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Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ (Early Crocus)

Crocus 'Ruby Giant', Early Crocus, Botanical Crocus, Snow Crocus, Lilac Tommy, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers

Crocus Tommasinianus, botanical Crocus, Crocus 'Ruby Giant', Early Crocus, Botanical Crocus, Snow Crocus, Lilac Tommy, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers, early spring bulb, late winter blooming bulb
Crocus Tommasinianus, botanical Crocus, Crocus 'Ruby Giant', Early Crocus, Botanical Crocus, Snow Crocus, Lilac Tommy, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers, early spring bulb, late winter blooming bulb
Crocus Tommasinianus, botanical Crocus, Crocus 'Ruby Giant', Early Crocus, Botanical Crocus, Snow Crocus, Lilac Tommy, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers, early spring bulb, late winter blooming bulb

Fast spreading, Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ boasts rich red-purple, star-shaped flowers adorned with bright orange anthers. The grass-like foliage displays narrow, median silvery stripes. Borne on sturdy stems, the flowers withstand wind and rain. The profuse flowering and spontaneous self-propagation make this crocus a very great choice for naturalizing. Once the corms of ‘Ruby Giant’ have established themselves, their flowers will emerge year after year in seemingly infinite numbers. This early spring-flowering crocus is one of the best for naturalizing in grass. Great also planted in clusters at the front of borders or in patio pots.

  • 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 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 tommasinianus is native to Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania, and the former Yugoslavia.

Very few early-flowering bulbous, tuberous, and cormous plants are so massively planted as the Crocus. Together with tulips, hyacinths, and narcissi, these plants are the most commonly found ‘bulb’ plants in gardens and parks. More than 100 species are known, but only thirty have been cultivated. Some crocuses flower in the fall, but these are fairly rare. Crocuses are lovely in lawns as well as in the perennial border where they join the other very early perennials in ringing in the flowering season.

Learn How To Plant And Care for Your Spring Flower Bulbs


 To achieve optimum flowering results, it is important to plant the bulbs at the right time.

Requirements

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 Iridaceae
Genus Crocus
Common names Early Crocus, Crocus
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Winter
Height 3" - 4"
(8cm - 10cm)
Spread 1" - 2"
(3cm - 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
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Crocus vernus ‘Grand Maitre’ (Dutch Crocus)
Crocus tommasinianus ‘Barr’s Purple’ (Early Crocus)
Crocus tommasinianus ‘Lilac Beauty’ (Early Crocus)
Crocus vernus ‘King of the Striped’ (Dutch Crocus)
Crocus ancyrensis ‘Golden Bunch’ (Snow Crocus)
Crocus chrysanthus ‘Herald’ (Snow Crocus)

Recommended Companion Plants

Crocus tommasinianus ‘Whitewell Purple’ (Early Crocus)
Scilla bifolia (Alpine Squill)
Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)
Crocus vernus ‘Pickwick’ (Dutch Crocus)
Scilla mischtschenkoana (White Squill)
Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Crocus
Pretty Flowers for your Winter Garden
Underplanting Roses with Low-Growing Spring Bulbs
Bulbs that return to the garden year after year!
Crocus chrysanthus (Snow Crocus)
Crocus sieberi (Sieber’s Crocus)
Crocus vernus (Dutch Crocus)
Crocus tommasinianus (Early Crocus)
Why Spring is Really Three Seasons
Learn How To Plant And Care for Your Spring Flower Bulbs
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
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Lasagne Planting Method
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.
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Requirements

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 Iridaceae
Genus Crocus
Common names Early Crocus, Crocus
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Winter
Height 3" - 4"
(8cm - 10cm)
Spread 1" - 2"
(3cm - 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
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Crocus
Guides with
Crocus
Not sure which Crocus to pick?
Compare Now

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