A swathe of crocuses spreading slowly across a lawn is one of the best sights of spring. It’s a cheer-up, wake-up, and get-into-the-garden sight. I’ve always had a difficult relationship with many spring bulbs: sometimes their violent pastel shades strike me as a bit naff, but I love an enormous clump of bright and cheery crocus. I even love interplanting bright yellow varieties such as C.chrysanthus ‘E.A.Bowles’ with purple species such as this lovely C.tommasinianus. The effect is loud and maybe even a little kitsch, but it’s the best way I know of welcoming in the spring.
Unfortunately, crocuses can be a bit disappointing. You see, even though they are bright, happy-looking flowers, they are actually a little weak. Heavy rains can flatten them. Birds just love to peck at their stalks, sending them tumbling to the ground. And C.tommasinianus gets a little grumpy on overcast days, and refuses to open. So on the days when the sun is shining and those kitsch goblets are opening across your lawn, give thanks, and crawl up to them for a sneaky peek: they are one of the best things about spring.
Vital stats:
Location:
Well-drained soil
Light:
Prefers full sun
When to plant:
Autumn
What can I expect from this plant?
Height: 9cm
Flowers: February
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