Flower. Photo from R. V. Roger

See photo from Alpine Garden Society

Foliage. Photo from R. V. Roger

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Crocus niveus

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

Saffron

Soil

Sand, Chalk

Sun Aspect

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

Soil Moisture

Moist

Plant Type

Perennial Corm

Height x Spread in feet

4-6 inches x 15 inches

Foliage

The Dark Green leaves appear with the flowers; becoming 1-10 inches long.

Flower Colour in Month(s). Seed

White, an Orange-Yellow throat, Scarlet stigma, 3-4 inches in height, blooms in November with the leaves.

Comment

These Autumn-flowering crocus are "just as easy to grow as the spring flowering crocus, by selection of varieties; these will flower from late autumn through the winter and are often just finishing as the spring ones start. They all generally require the same well drained spot and should be planted approx. 7.5cm (3”) deep." from R.V. Roger.

This bulb is "a variable species with white or lilac flowers with yellow throats and very distinct orange styles. Is best grown in a pot in a greenhouse but will also grow outside if it can be guaranteed a dry summer period." from R.V. Roger.

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.

Native to Greece and introduced prior to 1900. This is regarded as being the best of the white-flowered crocus.

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. The autumn-flowering crocuses will have made their leaf growth and the foliage will have died down by the time in the spring when the grass needs cutting.
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 R. V. Roger with Bulbmeister in USA and Chiltern Seeds