Crocus

Blooming in late winter to very early spring; most Crocus's can reach up to 6 inches in height and eventually clumping to the same width. The mid to dark green leaves are grassy linear and somewhat erect and often have a silver midrib. Crocus's should never be cut back until the foliage turns yellow later in spring. They are excellent for naturalizing under the bases of trees, borders, planting in groundcover and rock gardens.
With some exceptions, most Crocus's are hardy north to zone 3 and grow well in either sun or partial shade but require well drained soil.
Spring blooming Crocus's should be planted in early autumn at 3 inches in depth. Fertilize with slow release at time of planting.
They can be lifted and divided every 3 or 4 years and protected from rodents.
Deer tolerant however mice and squirrels may eat the bulbs, many are drought tolerant as well.
Many species not found in this article but are of great potential in cold climates, may be found in this link.
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=120&taxon_id=108403

* photos taken on Mar 1 2012 in Columbia, MD


* photos taken in Columbia, MD on March 2010








* photos of unknown source on internet










* photos taken on April 14 2011 in Columbia, MD



* photos taken on Mar 19 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 2 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 15 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 1 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 1 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 8 2018 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Mar 1 2018 in Columbia, MD

Descriptions under construction

Crocus cancellatus
* excellent photo link found on internet
http://plants.nature4stock.com/?page_id=893

Crocus cartwrightianus ( Cartwright Crocus )
* excellent photo link found on internet
http://plants.nature4stock.com/?page_id=636

Crocus flavus ( Yellow Crocus )
It is native fron the Balkans in southeastern Europe, to Turkey. It naturalized easily.
The fragrant, yellow flowers appear during early spring.

* photos taken on Mar 19 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 8 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 3 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 2 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 28 2023 in Columbia, MD

* excellent photo link found on internet
http://plants.nature4stock.com/?page_id=2817

Crocus korolkowii ( Korolkow Crocus )
Very leafy and up to 8 inches in height with shiny green-yellow starry flowers in late winter that are striped and veined bronze. The flowers are up to 3 inches in size and last up to 30 days. It even blooms in March in Lenningrad.

Crocus olivieri ( Oliver Crocus )
* excellent photo link found on internet
http://plants.nature4stock.com/?page_id=939

Crocus reticulatus ( Reticled Crocus )
* excellent photo link found on internet
http://plants.nature4stock.com/?page_id=2691

Crocus sativus
Pale purple flowers veined deep purple during mid-autumn.

Crocus sieberi ( Sieber's Crocus )
* excellent photo link found on internet
http://plants.nature4stock.com/?page_id=952

Crocus tommasinianus ( Tommy Crocus )
Naturalizes easily and blooms in late winter with lavender flowers.
Reaches up to 6 x 10 inches in size, it is native to deciduous woodland in southeastern Europe ( from southern Hungary to Bulgaria; south to Albania and Yugoslavia ).

* photos taken on Mar 14 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 20 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 21 2020 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Mar 8 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 28 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Ruby Giant'
Rapid growing with leaves up to 10 inches in length and red purple flowers.

Crocus vernuus ( Dutch Crocus )
Reaching up to 6 x 10 inches in size with leaves up to 14 inches in length and flowers up to 6 inches long; this Crocus is excellent for naturalizing.
The flowers are purple, lilac or white often white inside and striped darker purple on the outside. Dislikes dry summers.

* photos taken on Mar 21 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 11 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 17 2021 in Columbia, MD

'Pickwick'
Bold large white flowers that are heavily striped purple.

* photos taken on Mar 13 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 1 2023 in Columbia, MD

FALL CROCUS

* photos taken on Oct 21 2014 @ Smithsonian Inst., Washington, DC

* photos taken on Nov 19 2016 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

Colchicum autumnale

* photos taken on Oct 10 2022 in Columbia, MD

Crocus speciosus
A fast colonizing, widespread native from Turkey through Russia.
The lilac ( veined purple ) flowers are creamy-white throated. They appear during autumn.