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| Crocus biflorus ssp. isauricus 'Spring Beauty' with beautiful purple flames on alternating petals. |
In our urban
Front Woodland garden, which is situated in the wide curb strip at the front of our property, I planted one hundred of these pretty little crocuses that have a name taller than they are,
Crocus biflorus ssp. isauricus 'Spring Beauty'.
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| Crocus 'Spring Beauty' surrounded by tufts of forget-me-nots (Myosotis). |
Anyone with crocuses will know the joy and incredible patience that it takes to wait for them to open. They prefer a sunny day that is above 45 degrees F (7 C). One of the wonderful things about this crocus is that even when they are closed for a cold or gloomy day, their striping gives you something interesting to look at. It is quite striking in a setting where it has some early green about it.
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Crocus 'Spring Beauty' still closed up as the sun rises, showing their stripes.
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| Crocus 'Spring Beauty' planted on a dry mound around our mature maple tree with Sedum 'Acre'. |
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Crocus 'Spring Beauty' should relish in the baking that it will get in this pavement-surrounded garden in our Front Woodland.
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Crocus 'Spring Beauty' should thrive in this dry shade/sun garden for years to come. Bulbs often need a good baking for the summer. And these will diminish as the other parts of the Front Woodland planting come up to show their stuff for the season.
Glad to be able to share this crocus with you. I have been anticipating it for months, and I was not disappointed!
For more early spring flowers see:
Crocus 'Goldilocks'
Crocus tommasinianus
Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin'
I would love to add crocus to my garden for next year. When is the best time to plant?
ReplyDeleteEmily,
DeleteFall is the time. You can order your crocuses, tulips, daffodils and rock irises (like the one I featured earlier this week) at that time, though you may wish to order in the late summertime. Some bulbs will come back year after year, while others will only last for a year or two. It depends on your location, dampness, sun, cold temperatures, etc. Every garden is different, but there are usually some bulbs that will persist in your area. Looking around at your neighbors' gardens can be very helpful.
~Julie
Thanks Julie!
DeleteVery interesting - I hadn't seen that crocus before. It looks pretty even when closed with those purple outer flames. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteNot as lovely as the Iris but still a winner. Crocus seem to come and finish so quickly but they are beautiful, you've convinced me to plant some next autumn. Christina
ReplyDeleteI actually put some in the grass and they are stunning...I love these....a new fav
ReplyDeleteLove that flame! So interesting. I'll have to be on the lookout for this little bulb.
ReplyDeletecrocus is mysterious, appearing almost right from the ground. Lovely sight.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely flower your Spring Beauty has with that purple flame on the outside, must look for it next autumn at planting time!!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful cultivar Julie! The light in the ‘stripes’ shot is incredible.
ReplyDelete