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Crocus tommasinianus

Common Name(s):

Description

Snow Crocus is a late winter to early spring blooming bulb native to southeastern Europe.  It is one of the first to pop its leaves above the ground and can bloom when there is snow on the ground, hence the common name.  Plant them 3 to 4 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in average well-drained soils.  They prefer sandy soils and do not do well in poorly drained clay soil.   They perform best in full sun but tolerate partial shade. Blooms will appear in the morning, closing in the evenings and they will remain closed on cloudy days.

Mass plant them along walkways, in front of trees or shrubs in woodland or rock gardens, or let naturalize in a lawn.  If planted in a lawn wait until the leaves turn yellow before mowing.  They tuck into small spaces well and really bring some interest to a garden after the long sleep of winter.

They tolerate browsing from deer and the allelopathic chemicals of black walnut.  It is reportedly resistant to foraging by squirrels as well. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Reportatly better at resisting squirrel, mice and other rodent damage than other Crocus speices.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small spaces#purple flowers#low maintenance#winter interest#mass planting#naturalizes#rock garden#flowers early spring#walkway planting#flowers late winter#squirrel resistant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small spaces#purple flowers#low maintenance#winter interest#mass planting#naturalizes#rock garden#flowers early spring#walkway planting#flowers late winter#squirrel resistant#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Crocus
    Species:
    tommasinianus
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Lavender to red purple 6 petaled flowers with white throats appear from late winter to early spring.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    3-5 basal strappy green leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer