The Home Growns
3. Crocus (Crocus vernus)
I’ll never forget my first experience with crocuses. After moving into my new home in Minnesota, I was amazed to see these little purple gems pushing through a late February snow. Talk about resilient! Over the past 15 years of gardening, I’ve learned that crocuses are absolutely essential for any early spring garden.
Choosing the Right Varieties
When it comes to crocuses, you’ve got options! The most common variety is the Dutch Crocus (Crocus vernus), which comes in stunning shades of purple, white, and yellow. My personal favorite is the ‘Remembrance’ variety with its deep purple blooms. For something truly special, try the striped ‘Pickwick’ variety – it looks like someone painted delicate purple stripes on each petal!
Planting Tips for Success
Here’s something I learned the hard way: timing is everything with crocus bulbs (technically called “corms”). Plant them in fall, about 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. I once waited until November in my excitement to get them in the ground, and let me tell you, digging in nearly-frozen soil is no fun!
Plant the corms about 3-4 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Pro tip: plant them in groups of at least 15-20 for the most dramatic effect. I use a bulb planter tool now, but when I first started, I just used a garden trowel, and that worked fine too.
Creating a Natural Look
Want to know my favorite crocus trick? Try lawn naturalization! This means planting them throughout your lawn for a magical spring meadow effect. Just toss the corms onto your lawn and plant them where they land. But here’s the catch – you’ll need to hold off on mowing until the crocus foliage yellows and dies back naturally. This usually takes about 6 weeks after blooming.
Maintenance and Protection
The best thing about crocuses? They’re practically maintenance-free! They’re naturally deer and rabbit resistant, which is a huge plus if you live in an area with wildlife like I do. Just remember these three things:
- Don’t cut back the foliage until it yellows
- Avoid overwatering when dormant
- Mark their location if planting in lawn areas
Ready to discover another early spring beauty? Click “next” to learn about Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa) – a stunning blue flower that creates the most incredible carpet of color you’ve ever seen. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one!
Bonus tip: For the best naturalized look, combine crocuses with other early spring bulbs like snowdrops and winter aconite. The color combination will take your breath away!
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