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.
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