Giant Crocus

(Crocus vernus)

Giant Crocus (Crocus vernus)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Crocus vernus, commonly known as Giant Crocus, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb native to alpine meadows, scrub, and woodlands of the Mediterranean region, including Southern Europe. It typically grows to a height and width of 0.3-0.5 feet (0.09-0.2 meters), forming clumps of grass-like leaves. The Giant Crocus is celebrated for its large, cup-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors including blue, yellow, silver, orange, purple, and white, blooming in early spring and providing one of the first splashes of color in the garden after winter. The flowers are particularly showy, often with contrasting petal bases and throat markings.

The Giant Crocus is valued for its ease of cultivation and early spring blooms, making it a popular choice for rock gardens, borders, and naturalizing in lawns. It is also commonly used for under-planting beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil to prevent corm rot. Crocus vernus can be propagated by dividing clumps of corms in the summer after the foliage has died back. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to squirrels and other rodents, which may dig up and eat the corms. To prevent this, corms can be planted in cages or with a layer of gravel.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.3-0.5 feet
  • Width: 0.3-0.5 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Purple
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to alpine meadows, scrub, and woodlands in the Mediterranean region

Other Names

Common Names: Dutch Crocus, Spring Crocus, Common Crocus, Large-Flowered Dutch Crocus, Vår-Krokus, Weisser Krokus, Crocus, Crocus De Naples, Crocus De Printemps, Crocus Printanier

Scientific Names: , Crocus vernus, Crocus albiflorus, Crocus vernus subsp. albiflorus, Crocus napolitanus, Crocus vernus var. albiflorus, Crocus caeruleus, Crocus vilmae, Crocus vernus var. acutiflorus, Crocus vernus var. parviflorus

GBIF Accepted Name: Crocus vernus (L.) Hill