Crocuses signal the arrival of spring. Goblet-shaped, striped crocuses look particularly cheery when planted in grass and allowed to spread freely
Crocuses are one of the best bulbs to plant in the lawn
Enjoy spring
crocuses
Crocuses bring colour to spring and can be planted in lawns, borders, under trees or in containers. Camilla Phelps offers her selection of the best for all options
Many species and cultivars Crocuses grow from corms, rather than bulbs – the main difference being that they don’t have scaly layers and fleshy leaves. The grass-like foliage of crocuses has an attractive signature silver stripe up the centre and these leaves remain after the flowers have 28 AMATEUR GARDENING 22 OCTOBER 2022
faded to capture energy for the next growing season. There are many species and cultivars to choose from that originate from a wide geographical area, but most crocuses require well-drained soil and sunlight – Avon bulbs recommends at least half a day in full sun. A few, such as the Tuscan varieties, are better for damp soil and can cope with some shade. Crocus colours The most common crocuses are the larger Dutch hybrids that tend to flower later, while Crocus tommasinianus varieties are among the best for naturalising in grass. But if you get the crocus bug, there are many species to collect – some of which might require a bit more cossetting in a greenhouse. Typical crocus colours range from white through to yellow, purple and orange, and these look pretty and
jewel-like all mixed up together. But for a spring wow factor, they need to be planted densely and in quantity – whether it’s a bowlful of a striking singlecoloured crocuses for a table display, or a carpet of crocuses in the lawn. Planting depth Crocuses are best planted in late autumn before the first frosts. Whether planting in the ground or in pots, the depth for the corms is about 4-6in (1015cm) deep. If you want crocuses to naturalise in grass, the most effective way is to lift the turf, plant the corms and replace the turf. The deeper you plant the corms, the harder it is for hungry squirrels and mice to pilfer them – or you can cover the bulbs with wire mesh. Yet aside from the corms themselves, crocus flowers will provide plenty of food for wildlife as early pollinators will flock to their vibrant blooms.
Where to buy Avon bulbs avonbulbs.co.uk Farmer Gracy farmergracy.co.uk
Peter Nyssen peternyssen.com Rare Plants rareplants.co.uk
All photographs Alamy unless otherwise credited
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HEN the first crocuses appear you know that spring is just around the corner, so why not plant some now, as winter looms, to give yourself something to look forward to? We can always make room for crocuses – they are great for planting in lawns, borders, under trees and shrubs or in containers, and they are guaranteed to bring a burst of welcome colour at the end of winter. The earliest flowering crocuses come into bloom from February onwards, making both the perfect accompaniment and successor for other early flowers such as snowdrops, daffodils and anemones. They will also naturalise once planted in the ground and you can watch your crocus collection multiply and spread with each year.
