When do I plant crocus?

Spring-flowering crocuses: plant corms in September to November, before soil cools below 5°C. Autumn-flowering crocuses (including saffron): plant corms in July or August for autumn bloom the same year. For lawn naturalising: late September is ideal — soil is still warm but autumn rains have started. Plant 5–7 cm deep, 5 cm apart, in groups of 15–20 minimum for visual impact.

Why are squirrels digging up my crocuses?

Squirrels eat crocus corms — particularly the larger Dutch hybrid types. Three defences. (1) Plant squirrel-resistant species: Crocus tommasinianus has corms that squirrels rarely touch; the standard for lawn naturalising. (2) Chicken wire under planting: bury 1 cm mesh wire 5 cm below the corms; flowers grow through, squirrels can't dig down. (3) Plant deeper: 10 cm instead of 5–7 cm — squirrels rarely excavate that deep.

When do I cut crocus foliage down?

Never — let it die back naturally in May. The grass-like leaves photosynthesise to fuel next year's flowers; cutting them early kills the colony within 2–3 years. In lawns: delay mowing the crocus area until at least mid-May, by which time leaves have yellowed and collapsed. In borders: leave the yellowing foliage; tuck it gently under emerging perennials if it looks tatty.

Will crocuses naturalise in my lawn?

Yes — exactly where they thrive. Lawn crocuses are one of the great UK garden classics. Best species for lawn naturalising: Crocus tommasinianus — small, vigorous, mouse-and-squirrel-resistant, multiplies by both seed and bulb division. Plant in autumn: lift small squares of turf, scatter corms, replace turf. Don't mow until mid-May. Over 5–10 years the colony spreads into a drift.

How do I grow my own saffron?

Plant Crocus sativus corms in July–August, 10 cm deep, in full sun in well-drained soil. Flowers appear in late October–November. Harvest: pick the whole flower as it opens, carefully pluck out the three orange-red stigmas. Dry on paper in a warm dry place for 2–3 days. Yield: 100–200 flowers per gram of dried saffron. A 200-corm bed produces about 1 g per year — enough for several saffron dishes. Best crop in dry sunny UK summers (which precondition the corms).

Can I grow crocuses in pots?

Yes — pots showcase crocuses brilliantly. Use a 25 cm pot of peat-free compost with grit added for drainage. Plant 20–30 corms per pot, 5 cm deep. For spring crocus: plant in October, leave outside in a cool spot through winter. Move to a sunny porch or doorstep in February for the flower display. Watering: don't waterlog. Replant in the garden after the foliage dies back in May — pot crocuses rarely flower a second year in the same compost.

Crocus

Plantez les bulbes de crocus à l'automne (septembre-novembre) à une profondeur de 5 à 7 cm dans un sol bien drainé : ce sont des bulbes rustiques à floraison printanière qui produisent des fleurs éclatantes en forme de coupe en février-mars, parmi les premières à égayer les jardins britanniques. Les crocus sont rustiques (RHS H6–H7) et se divisent en deux catégories : les variétés à floraison printanière (les espèces de jardin les plus populaires — C. tommasinianus, C. chrysanthus, C. vernus et les hybrides néerlandais) et les variétés à floraison automnale (C. sativus = safran, C. speciosus = crocus d'automne, à planter en été pour une floraison en automne). Pour la naturalisation dans les pelouses britanniques, « Tommasinianus » est imbattable : petit, vigoureux, résistant aux souris et aux écureuils, il se propage en touffes. Laissez le feuillage se faner naturellement avant de tondre — même règle que pour les perce-neige. Les écureuils déterrent et mangent les bulbes de crocus (en particulier les grands hybrides néerlandais) ; protégez-les avec du grillage ou cultivez le C. tommasinianus, résistant aux écureuils.

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