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International Flower Bulb Centre
Iridaceae
Crocus vernus 'Pickwick'
Vernal Crocus
At winter's end, the magnificent crocus ‘Pickwick’ bears chalice-shaped flowers with white and lilac-purple stripes. This small ephemeral “bulb” is actually borne from corms. Crocus vernus originates from the alpine regions of southern Europe from the Pyrenees and Alps eastward to the Carpathians.
Crocus foliage appears in early spring. The grassy leaves have thing midveins of white and fade away towards the end of spring. The glory of the vernal crocus is its flower. From late winter to late spring, its foliage and flowers appear as the soil warms and are often at odds with lingering drifts of snow. Each corm gives rise to one upright chalice-shaped flower with golden orange stigmas and stamens inside. Those of 'Pickwick' are white striped with fine lines of lilac-purple. Insects pollinate the blooms, and the fruits and seeds develop underground. Over time the plants will naturalize.
Grow vernal crocus in areas that are open and sunny in early spring. They grow best in friable, well-drained soil and only grow in areas with very cold winters. These ephemerals look terrific planted in masses in lawns, rock gardens and mixed borders. Some even force them indoors in mid to late winter.
8 - 1
3 - 8
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
Full Sun, Partial Sun
3"-6" / 7.6cm - 15.2cm
2"-4" / 5.1cm - 10.2cm
Early Spring, Late Winter
Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Asia
Acidic, Neutral
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Medium
Average Water
Clump-Forming
Spring
Showy
White, Purple, Violet
Bicolor, Striped
White, Dark Green
Striped/Striated
Green, Dark Green
Yes
No
Single
Fine
Glossy
Alpine, Lawns and Turf, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
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