Crocus vernus ‘Vanguard’ (Dutch Crocus)

Usually the earliest of the large crocus cultivars to flower, Giant Dutch Crocus ‘Vanguard’ is a cheerful sight with its large, cup-shaped, bluish-lilac flowers adorned with brilliant orange stamens and stigma. The outer petals are paler and silvered. A feast for the eyes. Extremely vigorous, long-lived and appropriate for naturalizing, this crocus belongs to the Crocus vernus group, known for its flowers that are larger than any other of the crocuses.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• This crocus blooms for about 3 weeks in 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 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, 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. Great for forcing!
• To be planted in fall.
• Crocus vernus is native to the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Balkans.