Crocuses

May 24, 2024 Post a Comment

Crocuses

Crocus plants will multiply and come back year after year, bringing more blooms with them each time.

What is special about a crocus?

Crocus are among the very first flowers to bloom each spring. In cold climates, their cheery blossoms will often open when there's still snow on the ground. Crocus flowers come in Easter-egg colors of purple, yellow, lavender, cream and white.

What month do crocuses bloom?

Flowers will appear the first fall after planting (generally in September or October) and last for about 3 weeks. The grass-like leaves may emerge soon after the flowers or wait until the following spring.

How poisonous are crocuses?

The spring Crocus may cause gastrointestinal upset like vomiting, diarrhea and drooling if any part of the plant is ingested. Fall Crocus on the other hand, may cause much more severe symptoms like excessive vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, as well as possible bone marrow damage.

Can you leave crocus bulbs in the ground?

Do I leave crocus bulbs in the ground? Most hardy bulbs do better when left in the ground, but if the soil does not drain well, the bulbs could rot. To ensure longevity, you can dig up and store crocus bulbs until the next planting season.

Do squirrels eat crocus bulbs?

Those bushy-tailed rodents that some find cute, but gardeners find contrary, love to munch on crocus bulbs. The most common crocuses, various hybrids of Crocus vernus, are especially toothsome to squirrels.

Do crocus only bloom once?

Crocuses will start blooming any time between late winter and early spring, often with no warning — one day, no growth, the next day blooms! Each bulb produces several blooms.

Do crocuses spread?

About Crocuses Crocus bulbs (technically called “corms”) not only provide winter garden color, but they naturalize, meaning that they spread and come back year after year—with minimum care—for an ever-larger display.

Where should crocus be planted?

Crocus like well-drained soil in a partial to full sun location. You may even grow them in your lawn where they will add a bright twinkle to the awakening grass. Early foraging bees appreciate their nectar as well. Plant crocus bulbs (corms) in informal groups, just three inches deep and 2-3 inches apart.

How many crocus bulbs to plant together?

Plant Crocuses Together For bright clumps of blooms, plant them in groups of three to nine corms. First, choose a sunny or partly shady area. Then dig a trench three inches deep if you live in USDA Zones 6-8, or four inches deep for Zones 3-5, to provide extra insulation.

Should you deadhead crocus?

deadheading. You don't need to deadhead your crocuses as the flowers will fade naturally. They do look dainty and pretty in small vases, so you can pick them for a short indoor display. Leave all foliage in place until it has completely died back.

Are crocus poisonous to dogs?

The spring crocus is part of the Iridaceae family, and like its autumn relative, can still be severely toxic for pets. Symptoms include diarrhoea, perhaps with blood, drooling and vomiting. Extreme cases can cause numerous problems including seizures and organ damage, or even death.

What drug comes from crocuses?

Colchicine is one of the oldest remedies still in use today. It is derived from the bulb-like corms of the Colchicum autumnale plant, also known as autumn crocus.

Do crocuses attract bees?

All spring-flowering crocus, such as Crocus tommasinianus, provide early nectar and pollen for bees emerging from hibernation on warm spring days. Indeed, before they find a nest site, some bumblebee queens will sleep in the flowers overnight.

Do deer eat crocuses?

Crocus are among the first bulbs to bloom, welcoming spring with a wonderful burst of color. They are deer and rabbit resistant, and when planted in large drifts they provide a stunning, early-spring display. These beauties should be used in every garden and grass lawn. Learn more about Planting Crocus.

How fast do crocus bulbs multiply?

The time for your new “bulbs” to reach flowering size depends on the kind of bulb and the method of propagation: a year for a daffodil offset, a couple of years for a crocus cormel or lily scale, three or four years for hyacinth bulblets.

What to do with crocus after they bloom?

Remove faded flowers leaving the leaves intact. Move the plant to a warm sunny window. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Fertilize with a dilute solution of any houseplant fertilizer.

How long do crocus bulbs last?

Most bulbs, if stored correctly, can be kept for about 12 months before needing to be planted.

Do rabbits eat crocuses?

Crocus Flower Bulbs They are deer and rabbit resistant, and when planted in large drifts they provide a stunning, early-spring display. These beauties should be used in every garden and grass lawn. Learn more about Planting Crocus.

How do I stop squirrels from digging up my crocus bulbs?

Cover Your Bulbs One of the most foolproof ways to protect your bulbs from ravenous squirrels and chipmunks is to cover the planting area with either chicken wire or hardware cloth (hardware cloth is a metal mesh much like chicken wire except that it has a smaller grid pattern).