(Spring Crocus)

Opening its bright sunny flowers during some of the dullest and coldest days of the year, this crocus from central Turkey has been a welcome sight in gardens since its introduction to horticulture in the late nineteenth century.

Growing from a small bulb-like storage organ known as a corm, this diminutive herbaceous perennial sends up one or two glowing orange-yellow flowers in late winter or early spring, just as the grassy, gray-green leaves emerge. Held on short, erect, stalk-like floral tubes,...

(Golden Bunch Crocus, Spring Crocus)

Opening its bright sunny flowers during some of the dullest and coldest days of the year, Crocus ancyrensis has been a welcome sight in gardens since its introduction to horticulture from central Turkey in the late nineteenth century. It is usually cultivated in the form of 'Golden Bunch,' which produces up to five flowers rather than the typical one or two.

Growing from a small bulb-like storage organ known as a corm, this diminutive herbaceous perennial sends up glowing orange-yellow...

(Snow Crocus)

Most gardeners know the delight of the first crocus of spring. Relatively few, though, have experienced the joy of crocuses at other seasons. Yet, in their native haunts in Europe and western Asia, these hardy herbaceous "bulbs" are as much a presence at the growing season's end as at its beginning.

Crocus are members of the Iris family, Iridaceae. They bear chalice-shaped flowers of yellow, blue, purple, or white with long floral tubes that extend underground and may bloom in winter,...

(Snow Crocus)

Most gardeners know the delight of the first crocus of spring. Relatively few, though, have experienced the joy of crocuses at other seasons. Yet, in their native haunts in Europe and western Asia, these hardy herbaceous "bulbs" are as much a presence at the growing season's end as at its beginning.

Crocus are members of the Iris family, Iridaceae. They bear chalice-shaped flowers of yellow, blue, purple, or white with long floral tubes that extend underground and may bloom in winter,...

(Cartwright's Fall Crocus, Wild Saffron)

A close cousin and presumed parent of saffron crocus, this fall-blooming "bulb" comes from Greece and neighboring Mediterranean islands. Growing from a small bulb-like storage organ known as a corm, this diminutive herbaceous perennial sends up one to five fragrant lilac-purple or white flowers from early to mid-autumn, just as the grassy, gray-green leaves emerge. Held on upright, stalk-like, ankle-high floral tubes, the goblet-shaped flowers have yellow anthers, red styles, and white or lilac throats,...

(Cartwright's Fall Crocus, White Wild Saffron, Wild Saffron)

A close cousin and presumed parent of saffron crocus, Crocus cartwrightianus is a diminutive herbaceous perennial from Greece and neighboring Mediterranean islands. Albino forms – including the pure white 'Albus' – are common in the wild. Growing from a small bulb-like storage organ known as a corm, 'Albus' sends up one to five fragrant flowers from early to mid-autumn, just as the grassy, gray-green leaves emerge. Held on upright, stalk-like, ankle-high floral tubes, the goblet-shaped flowers...

(Snow Crocus, Yellow Snow Crocus)

Freely producing its cheerful, sunny blossoms in the waning chill of late winter, this native of southeastern Europe and western and central Turkey is a quintessential harbinger of spring. It has also teamed with the white-flowered C. biflorus to produce numerous white-, yellow-, and blue-flowered hybrids known as "snow crocuses."

Like all other crocuses, this diminutive herbaceous perennial grows from a small bulb-like storage organ known as a corm. In late winter or early...

(E.P. Bowles Crocus, Snow Crocus)

Freely producing its cheerful, sunny blossoms in the waning chill of late winter, this native of southeastern Europe and western and central Turkey is a quintessential harbinger of spring. It has also teamed with the white-flowered C. biflorus to produce numerous white-, yellow-, and blue-flowered hybrids known as "snow crocuses."

Like all other crocuses, this diminutive herbaceous perennial grows from a small bulb-like storage organ known as a corm. In late winter or early...

(Cream Beauty Snow Crocus, Snow Crocus)

Freely flowering its pale ivory-yellow blossoms in the waning chill of late winter, Cream Beauty snow crocus is also fragrant from the small, cute blooms. A perennial that grows from a small bulb, it is native to the montane regions of the Balkans in southern Europe.

The dull green, short and grass-like foliage emerges in the strengthening late winter sun, often poking up out of melting snows. Each plant produces one to four small flowers, each colored cremy ivory to light yellow with a blush...

(Yellow Spring Crocus)

Opening its bright sunny flowers during some of the dullest and coldest days of the year, this variable crocus from Turkey and southeastern Europe is best known by its large-flowered hybrid, 'Dutch Yellow.' Numerous other selections and hybrids of Crocus flavus have been introduced since it entered gardens more than 400 years ago. Most of these are now lost.

Growing from a small bulb-like storage organ known as a corm, this diminutive herbaceous perennial sends up one to four fragrant,...