| A crocus is a well loved perennial flower that grows | | | | plant your crocus bulbs under half an inch of soil in |
| that grows to be 3 to 6 inches tall with yellow, | | | | shallow holes. Grass cuttings, leaves and straw make |
| purple, lavender and white cup shaped blooms. A | | | | an excellent mulch and should be used while growing |
| member of the iris family, the crocus is a hardy plant | | | | the plants. The bulbs should also be watered |
| that commonly blooms in the spring, with the | | | | throughout the winter when you are in a snowless |
| exception of a few species of crocus that bloom in | | | | area. If there is snow in your area, then water the |
| the fall. | | | | crocuses until the first snowfall arrives. Shoots should |
| The crocus plant has over 80 species, about 30 of | | | | become noticeable when the snow cover melts or in |
| which are raised commercially. The most commonly | | | | the early spring. Bloom times are in the early spring |
| planted crocus is the Dutch Crocus, also known as | | | | to early fall. |
| the crocus vernus, which also has the largest bloom. | | | | When planting indoors, be sure to plant the bulbs |
| Other common species of crocus are crocus | | | | immediately in small pots containing a layer of small |
| chrysanthus, which is one of the first to bloom in late | | | | stones or gravel on the bottom, followed by sterile |
| winter or early spring, crocus sieberi, which is also | | | | potting soil within an inch and a half of the top. Make |
| fairly short and blooms very early, and the crocus | | | | sure you plant the bulbs with pointed end up, an inch |
| tommasinianus, another early bloomer that comes in | | | | apart then cover with the soil. The next step is to |
| various shades of purple. | | | | water the bulb thoroughly and allow the pot to drain. |
| Crocuses can be planted both indoors and outdoors, | | | | Place the pots in a cold dark place, about 45 to 48 |
| in either flower beds, borders or containers. Crocuses | | | | degrees Fahrenheit, for six weeks and check once a |
| do well with full exposure to sun and can grow in | | | | week for roots growing and appearing through the |
| poor to average soils, if the soil is well drained. | | | | drain holes. Once the roots establish themselves, it is |
| When planting crocuses outdoors, the best time to | | | | time to move the bulbs to a sunny place at room |
| plant bulbs is in the fall when the weather is cool. It is | | | | temperature. In three weeks the crocus blooms |
| also advisable to plant them where there will be little | | | | should appear. |
| to no disturbance throughout the winter, and plant | | | | Whether you grow them indoors or outdoors, the |
| them away from small animals that might take them | | | | crocus will make a lovely addition to your home and |
| as food, such as squirrels, mice and rabbits. A | | | | or garden. |
| protected, sunny flowerbed is preferable. Be sure to | | | | |