Crocus
Crocuses are one of the handiest of the Spring flowering bulbs and also
one of the earliest to flower. They come in a great range of colors
and flower forms, making them suited to most gardens and tastes. They
provide much needed color and excitement each Spring and a must have
plant for all gardeners.
How to grow
Crocuses are
extremely easy to grow making them an ideal plant for novice and amateur
gardeners or when gardening with children. Plant your crocus bulbs in the Autumn at a depth of around 8cm and they
will reliably flower the following spring. Crocuses are especially
good when planted in to lawns, containers, or woodland settings.
Position
Plant
your crocuses in sun or part shade and they will thrive. To maintain
blooms for as long as possible in the cold and wet spring you may wish
to plant bulbs in a more sheltered spot which will reduce the effects of
biting winds and heavy rainfall.
Soil
Crocuses will
grow in most soil but for best results you should enrich soil with
plenty of well-rotted garden compost or multi-purpose compost as this will help to
improve drainage around the bulbs but still retain an adequate source
of moisture. You may also choose to add horticultural grit or sand to
further improve drainage on heavy or clay soils. If you are planting in
to containers you can use a specific bulb planting compost.
Care
Once
planted crocuses require almost no care at all. To help improve plant
vigor you can apply a balanced fetilizer throughout the growing
season and after blooming, however, it is likely that plants will thrive
without this treatment.
Top Tip
You can propagate
Crocuses by lifting bulbs that have been growing in the garden for
several years. After your crocuses have flowered, dig up selected
clumps and divide up the bulbs to make for a bigger and more healthy
display. Not only will this make for more plants but it will also help
ease congestion and improve the health of your plants.
