Botanical Crocuses Are The Earliest And Most Desirable. Features Of Cultivation And Use In Garden Design. Varieties And Photos

2023 Author: Ava Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:13

Although the presence of crocuses in the garden is fleeting, we always look forward to the return of these heralds of spring next year. Crocuses are one of the earliest primroses that bloom as soon as the snow melts. However, flowering times may vary depending on species and varieties. This article focuses on the earliest crocus varieties that bloom in late March and early April.

Content:

• Crocuses do not bloom in the snow
• Early crocus varieties
• Features of planting botanical crocuses
• Botanical crocuses in landscape design

Crocuses do not bloom in the snow

People began to grow crocuses as early as 500 years before the onset of our era. In ancient times, these plants were mainly used as a spice (saffron), a medicinal plant, or as a dye to obtain an orange color. But today, first of all, crocuses are appreciated due to their very early flowering and delicate multi-colored flowers that look like tiny tulips and have a rich palette of colors.

Very often in the photo you can see crocuses blooming right in the sparkling snow. It seems that crocuses begin to bloom almost in a snowdrift, and with the arrival of spring they literally "melt" from the snow in a blooming state. But this is certainly not the case. The bulbs wake up under the snow, but their active growth begins only after the snow cover has melted and the sunlight has warmed the "beaks" of young leaves that have appeared from the ground.

Growing rapidly, crocuses bloom very quickly, but changeable spring weather can turn into a new significant snowfall, which will completely hide flowering plants. However, there is no need to be afraid for these delicate flowers. The entire plant is covered with a waxy coating, which reliably protects it from such disasters. As soon as the sun warms up again, the sleeping buds will begin to open, presenting a magnificent picture of the victory of spring over winter.

Early crocus varieties

In total, there are about 50 species of crocuses in nature, and in decorative gardening, crocuses blooming in spring are divided into two large groups - botanical ("snow crocuses") and Dutch hybrids. The second group is famous for its large goblet flowers, but the former are more like a scattering of multi-colored stars and are distinguished by earlier flowering.

Many species and varieties belong to botanical crocuses, sometimes on packages with planting material, you can find a specification to which specific species this variety belongs.

Most often, the sale can be found in the crocus golden, crocus Sieber, Crocus Tomasini and crocus yellow. But sometimes crocus can simply be labeled as "botanical" (Crocus species / Crocus bontanique).

But in any case, there is no significant difference between the botanical species of crocuses, they all differ in small flowers, very early flowering, small bulbs, and also grow rapidly, forming glades. Let's consider the most popular ones.

Crocus "Cream Beauty"

This variety has a very unusual shade of yellow. It is not as catchy as the well-known yellow-orange golden crocuses, but neither is it snow-white like the varieties with boiling white flowers that can merge with snow. Crocus color "Cream Beauty" is a very warm creamy shade, which can also be called the color of "baked milk".

In the very center of the flower, the color becomes slightly darker, and against such a rich yellow background, remarkable bright stamens typical for crocus rise. The tips of the petals are rounded, due to which, when half-open, this crocus resembles a classic goblet tulip in miniature. On the outer side of the petals, at the very base, there is a small dark-colored mesh pattern, which also gives the flower an originality.

Crocus "Spring Beauty"

This is one of the most popular varieties of Ziber crocus, whose wild relatives grow in Greece, which does not prevent this crocus species from successfully surviving winters in central Russia.

Crocus "Spring Beauty" can be called the most expressive of all botanical crocuses without exaggeration. It is made as such by very bright dark purple stripes, which look especially expressive against the main delicate lavender background of the petals.

This crocus looks different during the day. In the light of the sun, when the flowers are fully open, the Spring Beauty crocus resembles lilac stars with a bright orange pistil in the center. And as soon as direct sunlight ceases to fall on the clearing, the flowers close and show their bright purple pattern on the back of the petals.

Such "big-eyed" crocuses look great in the garden both against the background of white snow, and in the neighborhood with other spring flowers, especially those with a yellow color. This crocus is slightly shorter than other botanical crocuses and does not grow taller than 8 centimeters.

Crocus "Tricolor"

Another hybrid of the Greek Ziber crocus. As the name implies, the flower of this variety combines three colors. The main tone of the petals is purple, and in the center of each flower there is an expressive white ring surrounding a bright yellow center, from which yellow-orange anthers protrude like a golden turret.

These multi-colored crocuses look very elegant and original. All their beauty can be seen when the flowers are fully open and well lit by the sun. But even when closed, the Tricolor crocus looks no less original: about a third of the flower (at the base of the glass) is colored bright yellow, turning into a rich lilac. A white stripe can also be seen close between the two colors. Closed inflorescences also have a fourth color - a dark purple leg.

Crocus "Prince Claus"

This variety, bred in Holland, bears the name of the wife of the Queen of the Netherlands, Beatrix. "Prince Claus" is a cultural form of the golden crocus. And although this type of crocus, as the name implies, most often has bright yellow flowers in nature, this variety is distinguished by an expressive two-tone color of flowers, in which yellow tones are completely absent.

All bicolor crocuses are valuable in that their appearance changes depending on the lighting. As with all types of crocuses, flowers are fully opened only when the sun is shining brightly on them.

When fully unfolded, the crocus "Prince Claus" is a delicate snow-white flowers, consisting of six dazzling white petals with rounded tips. And on a cloudy day, you can see the outer side of the petals, decorated with an expressive purple spot with blurred edges, making the flowers look watercolor. Moreover, such patterns are not present on every petal, but are scattered through one.

Crocus "Miss Wayne"

There are many varieties of crocuses, both botanical and hybrid, with a pure white color. And although they are not as expressive as their brightly colored counterparts, their touching tenderness cannot but cause tenderness. And, probably, it is not without reason that most varieties of white crocuses bear female names.

Unlike other varieties of snow-white crocuses, "Miss Wayne" stands out for its star-shaped flowers. The fact is that this variety has pronounced pointed petals, due to which in sunny weather the meadows of Miss Wayne crocuses look like a scattering of snow-white stars, especially expressive against the background of dark earth.

But even if it snows, the snow-white crocuses will not be lost against its background, as they have noticeable bright orange stamens. In addition, this cultivar has a particularly strong, pleasant aroma, and the most pollinating insects can be seen on it.

Crocus "Advance"

With regard to color, crocuses can be conditionally divided into yellow and purple, while often yellow-colored flowers can be found with small purple blotches, and purple flowers have areas of yellow. As for the "Advance" crocus, the color of this variety can be called unique, since purple and yellow are in almost equal proportions in it.

Moreover, when closed, the glass looks more violet, and as soon as it opens completely, it becomes predominantly yellow. From a design point of view, the combination of violet and yellow colors is the most harmonious, and that is why the two-color Advance crocus flowers are so pleasing to the eye.

Crocuses of this original color seem warm and exotic. This variety is sure to become the star of the collection of botanical crocuses, and they must be settled in the garden.

Crocus "Blue Pearl"

The name of this variety is translated as "blue pearl". In some photos, this crocus looks really blue, but in reality its color can rather be called light lilac.

However, this does not detract from the beauty of this crocus, which can be called one of the most delicate and beautiful varieties in pastel colors. Crocus "Blue Pearl" will look great in the company of the equally delicate crocus "Cream Beauty", whose petals are painted in cream color.

The base of the flower has a lemon yellow color, and in full dissolution at the Blue Pearl crocus, you can see the bright yellow center of the flower and orange stamens. The inner side of the flower is very light lilac in color, so it seems almost white. The outer petals have a blurred violet coating, which makes the flowers darker when closed than when fully blooming.

Crocus "Fuscotinctus"

One of the smallest and earliest flowering botanical crocuses. This variety is distinguished by small bright yellow flowers with pointed petals. The color of the flowers is orange-yellow. Moreover, on the outer petals there are expressive dark longitudinal stripes, which are located through one on three of the six petals.

This color makes these crocuses look like adorable tiger cubs or bees. And although the flowers of these crocuses are much inferior in flower size to many other varieties, such sunny bright glades are a must-have in the garden, because the yellow-orange color always cheers up. In addition, this type of crocus is very unpretentious, and it grows quickly.

Features of planting botanical crocuses

Botanical crocuses have smaller bulbs compared to large-flowered Dutch crocuses, so they need to be planted closer to each other (about 5 centimeters apart).

Small crocus flowers look good in groups, so it's better to immediately buy a large package of bulbs and plant a whole clearing that will look spectacular next spring. Subsequently, the bulbs will form babies and create a solid flowering carpet.

Botanical crocuses are planted in mid-September; on light soils, the depth should be about two bulbs, on heavy loams - one. At the same time, on heavy soils, it is recommended to add river sand or perlite before planting.

Also, an acidic soil needs preparation, which must be deoxidized by adding lime or wood ash. Otherwise, crocuses will not develop well and may not bloom. Moderately fertile garden land does not need additional measures, since in general crocuses are rather unpretentious plants.

The most important thing when planting these primroses is to avoid places where spring stagnation can occur. In addition, the place for these primroses must be absolutely sunny.

Crocus is very winter-hardy and no shelter is required for the winter. After 5-6 years, it is recommended to divide the overgrown curtains in order to provide crocuses with additional space for the further education of children.

Botanical crocuses in landscape design

One of the most popular uses for crocuses is the use of primroses as a forcing crop. To do this, they are planted in the fall in containers and placed in a frost-free, cool room, for example, in a basement or refrigerator. Then they take it out and put it on a light window about three months after the rest period.

This method will allow you to get blooming crocuses by a certain time, whether it be New Year's holidays, Valentine's Day or March 8th.

In natural-style gardens, crocuses are often planted in bulk on the lawn. If desired, they can be grouped by islands according to colors, or, on the contrary, create a variegated mosaic by mixing yellow, white and purple tones. This gives the impression that the primroses have grown naturally here.

A similar method can be used in a regular style. In this case, crocuses of various colors can be used to create all kinds of patterns, curls and geometric shapes. In any case, it is very important not to mow the lawn until the crocus leaves have withered.

Crocus flower beds are often framed or planted in groups among other plants. When choosing a place for crocuses in flower beds, it is better to place them near the plants, which will subsequently dissolve massive leaves, which will hide the crocus foliage that dries out after flowering, since you cannot cut off their aerial part ahead of time. The best neighbors for crocuses will be hosts, buzulniks, brunners and other bushy flowers with a massive leaf blade.

From an aesthetic point of view, the combination of crocuses with evergreen ground cover plants - "rugs" (stonecrops, periwinkle, subulate phlox, etc.) is considered to be an excellent combination, however, after flowering, you will have to put up with the fact that drooping foliage of faded crocuses will lie on carpet for some time perennials and conspicuous.