One of the most popular species, Crocus vernus is an early spring blooming bulb that is widely grown in gardens or used for winter forcing. Its flowers are larger than any other of the crocuses, hence its common names of large flowering crocus or giant crocus. They range from yellow, white, and purple to striped or bronze. Many popular hybrids of this crocus have been developed over the years.

• Blooming occurs in early spring for about three weeks. 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 4-6 inches tall (10-15 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
• Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun or light shade.
• Stunning in beds, lawns, under trees, rock gardens, in 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 fall.
• Crocus vernus is native to the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Balkans.