Diminutive Spring Beauty has six-petaled, pale lilac flowers with variable, exterior dark grape-purple flames, a paler lavender-purple interior, pale yellow anthers and grass-like foliage with narrow, median silvery stripes. Species or Snow Crocus are the earliest Crocus to flower, about two weeks before their Large Flowering siblings. Species Crocus are the best for early spring lawn tapestries: hold off mowing the lawn until the foliage has died back. Drifts are also lovely in garden borders and rock gardens. A bit shorter than other Species Crocus, Spring Beauty stands about 3" tall with graceful six-petaled flowers that open and close on sunny days, and grass-like foliage with narrow, median silvery stripes. It has a fibrous (reticulate) tunic. Deer-resistant, they naturalize readily in well-draining soil and in full to partial sunlight. They may be a target for squirrels that may dig up newly planted bulbs for a snack, or for transplant elsewhere. You’ll need about nine corms (bulbs) per square foot for a dense planting.

Crocus Class: Species. Bulb size: 5 cm/up. Full to partial sunlight. Bloom time in horticultural zone 5: Late March/early April. Plant 4" deep and 3" to 4" apart. HZ: 4-8. Height: 3". (Crocus are also good for forcing indoors over the winter. Pot them up in mid-October and precool them at a consistent, dark 38°F to 45°F for eight to ten weeks with moderate watering. Bring them into the house~they will bloom about four weeks later.)

Crocus are The Art & Soul of Spring.

Crocus Horticultural Tips        Stinze Plantings