Early Crocus, Botanical Crocus, Snow Crocus, Woodland Crocus, Lilac Tommy, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers
Crocus tommasinianus, also known as Tommasini’s crocus or the early crocus, is a delightful spring-blooming bulbous perennial cherished for its dainty, nodding flowers, adding a charming touch to gardens and naturalized areas.
Native: Crocus tommasinianus, commonly known as ‘Tommies’ or ‘Tommy crocus,’ is native to Bulgaria, Hungary, and the former Yugoslavia. It has adapted well to a wide range of climates and conditions around the world.
Description: This charming crocus features delicate, cup-shaped flowers in shades of lavender, mauve, or lilac, often with a silvery exterior. Each bulb produces multiple slender, grass-like leaves and one to several flowers.
Growth Habit: Tommies are perennial and grow from corms. They have a clump-forming growth habit and, over time, can naturalize and spread to cover larger areas, creating a carpet of early spring color.
Size: These petite plants typically grow 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) tall, making them suitable for the front of borders, rock gardens, lawns, and containers.
Flowers: The flowers of Crocus tommasinianus are small but beautiful. Each bulb produces one to several blooms, generally lavender, mauve, or lilac, with a silvery exterior and bright orange stamens. The calyx-shaped flowers open only when the sun shines or when there is a lot of light; they close up in rainy weather and at night.
Foliage: The slender, grass-like foliage of the Crocus tommasinianus is an attractive green color and generally appears at the same time as or just before the flowers.
Blooming Season: One of the earliest blooming crocuses, the flowers appear in late winter to early spring, often emerging through snow, which makes them one of the first food sources for bees and other pollinators.
Hardiness: They are very hardy plants, suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.
Uses: Tommies are commonly used in rock gardens, woodland gardens, under trees and shrubs, in lawns or along pathways. They’re also ideal for naturalizing in grassy areas.
Pollinators: The flowers are a valuable early food source for bees and other pollinators, which can help support these beneficial insects when few other food sources are available.
Toxicity: Like many other members of the Crocus genus, Crocus tommasinianus is toxic if ingested. It’s best to keep pets and small children away from them.
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Although deer and rabbits may nibble on the foliage, the corms (bulbs) of Crocus tommasinianus are typically left alone. It is reportedly better at resisting squirrel, mice, and other rodent damage than other Crocus species.
Drought Tolerance: Once established, Crocus tommasinianus has good drought tolerance. It’s best to provide regular watering during its growth and bloom period, but afterward, the corms can survive dry summer conditions.
Invasiveness: While these plants can self-seed and spread, they’re not considered invasive. In fact, their ability to naturalize and fill in areas with their lovely blooms is often seen as a positive trait.
Key Facts: Crocus tommasinianus was named after the botanist Muzio G. Spirito de Tommasini (1794-1879), the Mayor of Trieste (Italy), and avid botanist.
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Bulbs |
| Genus | Crocus |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early) Winter |
| Height |
3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm) |
| Spread | 2" (5cm) |
| Spacing | 2" (5cm) |
| Depth | 3" (8cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Banks And Slopes |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Crocus tommasinianus is a wonderful addition to any garden for numerous reasons:
Early Blooming: As one of the first flowers to bloom in late winter to early spring, Tommies can help banish the winter blues and provide a much-needed burst of color. Their emergence is often a sign that spring is on its way.
Easy to Grow: Tommies are quite easy to grow. They can thrive in a wide range of soils, including clay, and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. Once established, they are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making them a good choice for both experienced gardeners and beginners.
Beneficial for Pollinators: Their early blooming nature provides an essential source of nectar for bees and other pollinators when few other plants are in bloom.
Naturalize Well: Crocus tommasinianus bulbs multiply quickly and self-seed freely, creating a carpet of color over time. This can be especially striking when planted in lawns or under deciduous trees.
Deer and Rabbit Resistant: While the foliage may occasionally be nibbled, the corms (bulbs) are typically left alone by deer and rabbits, making them a good choice for areas where these animals are problematic.
Versatility: Tommies are versatile and can be used in various garden settings, including borders, rock gardens, containers, or naturalized in lawns or woodland gardens.
Petite Size: Their small size makes them perfect for the front of borders or growing in rock gardens and containers.
In essence, adding Crocus tommasinianus to your garden not only offers aesthetic appeal with their beautiful early spring blooms but also encourages beneficial pollinators and adds a layer of resilience against pests. They’re a great way to kickstart your gardening season.
Designing a garden with Crocus tommasinianus can bring an enchanting early spring display that sparks life into the landscape after a long, dreary winter. Here are some design ideas:
Naturalized in Lawns: The delicate and charming flowers look fabulous when naturalized in lawns. When the flowers bloom in late winter or early spring, they’ll create a carpet of color, looking like a scattering of confetti. Remember, don’t mow the lawn until their foliage has died down, usually around six weeks after flowering.
Under Deciduous Trees: Since they bloom early in the season, ‘Tommies’ can enjoy the full sun before the trees fully leaf out. As a result, planting them under deciduous trees can create a delightful woodland feel.
Container Plantings: If you’re short on space, Crocus tommasinianus can be planted in containers or window boxes for an early season lift. They pair well with other early spring bloomers like winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) and snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis).
Rock Gardens: With their small size and low-growing habit, ‘Tommies’ are a great fit for rock gardens, where their vibrant blooms can create an eye-catching contrast with the rocks.
Borders and Paths: Line garden borders or paths with these bulbs for a cheery welcome in the spring. This works particularly well in cottage-style or informal gardens.
Companions: Crocus tommasinianus pairs well with other early spring blooming plants such as hellebores, primroses, and daffodils, allowing you to extend the bloom season.
Patterns and Groups: For a striking visual impact, consider planting the bulbs in patterns or large groups. This will produce a concentrated pop of color and a greater visual impact than planting individually.
Remember that ‘Tommies’ multiply quickly and self-seed, so over time, they can spread and create a stunning, natural-looking display. Regardless of where you plant them, they’re sure to bring early color and cheer to your garden.
Crocus tommasinianus, with their early-spring blooms, pair well with other plants that also thrive in early spring or provide a pleasing contrast in color, texture, or bloom time. Here are some companion plant suggestions:
Galanthus (Snowdrops): These are among the first bulbs to bloom in late winter to early spring, making them a great companion for Crocus tommasinianus. They provide a beautiful white contrast to the purple crocus blooms.
Hellebores (Lenten Rose or Christmas Rose): Hellebores are early bloomers and their foliage remains attractive even after the flowers have faded, providing a continued interest in the garden.
Primula (Primroses): The vivid colors of primroses make a beautiful display with the subtle hues of Crocus tommasinianus. Both enjoy similar growing conditions.
Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite): Winter aconite shares a similar blooming period with Crocus tommasinianus, bringing bright yellow to the landscape, contrasting nicely with the crocus’s purple blooms.
Early blooming Narcissus (Daffodils): Daffodils bloom slightly later, extending the bloom season in your garden. Their taller, larger flowers also provide a nice contrast to the more petite crocuses.
Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris): Crocus tommasinianus and Iris reticulata make delightful companions in the spring garden, with their vibrant colors and compact sizes complementing each other. Their simultaneous blooming creates a beautiful display of contrasting hues, adding interest and charm to beds, borders, and rock gardens.
Planting Crocus tommasinianus in combination with these plants can help ensure a continuous display of color and interest in your garden from early spring onwards.
Growing Crocus tommasinianus is relatively straightforward. Follow these steps to ensure healthy growth:
Planting Time: The best time to plant Crocus tommasinianus is in the fall, ideally in September or October, before the first hard frost.
Site Selection: Select a site that gets full sun to light shade. These plants can grow under deciduous trees, where they’ll finish blooming before the trees fully leaf out.
Soil Preparation: The soil should be well-drained as the bulbs can rot in waterlogged soil. If the soil is heavy clay, consider adding some grit or sand to improve the drainage.
Planting: Plant the corms (a type of bulb) about 3 inches (7 cm) deep and 2 inches (5 cm) apart with the pointed end facing upwards. Planting them in groups for a more substantial visual impact can be beneficial.
Aftercare: Water the corms well after planting. Once established, Crocus tommasinianus is fairly drought-tolerant but will appreciate water during its growth and bloom period.
Remember, always try to let the leaves die back naturally as they gather energy for the next year’s bloom. If the leaves are removed prematurely, it may result in fewer blooms the following year.
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Bulbs |
| Genus | Crocus |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early) Winter |
| Height |
3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm) |
| Spread | 2" (5cm) |
| Spacing | 2" (5cm) |
| Depth | 3" (8cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Banks And Slopes |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
