Crocus (Autumn)

Crocus, like many of our bulbs, are available seasonally, only when dormant. Some may currently be available for sale but the balance of our full range is left here (below) to show you what we normally grow and for information, not to "tempt" you with false promises.

If we have any for sale, they are listed in the menu on the Active list, left of screen.

Those shown as 'out-of-stock' are not currently available for sale (or have already sold out).

Those that we do not grow at all are not listed at all.

Our normal range includes:-

Crocus asturicus, asumaniae, banaticus, biflorus, boryi, cambessedesii, cancellatus, cartwrightianus, clusii, dispathaceus, gilanicus, goulimyi, hadriaticus, hyemalis, karduchorum, kotschyanus, laevigatus, longiflorus, mathewi, medius, niveus, nudiflorus, ochroleucus, oreocreticus, pallasii, robertianus, salzmannii, speciosus, tournefortii, vallicola, veneris and various subspecies, forms and clones.

These are normally sold from our Summer list, issued in June.

Available from about early August until growth starts in early Oct.

Crocus asturicus atropurpureus

A long cultivated historical clone mentioned by E. A. Bowles and around for a hundred years or more, this was originally selected for its deep purple colouration and good nature.

Although the naming of these Spanish and African purple species has changed, this clone is offered under the old name (and we do know that this is an incorrect one) to preserve its interest, especially since it has been absent from our lists for many years. This is authentic material.

Crocus asturicus atropurpureuscroastatr	£3.50
Large view

Crocus biflorus melantherus

This is the endemic Greek plant that was once (wrongly) thought to be 'crewei'. It differs from most other biflorus forms in having autumnal flowers, and these are white marked with small, deeply coloured, almost black, stripes on the outside. The anthers are virtually black yet sit in a yellow-tinged throat, all in all a very 'different' but very attractive plant. The whole is gently honey-scented when warm.

One note about this one, plant it late in the season, and it will flower in winter or spring.

Crocus biflorus melantheruscrobifmel	£6.50

Crocus boryi

It is always nice to have enough to spare of this lovely, yet still scarce, October flowering species, from southern Greece and her Islands.

Each autumn this makes a cluster of robust white goblets feathered and lined with varying amounts of purple on the exterior of the three outer petals.

Crocus boryicroborbor	£3.50

Crocus cambessedesii

This is one of the smallest flowered Crocus, a perfect miniature. We find it hardy but its diminutive stature makes it ideal for an alpine house pot.

Unlike its relatives, the spring-flowering C. corsicus and C. minimus, this is autumnal; flowering from about October but continuing throughout autumn and winter with an odd bloom as late as February.

Ours is quite a constant strain of restrained lilac-blue with a faint buff infusion present below the external purple stripes. Faintly but noticeably scented when kept under glass.

Found only on Majorca and Menorca.

Crocus cambessedesiicrocamcam	£6.50
Flowering sized corms, naturally small, but large for the species!

Crocus cancellatus damacenus

It has been very many years since we were last able to offer this distinctive, starry form from Jordan, with pale violet flowers and a white throat contrasted by finely divided yellow styles.

Below ground the corms have a remarkably coarsely netted tunic.

Crocus cancellatus damacenuscrocandam	£3.00
Large view

Crocus cancellatus lycius

A lovely Turkish form with pure white petals contrasting with a deep yellow throat to present a beautiful appearance, especially with the addition to the melange of the styles which are deep orange-red and finely divided.

Crocus cancellatus Lyciuscrocanlyc	£5.50
Large view

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus albus

A selection from a plant found in Greece some years ago this has flowers which are typical mazziaricus, except that they are of pure white, borne early in the autumn with the lovely saffron scent of the species.

Warm, well drained spot outside.

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus albuscrocanalb	£5.00
Large view

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus Menalo

A new form with large flowers of very pale violet (appearing white) and a golden throat visible from the outside of the flower, where it is marked with narrow purple lining. A prominent orange-yellow style complete the picture of a gorgeous plant.

From a stock originally found on Mount Menalo, near Tripoli on the Greek Peloponnese.

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus Menalocromazmen	£4.00
Large view

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus Parnassus

Very pale blue to almost white flowers, which are lined and feathered externally with fine violet stripes.

The robust Greek forms are the loveliest available.

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus Parnassus crocanpar	£3.50
Large view

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus Pilion

This is a lovely form first found in Volos province, Greece, on Mount Pilion, growing on a stony slope at 750m, 09.05.1989.

The ground colour of the flowers is white marked with thin blue lines and the shape is much more bowl-shaped than the Parnassus clone.

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus Pilioncromazpil	£4.50

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus Samsun Dag

Attractive pale violet flowers with a yellow throat and purple pencil stripes overlaying this on the outside. Saffron yellow stigmata complete the picture.

A stock raised from one seed capsule gathered in 1990 in maquis at 600m.

Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus Samsun Dagcrosamdag	£5.00
Large view

Crocus cancellatus pamphylicus

Virtually white flowers, with a yellow ring in the throat, which provides just enough contrast to show off the white anthers that, characterise this Turkish form.

Photograph Erich Pasche, with thanks

Crocus cancellatus pamphylicuscrocanpam	£5.50
Large view

Crocus cartwrightianus White form

This is a true white form selected from CEH.613 and NOT cartwrightianus albus of the trade, which is just a wrongly named form of hadriaticus - something known for over 40 years.

Ours is a superb plant, strongly saffron-fragrant with the white flowers thinly lined with five hairstreaks of deep violet on each petal. In the centre is a stunning contrast of red styles and yellow anthers.

A first time release in 2005 and a gorgeous one. Growth is as for the typical plant.

Crocus cartwrightianus White formcrocarwhi	£6.50
Large view

Crocus clusii

Pale to deep lilac, sometimes with darker veining, in autumn. An excellent and dependable species for the garden but often in short supply.

Crocus clusiicrocluclu	£1.20