Crocus bulbs

Crocus bulbs: the first colour of the year

While the rest of the garden is still asleep, crocuses are already pushing through the soil. Plant crocus bulbs in autumn and you'll have carpets of purple, white and blue in February and March, in your lawn, under shrubs or in a pot on the patio. On a sunny day the flowers open wide and the first bees of the year come buzzing in. This collection includes large-flowered crocuses and dainty species crocuses, in single colours and in mixes.

Crocuses may be small, but they do a lot. They're easy to plant, take up very little space and, in the right spot, come back every year, often with more flowers than before. Below you'll find when and how deep to plant, which varieties suit your garden and how to naturalise them in grass. Looking for more spring colour? Browse our full range of flower bulbs.

Why grow crocuses?

Buy crocus bulbs once and you'll enjoy them for years. Here's why they're such good value:

• First to flower: crocuses are among the very first flowers of the year, bringing colour in February when there's little else to see.
• Early food for bees: on mild days bumblebees and honeybees are already out. Crocuses give them nectar and pollen when hardly anything else is in flower.
• Made for lawns: the leaves are narrow and die back early, so you can get the mower out again soon.
• Back every year: crocuses naturalise well and spread through new corms and seed.
• Need very little space: they fit in the smallest pot, between paving, under shrubs and along the edge of a border.

When to plant crocus bulbs

Plant crocus bulbs in autumn, from September to November. Because they flower so early, crocuses like to be in the ground in good time so they can root before winter. September and October are ideal. If you're running late, you can keep planting into November and even December as long as the ground isn't frozen; they'll simply flower a little later and perhaps less generously in the first year.

Although we call them bulbs, crocuses actually grow from crocus corms: small, flattened corms wrapped in a papery brown tunic. For planting, it makes no difference.

How deep to plant crocus bulbs

Crocuses are planted shallow: 5 to 8 cm deep, measured from the base of the corm. That's roughly two to three times the corm's height, the rule of thumb for all bulbs. On light, sandy soil go for the deeper end; on heavy clay, the shallower one.

Planting crocuses in five steps

• Pick a sunny spot: crocuses only open their flowers in sunshine. Full sun or light shade is ideal.
• Make sure it drains: the corms dislike sitting wet. Lighten heavy soil with some grit or compost.
• Pointed end up: set the corms with the tip facing up. If in doubt, lay them on their side and they'll find their own way.
• Be generous: allow 50 to 100 crocuses per square metre. The more you plant, the better the carpet.
• Keep mice away: mice and squirrels love crocus corms. A piece of chicken wire over the area or a planting basket helps.

When do crocuses flower?

Crocuses flower in February and March, depending on the variety and the weather. Species crocuses are the earliest and often open in February. Large-flowered crocuses follow a few weeks later, usually in March. On grey, cold days the flowers stay closed, but as soon as the sun comes out they open wide to show their orange centres.

Combine species and large-flowered crocuses to stretch the season by weeks. After that, other spring bulbs take over: early daffodils overlap with the last crocuses, and tulips follow in April and May.

Which crocuses should you choose?

There are two main groups of crocus: large-flowered and species. Our range includes both, in single colours and in mixes.

Large-flowered crocuses

Large-flowered crocuses have the biggest blooms and flower slightly later than the species types, usually in March. They come in purple, white and blue, plain or striped. The Large Flowering mix gives you a colourful combination in one go that works just as well in a lawn as in pots.

Species crocuses

Species or botanical crocuses are close to their wild ancestors. Their flowers are smaller and more delicate, but each corm produces more of them and they open earlier. They also naturalise very well. Ruby Giant is a robust purple crocus that happily spreads through grass. The Species mix brings together several species crocuses in a range of shades.

Single colours: Blue, White and Blue-White

For a calm, clean look, choose crocuses in a single colour. Blue creates a cool blue carpet, while White gives a fresh sea of white that glows beautifully under trees and shrubs. Blue-White combines both shades for a natural yet restful effect.

Crocus mixes

Prefer a cheerful mix? A ready-made crocus mix gives you several colours that go well together. If you'd like different kinds of bulbs combined, take a look at our bulb mixes too.

Crocuses for every spot

Planting crocus in lawns

Crocus bulbs for lawns create one of the loveliest sights of early spring. There are two easy ways to plant them. Use a spade to cut and lift a flap of turf, place the corms underneath and press the turf back down. Or use a bulb planter or narrow trowel to make individual holes 5 to 8 cm deep. Scatter the corms over the grass first and plant them where they land for a natural look. Don't mow until the crocus leaves have turned yellow, usually four to six weeks after flowering. For more bulbs that spread on their own, see our naturalising bulbs.

In borders and under shrubs

At the front of a border and under deciduous shrubs, crocuses get plenty of light in early spring. Plant them in large groups and let them spread year after year. They look lovely with grape hyacinths, snowdrops and hyacinths.

In pots and containers

Crocuses also do very well in pots and containers on a windowsill outside, the patio or the balcony. Plant them close together for a full look and choose a pot with a drainage hole, for example from our outdoor pots and baskets. In a bulb lasagne, crocuses go in the top layer: they flower first, then the hyacinths and tulips below take over.

Crocus care after flowering

Crocuses need very little attention. These tips will keep them flowering for years:

• Leave the leaves: the narrow foliage builds up reserves for next year. Only mow or cut it once it has turned yellow.
• Let faded flowers be: if you'd like crocuses to self-seed, simply leave the flowers in place.
• Feed now and then: a thin layer of compost in autumn is plenty.
• Divide crowded clumps: if groups become too dense, lift them once the foliage has died back, separate the corms and replant them in autumn.
• Leave them be: beyond that there's nothing to do. Crocuses are fully hardy and come back on their own.

Crocus corms are not edible. Keep them out of reach of pets and young children.

Order your crocus bulbs from Green Bubble

✔ Fresh from the grower
✔ Large-flowered and species crocuses, in single colours and mixes
✔ Perfect for lawns, borders and pots
✔ Personal advice from our Personal Plantshopper

Plant your crocuses this autumn and watch your lawn turn into a sea of colour next spring. Not sure which crocuses suit your garden? Our Personal Plantshopper is happy to help you choose.