Common Name: crocus
Type: Bulb
Family: Iridaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 0.25 to 0.33 feet
Spread: 0.10 to 0.25 feet
Bloom Time: February to March
Bloom Description: Orange with dark purple-brown streaks
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Deer, Black Walnut
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Thrives in sandy or gritty soils, but performs poorly in heavy clay soils. Incorporate sand if necessary into planting area to improve soil drainage. Plant corms about 3-4” deep and 3-6” apart in the fall. If planted in the lawn, foliage should be left unmowed until it yellows (about 6 weeks after bloom). Naturalizes by offsets and self-seeding, often forming large drifts over time. Plants go dormant by late spring.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Crocus is a genus of around 100 species of perennial corms native to the Mediterranean region, Middle East, and much of central Asia to western China. The leaves are narrow, strap-like, and typically keeled. One to several cup-shaped flowers with three petals and three tepals (petal-like sepals) will emerge from the corm in spring or fall depending on the species. Plants will go dormant in winter and summer.
Genus name comes from krokos the ancient Greek name for saffron (Crocus sativus.)
'Orange Monarch' is a hybrid crocus selection that features orange petals with contrasting, dark purple-brown streaks. Mature plants will reach 3-4" tall and 1-3" wide.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Squirrels, mice and other rodents can be problems. Squirrels seem particularly adept at locating, digging up and eating newly planted corms. Deer tend to avoid crocus. Crocus are tolerant of black walnut.
Uses
Rock gardens, mixed border fronts, lawns. Mass in drifts of 10 or more corms for the greatest impact. May naturalize to form colonies over time.