Crocus sp.
Common Name(s):
Large Flowering Dutch Crocus Mixture
Saffron plant
Synonym:
Bloomers
Flower:
Yellow
Blooms :
Mar
to:
Apr
6 tepals cup shaped
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Iridaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Green
Leaves sheath grass-like with white stripe down center
Fall Color?
NO
Leaves not present
Leaves not present
Photo by:
Heading 6
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Mediterranean/Eastern Europe/Northwest China
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
4-6"
Spread:
4-6"
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Woodland, scrub, meadow
Soil:
Sandy loam
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Low nitrogen, high phosphous and potassium (5-10-10 or a 4-10-6)
Mulch:
Straw or salt hay, chopped shredded leaves
Give a small amount of organic, high phosphorous bulb fertilizer or compost when planting, divide every 3-5 years, needs well-drained compost rich soil, full sun, water during active growth
Long Term:
Winter:
Apply 2-3" layer of mulch
Spring:
Ample moisture, if no rain, then 1/2-1" of water per week, also a light balanced granular or bulb specific fertilizer, remove winter mulch, dig up corms to divide once foliage has completely died
Summer:
Do not water or feed, once foliage has yellowed can gently pull away and remove
Fall:
Great if planted in well-drained compost rich soil
General Care Comments:
Let leaves turn yellow before removing, keep soil dry in summer, water spring and fall, give a balanced low nitrogen fertilizer in early spring, surround corms with wire mesh to protect from predators
Common Problems
Rodents tend to dig up corms for food
Diseases:
Mosaic virus, corm scab, powdery mildew, rust, black rot
Insects:
Aphids, bulb mites, thrips
Environmental Problems:
Too much moisture, animal predation, unseasonal temperature flucuations
Pests:
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.