Winter- and Spring flowering Species

Crocus aureus Sibth. & Sm.

Native to Greece, Rumania, and Asia Minor. The large, tall, slender flowers are rich brilliant orange-yellow and appear with the first leaves. This is a parent to many varieties.

Crocus biflorus Mill.

Native to Asia Minor and Italy. Medium-sized flowers appear with the leaves ; white, mauvish white, and striped with purple or blue. There are many lovely varieties.

Crocus chrysanthus Herb.

Native to Greece and Asia Minor. Yellow or orange-yellow, globose, medium-sized flowers, appearing before the leaves. Parent of at least twenty-five superb garden hybrids.

Crocus imperati Tenore

Native to central Italy. Named after the sixteenth-century Italian botanist Imperato. Large globose flowers produced before the leaves, with a diameter up to when fully expanded. Externally the petals are yellowish, veined with purple, while internally they are a pale lilac, veined with dark purple. This species requires a drier, sunnier position than other crocuses.

Crocus korolkowi L.

Native to Turkistan. Leaves appear simultaneously with, or slightly after, the flowers. The latter are fragrant, , long and golden- yellow with a darker centre.

Crocus sieberi Gray

Native to the island of Crete. An exceptionally beautiful species with medium-sized globose flowers that appear simultaneously with the foliage. The flower throat is orange and the petals are purple. This is a parent to many fine garden varieties, of which one of the most beautiful is var. versicolor with pale-lilac flowers and a long conspicuous orange-scarlet stigma.

Crocus susianus Ker-Gawl.

Native to southwestern Russia and the Crimea. The leaves and flowers appear simultaneously. One of the smallest-flowered species, but one of the most attractive for its vivid colouring. Petals brilliant orange, vertically striped externally with mahogany lines. Should be planted in masses, when its English common name, Cloth of Gold, can be fully understood and appreciated. Maximum height.

Crocus totnasinianus Herb.

Native to Dalmatia. Flower colour varies from blue to pinkish mauve and the flowers appear with the leaves. The blooms are long and narrow.

Crocus vernus Boiss. & Heldr.

Native to central France. Flowers and leaves appear simultaneously. The flower colour varies from white to purple, but is most frequently silver-grey or lilac with the petals generally striped purple.

Autumn-flowering Species

Crocus byzantinus L.

Native to Europe. One of the most widely cultivated species, frequently listed under the name Crocus iridiflorus. Leaves wider than the other species and without the characteristic white longitudinal stripe. The flowers are also different from most of the other species, resembling a small iris. Flowers appear before the leaves, and are long. The petals are purple-blue externally while the shorter internal petals are pinkish mauve suffused with silver.

Crocus kotschyanus Koch

Native to Asia Minor. This widely cultivated species has produced a great many garden hybrids. Of very vigorous habit and one of the best species for naturalizing. Flowers large, pinkish lilac with an orange mark at the base of each petal. The flowers appear before the leaves.

Crocus longiflorus Raf.

Native to central and southern Italy, and Malta. Flowers fragrant and produced before the foliage. Blooms large, globose, lilac externally, pinkish mauve internally, with an orange throat. Very conspicuous dark-orange stigmata.

Crocus sativus L.

Native to Central Europe and Asia Minor. Flowers and foliage appear together. Large generally lilac-purple flowers, but variable in colour. Long, conspicuous, orange-red stigmata, from which saffron is obtained.

Crocus speciosus Bieb.

Native to Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and the Caucasus Mountains. One of the most important species. with large elongated globose flowers that vary in colour from blue to lavender to bluish white. The blooms appear before the leaves. There are many varieties, several of which are:

var. Aitchisoni, very large lavender-blue flowers

var. Oxonian, intense blue

var. Pollux, violet-blue and silver

Crocus Hybrids

These garden hybrids are more widely cultivated than the species. The flowers are large, conspicuous, and brightly coloured, but they do not possess the elegance, grace, or charm of the smaller-flowered species. The flowers appear at the same time as the leaves in early spring. Their dormant period begins in June. Their range of colours is vast and includes white, purple, orange, yellow, or pinkish mauve, while many have striped or variegated petals. They produce abundant seeds  and naturalize freely. The best planting time is September— October and, except that they are more tolerant of sun, the cultural requirements are the same as for the species.