Focus on Crocus

The spring crocus is so joyous. They are hardy and perennial so they will keep coming back each year. The leaves are small and die down in late spring disappearing completely so no residual messy leaves are left. Crocus prefer conditions that are free draining rather than waterlogged and can be great for pots and rockeries as well as planting in drifts in the grass or under trees. Generally, they like to be in a sunny aspect.

There are various types of crocus. My favourites are any of the species and hybrids that naturalise well. This means that the number of flowers will multiply year on year and are such good value for money. This group of crocus tend to flower quite early, between January and March, depending on the weather. The size of flower will depend upon the exact variety but the height will be 4 - 10cm. For a white flower with an egg-yoke yellow centre choose crocus ‘Malyi’, it’s very reliable.

For a shock of orange crocus ‘Orange Monarch’ has the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). A stunningly beautiful pale lilac one is crocus ‘De Jager’. This has a light lavender petals with a violet strip in the centre, and the outer petals are very slightly tinged yellow, very beautiful indeed. If you are after a strong deep dark purple then I suggest crocus ‘Ruby Giant’. For a blast of different colours, purple, white and yellow all

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within one flower, then the easy to remember ‘Tricolour’ is the one for you.

There is a group of crocus known as ‘Large Dutch Flowering’ which are reliably bigger, being 10-12cm tall and are particularly useful for pots and window boxes because they show up above the rim of the pot. These tend to flower a little later, usually in March. From this group there is a yellow variety with the AGM badge called ‘Golden Yellow’. One of the loveliest white forms of all crocus falls within this Large Dutch Flowering group and it is beautifully named Crocus ‘Joan of Arc’; its petals are just pure white. Crocus ‘Pickwick’ is another large variety and is unusual because its petals are silvery white and veined with purple.

To seek a wider and more unusual range of colours the chrysanthus varieties are definitely worth investigating. In particular the Crocus ‘Blue Pearl’ will astonish you with the bright beauty of its light blue petals and pearly blue insides set off with a yellow centre.

Happy gardening.

By local garden designer, Francesca Sinclair

For bespoke contemporary and traditional garden design www.francescasinclair.co.uk 07901 547 360