Crocus flower - varieties of plants for the garden

Crocuses are delicate primroses that are among the first to welcome spring. The plant can be grown not only at home, but also outdoors. Compliance with simple rules of care will allow you to grow a healthy decorative culture that pleases with abundant flowering.

Description and useful properties

Crocus is a perennial bulbous culture, which was appreciated at its true worth during the time of the Egyptian pharaohs. Saffron (meaning of the word translated from Arabic) is a representative of the Kasatik family. Experts have more than 100 plant varieties.

The height of perennial stems reaches 20-25 cm. Scales are formed near the root system of saffron. Due to this trait, during flowering, the crocus acquires common features with tulips. Goblet flowers have 6 petals, colored in different tones. Flowers can be not only one-color, but also two-color. In this case, the stamens are colored only yellow or orange.

Saffron

Beneficial features

Saffron is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and medical products. Crocus, due to the content of a large number of useful elements, is able to positively affect:

• gastrointestinal system;
• nervous system;
• the work of the heart muscle;
• genitourinary system.

Cooking applications

Saffron gives a special taste and beautiful shade to any dish. The spice can be added to cold cuts, fish dishes and vegetable stews. In addition, the chefs use the spice during the preparation of desserts, creams and baked goods.

The use of saffron in cooking

Description of the species of spring blooming crocuses

There are many varieties of saffron that delight in flowering during the spring months. Below are the most popular varieties from this category.

• Spring crocus is a home-grown plant that can reach a height of 16-17 cm. The surface of the corms is covered with mesh scales. The leaf plates are colored green. Flowers have a funnel-bell-shaped shape with long tubes, the shade of which can be white as snow or purple. 1-2 flowers develop from each bulb. Duration of flowering is 3 weeks.
• Two-flowered crocus, the flowers of which are painted in bluish-lilac shades. The outer surface of the leaf blades contains brown spots. The pharynx of flowers can be either white or yellow.
• The golden crocus reaches a height of 19-20 cm. The bulbs are naturally endowed with a flattened spherical shape. Flowers with folding perianths are painted in a yellow-gold palette. Flowering duration does not exceed 20 days.
• Crocus Tomasini, which can be grown indoors. When opened, they resemble a star. The tubes of flowers are painted in white. 2-3 flowers are formed from each bulb. Flowering continues for 17-20 days.

Gorgeous bloom

Description of the species of autumn flowering crocuses

Among the best varieties of crocuses blooming in autumn, it is worth highlighting:

• The crocus is beautiful, characterized by gorgeous purple-lilac flowers, the diameter of which can exceed 6.5 cm.The plant can bloom in 10-15 September. The longitudinal veins located on the surface of the flowers are colored in a magenta palette.
• Crocus pretty is a type of saffron with dark stripes on the surface of lavender flowers. Up to 10 flowers bloom on each bush. Flowering usually occurs at the end of September. The variety can tolerate night frosts.
• Banat crocus is a variety of saffron, distinguished by its graceful flowers, painted in a delicate lilac color. The shade of the anthers is yellow. The height of the stems reaches 13-14 cm.

Large-flowered crocuses

Large-flowered crocuses, which delight with gorgeous flowering, have been to the taste of most flower growers. Below are the most popular varieties.

• Albion, characterized by goblet flowers painted in white tones. The diameter of the inflorescences reaches 4 cm. The lobes have rounded outlines.
• Vanguard is a type of saffron with cupped flowers of a lilac-blue palette. The diameter of the inflorescences is within 3.5-4 cm.
• Jubili - crocuses, in which bluish flowers, endowed with a goblet shape, contain a purple-purple tint.
• Sniper Banner is a variety of crocus, distinguished by goblet flowers. The mesh lobes are oval in shape. Their outer surface is painted in pale lilac tones, and the inner one resembles a dark lilac mesh.
• Caitlin Parlow is a variety with white flowers that look especially lush and elegant. Inner lobes with short lilac strokes are located near the base.

Chrysanthus

Ornamental plants of the chrysanthus group contain a large number of crocus varieties that delight with yellow and light blue flowers. Among the most spectacular varieties, it is worth highlighting:

Crocus Gypsy Girl

• Gypsy Girl is a variety whose cupped flowers are wide open. The inner surface of the petals is painted in yellow tones, and the outer surface in creamy yellow shades.
• Marietta is an amazing plant that effectively combines the bright yellow and cream tones of the petals. The petals are naturally oval shaped. Yellow crocuses can decorate any flower bed.
• Lady Keeler is an ornamental crop whose flowers look completely flat despite their cupped shape. The diameter can be up to 3 cm across.
• Saturnus is distinguished by flat, wide-open flowers, the diameter of which is in the range of 32-35 mm. The tops of the lobes, painted in a creamy palette, are slightly elongated. At the base of the lobes, spots of a brown-green hue can be found.

Crocuses: growing and care

How to grow crocuses? In order for crocuses to grow healthy and delight with gorgeous flowering, it is advisable to adhere to the basic recommendations for care during cultivation. You can read the information on how to grow crocuses below.

• When choosing a site for planting crocuses in the garden, you should give preference to well-lit areas. If you grow the bushes in the shade, the buds will not be able to fully open.
• The soil for planting must be drained. It is advisable to plant flowers in a mixture of leafy soil, peat and a small portion of manure. It should be borne in mind that stagnation of excess moisture provokes rotting of the bulbs. The drainage layer can consist of both river sand and gravel.
• Saffron needs systematic moderate watering. When the dormant period comes, the plant can not be watered.
• Every 2-3 months it is necessary to feed the flowers with a small amount of mineral fertilizers, which contain phosphate and potassium.
• Crocus is a plant belonging to the category of heat-loving crops, so the temperature in the room where the pots of flowers are located should not fall below 17 degrees.

Crocus care is quite simple. That is why even inexperienced flower growers can grow an ornamental culture.

Bloom

You can often come across a question from inexperienced florists who came up with the idea to grow crocuses when these plants are blooming.

The flowering period can be varied depending on the variety. Goblet flowers, located on short stems, have 6 petals. After blooming, the flowers take on a star-shaped or cupped shape. The inflorescences are colored in various shades. Pollination of flowers is carried out by insects.

Features of spring and autumn planting

In the spring months, it is recommended to plant varieties that bloom in the fall in the ground. If you plant bushes during this period that bloom in the fall, then you can admire the gorgeous flowers already this season.

Decorative culture in landscape design

It is recommended to carry out planting work in spring in the middle of spring, when the threat of night frosts has passed.

If planting is planned in the fall, it is advisable to postpone it to October. Then, at the beginning of April, it will already be possible to admire the blooming of flowers of saffron varieties belonging to the category of spring flowering.

Planting and breeding methods

How do crocuses breed? Newcomers to floriculture often ask a similar question. Crocuses are propagated by bulbs, which can be separated from the mother's bulbs during scheduled transplants.

Separated children will be able to please with flowering after 2-3 years.

The moment of planting crocus in the ground

With the seed method of propagation, it takes about 4-5 years to expect when the plant blooms for the first time. This method is rarely used by flower growers.

Transfer

The bulbs must be planted every 2-3 years. The time for transplanting is selected depending on the variety.

Fall-blooming crocus varieties should be dug up in June. Spring flowering plants are transplanted in September.

After digging, the bulbs are dried and cleaned of defective scales. Dead roots are cut off, and diseased bulbs must be disposed of without regret. Any mechanical damage is treated with a small amount of crushed coal.

Possible growing problems

Observing the rules of agricultural technology, you can grow healthy crocus bushes that will not be susceptible to diseases and pests. However, in some cases, flowers can be damaged by:

• field mice eating bulbs;
• wireworms;
• slugs.

To cope with pests, you can use effective drugs of the type:

• Actars;
• Agravertine;
• Actellika;
• Fitoverma.

In case of improper care of flowers, the development of fungal diseases can be provoked. Most often, diseases such as fusarium and gray rot can harm green spaces. To cope with the disease, plants should be treated with special preparations as soon as possible.

Crocus is a flower that can be grown not only in the open field, but also in apartment conditions. By properly caring for the bushes, you can grow healthy plants that can delight you with bright flowering every season.