What: Crocus “Spring Beauty,” commonly called large-flowering crocus, are a harbinger of spring. They bring a burst of color to the garden in very late winter to early spring. This hybrid cultivar is easy to grow and long-lived with goblet-shaped flowers that are a pastel lavender with a dazzling violet splash on the outer petals and bright orange anthers. The wispy green foliage, with a thin silvery median, emerges right behind the flowers and expands as the blooms fade. They go dormant in early summer, making them quite drought tolerant.
Where: Crocus generally grow best in full sun, although they will tolerate light or open shade. Plant in well-drained soil. If planted in a lawn situation, do not mow until the leaves turn yellow indicating dormancy.
Size: The bulb flower grows to be 5 inches tall and 9 inches wide when mature.
Care: As long as there is adequate rainfall during spring, there is no need to water because once the foliage goes dormant in late spring the corms are drought tolerant.
— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
