Flowers. Photo from Gee Tee

See photo from Brent and Becky's Bulbs

Form. Photo from Kevock Garden

Form. Photo from Gee Tee

See photo from Wild Ginger Farm

Plant Name

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Crocus biflorus 'Miss Vain'

(Crocus biflorus 'Purity')

Crocus is a Chaldean name meaning "saffron". In the wild, the plants are found over much of Europe, especially around the Mediterranean, in North Africa, and in Western Asia.

Common Name

Scotch Crocus

Soil

Sand, Chalk

Sun Aspect

Full Sun (Full Sun for 4 hours a day) and Part Shade

Soil Moisture

Moist

Plant Type

Perennial Corm

Height x Spread in feet

4 inches x 2 inches

Foliage

The Mid-Green - with a White band in the centre - 4 inch long leaves appear with the flowers; becoming 10-12 inches long once the flowers have withered.

Flower Colour in Month(s). Seed

Fragrant bright White Flowers with pale Blue base, Orange style and light Gray throat in February-March with the leaves. Crocus corms have star-like flowers when open; they close at night and remain closed on dark, cloudy days.

Comment

The 2 natural divisions of Crocus are:-

• 1. Autumn-flowering species and hybrids and
• 2. Winter- and Spring-flowering species

and the relevant division is added to the Plant Description Page Title.

Crocus biflorus ssp. biflorus is native to Italy, Sicily, Rhodes and northwestern Turkey.

"Plant from September to December 5-8cm deep and 5cm apart. Can be planted under trees, under shrubs, in borders and containers. Plant in groups for the best effect." from J. Parker Dutch Bulbs Ltd.

"Plant in waves in the garden or lawn. If planting in the lawn wait at least 6 weeks after the crocus have flowered to mow the lawn. Crocus will multiply and come back year after year if left undisturbed." from Netherland Bulb Company.

Plant 4 inches deep in average well-drained, moisture-retentive soil and 6 inches apart in September. If planting in clay soil, remove soil to 8 inches deep, work very sharp sand or gravel into the bottom of the area, and mix a little with the clay soil to bring the depth up to 3-4 inches, before placing the bulbs in position and refilling with 50% soil 50% sharp sand.
Plant at the edges of paths, drives and small beds towards the front of borders. They can also be planted 4 inches deep in 10 inch pots with 50% sharp sand and 50% Multipurpose Compost mixture.
Plant under turf on sandy or chalk soil. The grass should be mown short a month before flowers appear and all mowing stopped whilst the crocus are in flower and leaf. Let the foliage die down in the spring before cutting the grass.
The larger-sized corms of particular varieties can be rested in the neck of a crocus vase so that the bottom of the corm is just above the water level, then place on a window-cill in the kitchen to give you the flowers before planting out in the garden when in leaf.

Available from Gee Tee , Kevock Garden and Wild Ginger Farm.