The common garden plant autumn crocus contains colchicine and its derivatives. Colchicine poisoning causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea within hours. Several days later, multiorgan failure, pancytopenia, and cardiovascular collapse occur. 1, 2 Severe colchicine poisoning is associated with high mortality.
Are crocus toxic to humans?
All parts of autumn crocuses are poisonous, the greatest concentrations of toxic alkaloids occurring in the flowers and seeds. The corm is also toxic containing 0.05% alkaloids, in contrast to 0.2% in the seeds. However, the corms are large enough to contain toxic doses of the alkaloids.
What is special about the crocus flower?
2 days agoThey bloom bright and early, bringing much needed color after a long winter. These small-but-mighty plants with their colorful blooms and sweet fragrance lure hungry bees out of their hives. Crocus plants will multiply and come back year after year, bringing more blooms with them each time.
Do you deadhead crocuses?
deadheading. You don't need to deadhead your crocuses as the flowers will fade naturally. They do look dainty and pretty in small vases, so you can pick them for a short indoor display. Leave all foliage in place until it has completely died back.
What do crocuses symbolize?
Crocus flowers have a rich symbolism of rebirth thanks to the early blooming flowers in spring. Other symbolic meanings include joy and romantic devotion. These flowers are native to the Mediterranean, Asia, and much of Europe. They range in color from white to purple and pink.
Why did my crocus not come up?
Inadequate Planting Depth Here's why you have to be careful: a crocus bulb, or any bulb for that matter, might fail to produce buds if it's planted too deep. This can cause bulbs to rot or to produce foliage but no blooms, as they have been busy putting energy into corm development.
Do crocus like sun or shade?
to full sunCrocus like well-drained soil in a partial to full sun location. You may even grow them in your lawn where they will add a bright twinkle to the awakening grass. Early foraging bees appreciate their nectar as well. Plant crocus bulbs (corms) in informal groups, just three inches deep and 2-3 inches apart.
What do you do with crocus after they bloom?
Remove faded flowers leaving the leaves intact. Move the plant to a warm sunny window. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Fertilize with a dilute solution of any houseplant fertilizer.
What temperature do crocus bloom?
Hardiness Zone: Crocuses are winter hardy in zones 3-8. Like many other spring-blooming bulbs, they need a cold winter in order to bloom properly. This means at least 10 weeks of temperatures at or below 45°F. If you are unsure about your growing zone, click here for a zone map.
What is the color of crocus flowers?
Golden crocus – C. chrysanthus. These crocuses contain beautiful orange-yellow petals and have a very sweet, pleasant aroma. There are also many hybrids of this flower so they can include blue petals with yellow centers, pure white petals, pale blue petals, pale yellow petals, or white petals with purple edges.
What is the color of crocus?
Cream Beauty Crocus. As the name suggests, these crocuses have large, beautiful petals in creamy-white and light-yellow color and beautiful orange centers that highlight their beauty. This type of crocus is the winner of several international flower awards and it is a very reliable performer in your garden.
What is the name of the flower that blooms in a variety of colors?
Snow Crocus – Species Mixture. As the name suggests, these flowers bloom in several colors at a time, including white, blue, purple, and yellow. They are early bloomers and have graceful, four-inch-tall petals that open and close according to how sunny it is.
How long does it take for crocuses to bloom?
This extra-large crocus blooms a bit later than some other types of crocus and its vibrant purple petals with white highlights make it one of the most noticeable. If you stagger your planting times with these crocuses, it can extend your blooming times. When the sun comes out, the petals get wider, showing off their bright-orange centers. After roughly six weeks of blooming, you can leave the foliage until it withers, which makes the flowers multiply and come alive.
What color are firefly crocus petals?
The thing that makes this variety unique and different is the fact that the petals are bi-colored in both light lavender and pale yellow with a yellow center to highlight it even more. Originating in the Mediterranean area, the Firefly crocus grows well in rock gardens but not in clay soil.
What is the brightest color of a Bieberstein's crocus?
Bieberstein’s crocus – C. speciosus. Undoubtedly the flashiest fall crocus, the Bieberstein has striking bluish-violet petals and is absolutely striking. There are also other colors available, such as purple and mauve, in part because the species increases very quickly. All of its colors are stunning and eye-catching.
What is the scent of a Prins Claus Crocus?
The Prins Claus crocus has a sweet, spicy scent and petals that are goblet-shaped and white with deep-purple markings on the inside. The same as other crocuses, these flowers look better when dozens of blooms are planted together so that a full, dense look is achieved.
When does a crocus bloom?
Purpureus Grandiflorus crocus (Crocus vernus 'Purpureus Grandiflorus'): This variety blooms in the spring with abundant violet flowers. Tricolor crocus (Crocus sieberi 'Tricolor'): This plant blooms in late winter to early spring and features bands of lilac, white, and yellow on its petals.
What is a crocus plant?
Growing from bulb-like structures called corms, crocuses are low-growing perennial plants from the iris ( Iridaceae) family. In many regions, crocus flowers ( Crocus spp.) mark the arrival of spring. These early bloomers can often be seen peeking up through the snow well before any other flowers appear on the landscape.
How to prolong crocuses bloom?
To extend the bloom time, mix different species of crocuses in your garden. In addition, planting them where other plants will fill in and hide their foliage will help to prolong blooming and give the crocuses a chance to store energy for the next season. Crocuses fade quickly once the weather gets hot.
How many species of crocuses are there?
There are more than 80 crocus species, but most of the bulbs available commercially are hybrids derived from careful cross-breeding of selected species. While crocuses are often considered bulbs, strictly speaking they are corms, as are gladiolas.
How to extend the bloom time of crocuses?
If you can't, don't worry about it too much; the plant will grow toward the light. Adding some bulb food or bone meal to the soil will ensure the plants have all the nutrients they need to get started . To extend the bloom time, mix different species of crocuses in your garden.
How long does it take for a crocus to bloom?
They have a fast growth rate and typically bloom in two to five weeks after the temperature rises and the bulbs begin active growth in spring. Botanical Name. Crocus spp. Common Name. Crocus. Plant Type. Perennial bulb. Mature Size. 6 inches tall, 1 to 3 inches wide.
What is the difference between a corm and a bulb?
Corms differ from true bulbs in that the corm is modified stem tissue, while a true bulb is modified leaf tissue. Featured Video.
When do crocuses bloom?
Some species, known as "autumn crocus", flower in late summer and autumn, often before their leaves appear. They should not be confused with a different genus of autumn-flowering plants, Colchicum. Autumn-flowering species of crocus include:
What is the name of the crocus that blooms in the fall?
Though some true crocuses bloom with the fall (autumnal) rains, after summer's heat and drought, the name autumn crocus is often used as a common name for Colchicum, which is in its own family ( Colchicaceae) in the lily order Liliales, and which has six stamens; it is also known as meadow saffron, though unlike true saffron, the plant is toxic.
What are the different types of crocuses?
The varieties cultivated for decoration mainly represent five species: C. vernus, C. chrysanthus, C. flavus, C. sieberi, and C. tommasinianus. Among the first flowers to bloom in spring, crocuses are popular with gardeners. Their flowering time varies from the late winter C. tommasinianus to the later large hybridized and selected Giant "Dutch crocuses" ( C. vernus ). Crocus flowers and leaves are protected from frost by a waxy cuticle; in areas where snow and frost occasionally occur in the early spring, it is not uncommon to see early flowering crocuses blooming through a light late snowfall.
What is the classification of Crocus speciosus?
Crocus speciosus (Section Nudiscapus, Series Speciosi) The taxonomic classification proposed by Brian Mathew in 1982 was based mainly on three character states: the presence or absence of a prophyll (a basal spathe ); the aspect of the style; the corm tunic.
How many stamens does a crocus have?
A crocus has three stamens, while a similar-looking toxic plant, Colchicum, sometimes popularly referred to as "autumn crocus", has six stamens. In addition, crocus have one style, while Colchicum have three.
Where did the first crocus come from?
The first crocus seen in the Netherlands, where crocus species are not native, were from corms brought back in the 1560s from Constantinople by the Holy Roman Emperor's ambassador to the Sublime Porte, Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq. A few corms were forwarded to Carolus Clusius at the botanical garden in Leiden.
Where is Crocus sativus found?
Frescos showing them are found at the Knossos site on Crete, as well as from the comparably aged Akrotiri site on Santorini.
What flowers do crocuses like?
The crisp white flowers of 'Jeanne D'Arc" look their best when naturalized in a lawn. Crocus flowers fare best in lawns that don't receive heavy summer irrigation, as they prefer to be on the dry side during dormancy. This is another Dutch crocus ( C. vernus ), which generally flowers slightly after the early snow crocuses.
How long does it take for crocuses to bloom?
Most crocuses need 10–14 weeks at temperatures of 35–40 degrees Fahrenheit. Create these conditions by storing crocus bulbs in a refrigerator beginning in late October and then planting them in the late winter for early spring bloom. Make sure not to store crocus bulbs near fruit, which gives off ethylene gas that damages ...
Why is snow crocus called snow crocus?
Also known affectionately as "Tommies," Crocus tommasinianus is resistant to squirrels. The flowers open in the morning and close up at night, but, on cloudy, rainy days, they don't open at all. It's called snow crocus because it's among the first crocuses to open in spring.
Why is Crocus tommasinianus called snow crocus?
It's called snow crocus because it's among the first crocuses to open in spring. Native Area: Southeastern Europe.
What is a skyline crocus?
'Skyline' has striated petals that resemble 'Pickwick,' only with a blue rather than purple tinge. This crocus isn't always available in the trade, but you may find it at online specialty nurseries and garden swaps. This is a cultivar of C. chrysanthus, another of those sometimes called snow crocuses. It's also sometimes called "golden crocus," since many varieties are golden yellow. 'Skyline' blooms very early, before the Dutch crocuses.
How long have crocuses been around?
Crocuses have been in cultivation since the 1500s, and there are hundreds of varieties available — consider these 14 crocus varieties for your garden.
What flowers do best in a lawn?
The crisp white flowers of 'Jeanne D'Arc" look their best when naturalized in a lawn. Crocus flowers fare best in lawns that don't receive heavy summer irrigation, as they prefer to be on the dry side during dormancy. This is another Dutch crocus ( C. vernus ), which generally flowers slightly after the early snow crocuses.
What is the name of the crocus plant?
The ones in garden stores and catalogues may be labelled with their scientific name, but the cultivars are often identified by lovely descriptive names such as blue pearl, orange monarch, and ruby giant snow crocus.
What is the part of a crocus called?
The part of a crocus that's planted is often called a bulb, but technically it's a corm. Both bulbs and corms are generally rounded and firm structures that develop underground and store food for the plant. They both have the ability to produce new leaves, stems, and flowers.
How many crocus flowers are needed to make one pound of saffron?
LadyofHats, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain license. The stigmas of the saffron crocus are used to make the spice. About 75,000 crocus flowers or 225,000 stigmas (three per flower) are needed to make one pound of saffron. pinterest-pin-it. Crocus sativus, the source of saffron.
What is the name of the plant with the same flowers?
The Autumn Crocus . The autumn crocus is another plant with lovely flowers. It doesn't belong to the genus Crocus, however, even though its flowers look superficially similar to those of crocuses and its common name is similar. The scientific name of the autumn crocus is Colchicum autumnale.
What is the name of the plant that produces saffron?
One species produces the exotic and expensive spice known as saffron. Another plant referred to as a crocus produces colchicine, a potentially poisonous chemical that has medicinal uses, including the treatment of gout. Plant breeding techniques have produced a wide variety of crocuses.
Where do crocuses grow?
Crocus Flowers and Plants. Crocuses belong to the genus Crocus, which is part of the iris family. They are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa but grow in many other parts of the world as well. They have beautiful and often colourful flowers.
Do crocuses bloom in the yard?
The crocus is such a lovely little bloom to appear in the yard . I love it when I step out to a sea of them...just out of nowhere it would seem. I have never planted any...but often my yard will be covered with them.
How big does a crocus grow?
Resembling crocuses with its cup-shaped flowers, it produces its strap-like foliage, way later, in spring. Growing up to 6-8 inches tall (15-20 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm), this Colchicum naturalizes easily and will come back year after year. Add to Collection. Add to Any Collection.
When do crocus bloom in the fall?
Perfect for adding a burst of color to the fall garden, Colchicum (Autumn Crocus) bears big flowers in shades of purplish-pink and white in September or October.
What is the name of the perennial that blooms in the fall?
Appearing long before the leaves, the attractive blooms are borne on deep purple stems. This cormous perennial makes a truly unique display in the late summer to early fall garden. Resembling crocuses with its cup-shaped flowers, it produces its strap-like foliage, way later, in spring. Growing up to 6-8 inches tall and wide (15-20 cm), this Colchicum naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
How big are Colchicum byzantinum?
Award-winning Colchicum byzantinum is an early fall-blooming Colchicum which bears up to 20 small, funnel-shaped, soft lilac flowers, 4-6 in. long (10-15 cm), with a prominent central white stripe. Appearing long before the leaves, they are borne on white stems. This perennial makes a truly unique display in the fall garden. Resembling crocuses, it produces its 5-6 broad, ribbed, dark green leaves, way later, in spring. Growing up to 6-8 inches tall and wide (15-20 cm), this Colchicum naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
What is a Colchicum agrippinum?
Award-winning Colchicum agrippinum is an early fall-blooming Colchicum which bears crocus-shaped, checkered flowers, 5 in. long (12 cm), with purple-pink checks. Appearing long before the leaves, this perennial makes a truly unique display in the fall garden. Resembling crocuses, it produces its 6-inch strap-shaped, slightly wavy, ...
How tall does Colchicum grow?
Growing up to 6-12 inches tall (15-30 cm), Colchicum naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
What is the best crocus for fall?
Colchicum 'Waterlily' (Meadow Saffron) Perfect for adding a burst of color to the fall garden, Colchicum 'Waterlily' is one of the showiest of the Autumn Crocuses. This double-flowered variety bears big flowers, 3 in. long (8 cm), with silky lilac-pink flowers consisting of more than 20 petals.
What color are crocuses in the fall?
Nearly 80 other crocus species enliven spring or fall across USDA zones 3 though 10 with chalice-like flowers in a rainbow of white, yellow, blue or purple hues. Providing the proper crocus care following your plants' annual displays helps to ensure encore performances for years to come.
How do crocuses grow?
Crocuses grow from bulblike structures known as corms. Each corm contains all the nutrients that a single plant needs to complete its life, and each survives for only one growing season. The flowers that appear in your garden year after year emerge from new cormlets that form from buds on the old, dying ones.
What zone do Dutch Crocuses grow in?
Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Do crocuses have to be cut back?
If your crocuses have naturalized into large colonies, you might be tempted to cut their foliage back before it withers. But as long as the leaves are green, leave them alone.
When do crocuses bloom?
In September, the autumn crocus emerges from its hibernation to bloom once again in a profusion of clustering flowers.
What color is crocus in autumn?
Some autumn crocus varieties to look for are the purple-red C. agrippinum and the tulipesque blooms of C. speciosum, which are cream colored to begin with and gradually darken into their rosy purplish hues.
What is Autumn Crocus?
The autumn crocus or meadow saffron is a member of the lily family (Liliaceae), not to be confused with its look alike, the spring-flowering crocus, which is a member of the Iris family (Iridaceae). Hailing from Europe, North Africa, and Asia, the autumn crocus is one species of around 70 in the genus Colchicum. This Colchicum has a rather unusual life cycle in that the colorful flowers appear as its name suggests, in early autumn.
How long does it take for a crocus to become toxic?
These symptoms occur within two to five hours due to the alkaloid colchicines contained in the autumn crocus bulbs.
When does an autumn crocus bloom?
Of course, when growing autumn crocus in the garden, its medicinal properties are not favored but rather the delightful blooms. The colorful blooms of the autumn crocus initially spring from the earth without any accompanying foliage. Short lasting, they fade within two or three weeks, and then lies dormant until the following spring, at which time three to eight, 1 foot (31 cm.) leaves appear and remain until early summer. In September, the autumn crocus emerges from its hibernation to bloom once again in a profusion of clustering flowers.
Why did Greek slaves eat crocus?
Greek slaves were known to have eaten the plant to make them sick, and even to commit suicide. Besides its use as a poison, autumn crocus bulbs have long been utilized for medicinal purposes as well.
What are the different types of lilacs?
Other cultivars of note include: 1 Violet flowering ‘Autumn Queen’ 2 ‘Giant’ with white and mauve blooms 3 ‘Waterlily’ with unique lilac double petals 4 “Lilac Wonder’ with lilac pink blooms 5 Purplish mauve ‘Violet Queen’ with a white center 6 Violet blooming ‘Conquest’
Overview
Crocus is a genus of seasonal flowering plants in the family Iridaceae (iris family) comprising about 100 species of perennials growing from corms. They are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underground, that bear relatively large white, yellow, orange or purple flowers and then become dormant after flowering. Many are cultivated for their flowers, appearing in autumn, winter, o…
Description
General
Crocus display the general characteristics of family Iridaceae, which include basal cauline (arising from the aerial stem) leaves that sheath the stem base, hermaphrodite flowers that are relatively large and showy, the perianth petaloid with 2 whorls of 3 tepals each and septal nectaries. The flowers have 3 stame…
Taxonomy
The crocus was well known to the ancients, being described at least as early as Theophrastus (c. 371 – c. 287 BC), and was introduced into Britain by the Romans, where the saffron crocus was used as a dyestuff. It was reintroduced into Western Europe by the Crusaders. The crocus is mentioned in mediaeval and later herbals, one of the earliest being the 14th century Tractatus de Herbis. William …
Distribution and habitat
Crocuses are distributed from the Mediterranean, from the Iberian peninsula and North Africa, through central and southern Europe, the islands of the Aegean, the Middle East and across central and southwest Asia to Xinjiang in western China, but most species are restricted to Turkey and Asia Minor and the Balkans, with the Balkan Peninsula having the largest number of species ( with at least 31), form…
Ecology
The life cycle of Crocus species begins with the seed, germinating to a seedling, and a mature plant in 3–5 years, however seeds may remain dormant in the soil for several years. The germination stages was first described and illustrated by Maw in his 1886 monograph. In its first year, the crocus produces only a single leaf and creates a corm covered by a thin tunic, about 5–8 mm in size, depende…
Cultivation
The economic importance of the genus is largely dependent on the single species, Crocus sativus, now known only in cultivation. C. sativus is grown for the production of saffron, an orange-red derivative of its dried stigma, and among the most expensive spices in the world. The estimated worldwide production of C. sativus plants is 205 tons. About 180,000 stigmas from 60,000 flowers are r…
Uses
The corms of crocuses have been used as foodstuffs in Syria. The carotenoids found in the styles of Crocus species, particularly C. sativus have been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, and have led to interest in potential pharmaceutical applications.
Culture
The crocus or krokos has been known since ancient times, and used in decorative arts, such as the Minoan wall paintings in Santorini from ca. 1,600 BC. Representations of the saffron crocus appear frequently in Minoan art [and pervade Aegean art from the Early Bronze Age to the Mycenaean period. Theophrastos (4th century BC) described the saffron crocus as being valued a…