WHERE DO CROCUSES LIKE TO GROW?

Where do crocuses like to grow?

Next to snowdrops, crocus are a harbinger of spring and arguably the first decent spots of colour in an otherwise bleak winter landscape. For years the colour palette was quite limited with only yellow, white and a purplish-blue available, but with the help of plant breeders we now have monarch orange (although this is not a particularly strong cultivar) and the stunning Pickwick amongst others. 

So to get the best out of your crocuses it's important to provide them with environmental conditions as similar to they native environment. This then begs the question - where do crocuses like to grow?

To begin with, they come from quite a wide reaching band on the map including central and southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East, and Central Asia to western China. They are particularly noted for inhabiting the Greek island Krokos, from where they receive their species name.  They particularly inhabit woodland, scrub, and meadows from sea level to alpine tundra.

For garden use in northern mediterranean climates, most crocus species and hybrids will grow perfectly well planted in a sunny position (avoid planting under trees, especially deciduous forms unless the bulbs are not covered by a thick layer of fallen leaves), in a gritty, well-drained soil and this will be absolutely fine for most of the cultivars available in your local garden centre. However research your species as some will prefer shadier sites in moist soil, while other will perform better when used for naturalising in grass. When planting, the corms should be positioned about 3 to 4 cm deep, but when planting in heavy soils, work in a quantity of sharp grit to help improve drainage.

Be aware that as a general rule for commonly available crocus species and hybrids they do not like heavy, permanently wet soils and will not flower in shade.

Main image credit - Simon Eade Eaden Horticulture

For related articles click onto the following links:
BBC: Crocus 'Pickwick'
CROCUS 'ORANGE MONARCH'
CROCUS 'PICKWICK'
HOW TO GROW BULBS
HOW TO GROW CROCUS
WHAT IS SAFFRON?