Spotlight on Crocus
Crocuses grow two to six inches tall, with a spread of three to six inches. The leaves are grass-like. The flowers can be yellow, white, purple, or a mixture of these colors. They are among the earliest bloomers each spring.
This type of plant grow from corms, which are short, compressed stems similar to bulbs. Corms are more flattened and have eyes, or buds, at the top from which shoots emerge. Each year a new corm forms on top of the old one, and tiny corms, called cormels, form around its base. Each corm produces from one to five blooms. When planted in proper conditions, most self-sow and produce plentiful offsets.
Crocus should be planted in full sun to partial shade. They prefer
well-drained soil and have good drought tolerance. The grassy leaves
will die back after the plant blooms.
Spring-blooming crocus should be planted in the fall. Plant the
corms with the wide side down and the buds facing up. Place them 2
or 3 inches deep and about 3 or 4 inches apart. They will fill in as
they multiply. If the bulbs become too crowded after a few years,
you can dig them up after their foliage browns and divide them.
If squirrels like to munch on your bulbs, try securing chicken wire
just under the soil while planting. The crocuses will grow right
through it in the spring. Squirrels have been found to dislike the
taste of some species, such as C. tommasinianus.
