Alphabetical Plant Listing

Crocus tommasinianus (Early Crocus)

Early Crocus, Botanical Crocus, Snow Crocus, Lilac Tommy, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers (Crocus Tommasinianus)


Among the earliest to flower, this species has elegant blossoms of pale lavender to red-purple with a silvery reverse. The profuse flowering and spontaneous self-propagation make this crocus a very good choice for naturalizing.

  • Blooming occurs from late winter to early spring. 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. Did you know that crocus bulbs remaining in the ground will always bloom a bit earlier than the ones planted the previous year?
  • Growing up to 3-4 inches tall (7-10 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
  • Easily grown in averagemedium moisturewell-drained soils in full sun or light shade.
  • Stunning in bedslawnsunder trees, rock gardensin front of shrubs, and along walkways. Spectacular in large sweeping drifts. For optimal effect, 100 to 150 corms should be planted. If used in lawns, however, the grass may not be mowed until six weeks after the crocuses have bloomed. If mowed earlier than this, the newly forming cormlets (developing on top of the mother corm) will not become large enough to flower next year.
  • To be planted in the fall.
  • Crocus tommasinianus is native to Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania, and the former Yugoslavia.

Guide Information

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
Plant Family Crocus
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Winter
Height 3" - 4" (7cm - 10cm)
Spread 2" (5cm)
Spacing 2" (5cm)
Depth 3" (7cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Landscaping Ideas Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

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
Plant Family Crocus
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Winter
Height 3" - 4" (7cm - 10cm)
Spread 2" (5cm)
Spacing 2" (5cm)
Depth 3" (7cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Landscaping Ideas Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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