Crocusesare cheery precursor of spring . The flyspeck perennial are among the first to burst forward from the primer coat each class , sometimes even popping their heads out in the snow , thanks to a protectivewaxy cuticlecovering their leave and flower petal . And their often - shiny colors — purpleness , yellow , oranges and blues — are a welcome sight after wintertime ’s muted tones .
Spring - blooming crocus , the most prevalent , get along in two varieties : the snow or waste crocus , which blooms first , and the more plebeian Dutch crocus , which blooms later and sport larger blossom . Select crocus speciesbloom in the fall and winter , too . Ready to append some crocuses to your yard ? Here are some lead for cultivating these popular , pretty blossoms .
How To Plant Crocus Bulbs
Fall is the main planting time of year for spring crocus . implant them several weeks before thefirst hard freezecomes , which is in general September to October in northern zone and October to November in southern zona . While the exact dirt composition does n’t matter too much , you do demand to plant crocus in soil that drain well . opine gritty to sandy soils or rock gardens .
" crocus will rot in compact or soggy soil , " says Jen Stark , a master nurseryman and founder ofHappy DIY Home , a gardening and home improvement web log .
Crocuses also postulate to receive partial to full sun , soa few choice planting spotsare in repeated beds , rock garden or under deciduous tree . ( The flowers will blossom and die back before shrubs and tree diagram leaf out . ) Some citizenry enjoy plant bulb right in their lawns . If you desire to try this , make trusted to plant them in clumps and impetus , which is how they grow in the wild . Never embed crocus on the Second Earl of Guilford side of a construction or in dense shade .
Plant each crocus corm ( the name of their bulb - similar industrial plant stem ) 3 to 4 in ( 7 to 10 cm ) mystifying and about 3 inch apart , with the pointed side up . Arrange in diminished groups — say , nine or 10 per square foot — or in magnanimous drifts . Cover well with soil and water .
Caring for Your Crocuses
During the growing season , ensure your crocuses have the equivalent of a half - in to 1 inch ( 1 - 3 cm ) of water per calendar week , whether by rainfall or lacrimation . But do n’t water them during the summer or when they ’re dormant or they may rot . That ’s about it . They do n’t require any pruning or other special care .
crocus will start blooming any meter between tardy winter and early spring , often with no word of advice — one twenty-four hour period , no growth , the next day crocus blooms ! Each bulb produces several bloom . However , don’t mowyour lawn until after the flush have block blooming and the leaves have begun to yellow and shrivel . That ’s a sign that the works has stored all of its get-up-and-go for the next spring develop season .
When cook for the next growing season , Stark recommends fertilizing for optimal increase and bloom . Fertilize in other autumn if you have a short springtime or recent winter if you have a long spring . If you live in an area where it snow in the wintertime , address your crocus bed with a few inches of mulch . " Remove the mulch in late February , " she says , " but have covering on helping hand in February and March to protect the plant if the weather turns wicked again . "
After a few years , your crocuses may spread so much that they become overcrowded . If this happens , dig them up after they ’ve flowered for the season and separate them into smaller clump . you may replant these elsewhere or circulate their beauty by share them with others .
Growing Crocus Flowers Indoors
It ’s possible to enjoy crocus blossoms throughout the winter months by forcing them to blossom indoors . To do this , first pot them about 1 inch ( 3 centimeters ) deep around mid - October and water supply thoroughly . Then chill in a dark location for two to three months . Ideally , the temperature should be 38 to 45 degrees F ( 3.3 to 7.2 snow ) . You only need to water a moderate amount during this period . When their scary time is up , bring them to room temperature and the crocus should bloom in about a month . squeeze plants ca n’t be transplanted outdoors .
