IN BRIEF<\/strong><\/p>\n

What:<\/strong> Small, hardy early flowering corms, with flowers in a range of colours<\/p>\n

Season:<\/strong> Flowering in spring, dormant in summer<\/p>\n

Size:<\/strong> 5-15cm tall<\/p>\n

Growing requirements:<\/strong> Sunny position in a border, beneath deciduous trees and shrubs or in lawns. Also good for pots.<\/p>\n

Hardiness:<\/strong> RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div> <\/section>

\u00a0<\/p>\n

How to grow crocus<\/h2>\n
Where to plant crocus bulbs<\/h3>\n
Crocuses that are widely sold in the UK are best suited to a wetter climate. The main requirements for most crocus are a sunny position and soil that isn\u2019t waterlogged. Some, such as C. angustifolius<\/em>, need very good drainage. Plant crocus bulbs under deciduous shrubs, around trees, among herbaceous perennials or in a container.<\/p>\n
How and when to plant crocus bulbs<\/h3>\n
Plant crocus corms in autumn. Plant them around 5-7cm deep, pointed end up. The large corms of the Dutch hybrids can be planted even deeper. Crocus corms grow contractile roots that pull them down to the right depth if you\u2019ve planted them too shallow.<\/p>\n
How to grow crocus in a lawn<\/h3>\n
You can dig individual holes for each corm, and cover with the removed plug of turf, but this can be laborious if you have a lot of corms to plant. A quicker method is to cut out the area of turf where you want to plant and lift it away or roll it back to expose the soil. Lightly break up the soil surface and carefully push in the corms. Then place the turf back over them. When you grow crocuses in a lawn, the grass can be cut by mid to late spring.<\/p>\n
It can take a while to achieve a carpet of crocus, but if you plant species that self seed, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy the results after a few years. C. tommasinianus<\/em> and C. chrysanthus<\/em> do this well.<\/p>\n
What eats crocus bulbs?<\/h3>\n
Squirrels and other rodents are fond of crocus bulbs. The deeper you plant them, the less likely they are to be dug up. You can also place some chicken wire over the area you have planted, and cover with soil or turf to hide it. Use a wire gauge with holes around 5-10mm wide. The crocuses will grow through it but it should deter squirrels and mice from digging down.<\/p>\n
Another problem is birds pecking at the flowers and buds as they emerge. To deter them, some gardeners push sticks in the ground with black cotton strung between, which is not always effective or attractive, but is preferable to using a cage or mesh. Alternatively, grow in pots in a greenhouse or bring indoors when they start to flower.<\/p>\n
The best crocus to grow<\/h2>\n
Crocus tommasinianus<\/em><\/h3>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Crocus<\/em> \u2018Jeanne d\u2019Arc\u2019<\/h3>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>

The best crocus to grow<\/h2>\n