Autumn Crocus
These bulbous beauties are a welcome surprise in
the late garden:
Description:
Autumn crocus have an ethereal, fairylike appeal.
Their blossoms are like little lanterns in the
low light of the season, with diaphanous petals
that seem to glow from within. Many of the autumn
flowering crocus species have cool lavender blue
petals and fiery orange stamens and stigmas that
are just meant to consort with blazing fall
foliage.
Autumn crocus have petite corms (bulblike storage
structures), flowers, and narrow, grassy foliage
that fit well in small plots and rock gardens.
Unlike many spring-flowering bulbs, autumn crocus
do not require division to remain vigorous, making
them ideal for easy-care, naturalized plantings.
WHAT TO KNOW...
Plant type: Bulb
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Flower color: White, blue, purple, multicolored
Foliage color: Green
Flowering season: Fall
Height when mature: 4 - 6 inches
Width when mature: 6 inches
Family/Genus:
The 30 to 40 fall-blooming species of crocus are
members of the iris family. The genus name,
Crocus, comes from the Greek for saffron; it is
the stigmas of the persnickety Crocus sativus
that have supplied the world with that pricey
golden spice and dye since ancient times.
History/Lore:
The Arabs introduced C. sativus to Spain; the
Crusades brought saffron to Northern Europe. The
powder was used as a hair dye, for painting
manuscripts, and medicinally — for mental illness,
the plague, and an assortment of aches and pains.
Fall-flowering crocus is native to Europe, the
Mediterranean, North Africa, and Asia Minor.
Most species bloom without the accompaniment of
leaves, prompting the colorful folk names "naked
boys" and "naked ladies." Crocuses symbolize
"abuse not"; spring crocuses in particular
symbolize "youthful gladness."
CROCUS TIPS
Although you can plant spring-blooming bulbs up
to the first frost, small bulbs such as crocuses
benefit from a little extra time to get settled
in--so early fall generally works best as a
planting time. Here are a few additional
pointers to ensure that your crocuses usher in
spring with the maximum impact:
Choose firm, plump bulbs, rejecting those that are
soft or starting to show signs of growth.
Plant bulbs in a location that receives full or
partial sun. Make sure your planting site is well
drained; you can improve drainage if necessary by
adding a few inches of compost. Make sure you
don't cut crocus foliage after blooming stops;
the foliage needs to ripen and die back naturally
to sustain the bulb for next year.
