Were well into the winter/spring bulb season and one of the earliest flowering is Crocus tommasinianus (common name Early or Elfin Crocus ). Why not try this beautiful plant as an alternative to the taller and later flowering Dutch hybrids, such as ‘Jeanne d’Arc’, which you usually see in garden centres. Less prone to being knocked over in wind or rain, and freely naturalising, its ideal for planting in lawns.
- Amongst the earliest to flower, this species of Crocus has elegant blooms of pale lavender to red purple with a silvery reverse. A fantastic way to bring colour and nectar to your late winter garden.
- Flowering from late winter to early spring, the calyx-shaped flowers open when the sun shines or when there is a lot of light. They close up in rain or wind and at night.
- Growing up to 7-10cm, it will naturalise easily, coming back year after year. Easily grown in well drained soils in full sun or partial shade, plant in autumn for flowering next year.
- Part of the Iris family, tommasinianus is named after the Austrian botanist Muzio Spirito de Tommasini (1794-1879) and is native to eastern european woodlands.
- Plant in with Helebores, Snowdrops and hardy Cyclamens in a border for a stunning winter display.
- Look for Cultivars – ‘Ruby Giant‘ (neither giant nor purple!!! deep pinkish/purple), & ‘Whitewall Purple‘ (mauve/pink)
Did you know: its a corm not a bulb? Corms are stems developed into a food store. The corm you plant in autumn is used up growing the flower. New corms form to replace the mother corm each year. If planted in a lawn, do not mow until 6 weeks after flowering or the new corms will not develop enough to flower next year.
Want to read more?…..read https://andythegardener.co.uk/corm-bulb-rhizome-tuber-difference/