SCIENTIFIC NAME: Crocus hybrids

COMMON NAME: Crocus

FAMILY: Iridaceae

TYPE: short-lived perennial in zone 8

LEAVES grass-like, curved, dark green and often with a silver-white stripe down the center of each leaf, appear at same time or slightly later than flowers

FLOWER: single or occasionally in cymes, close at night and in full shade, white, purple, yellow, often striped

SEASON OF BLOOM: late winter to early spring for about 2 weeks; one of the earliest plants to flower

GROWTH HABIT: 6" to 9", upright

SOIL: well-drained sandy loam with well composted organic matter is preferred

SUN: full sun to part shade

HARDINESS: zones 4-9

UTILIZATION: mass plantings, naturalizing, excellent for early spring flowers

DISEASES: scab, dry rot, corm rot

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none serious

PROPAGATION: corms

MAINTENANCE: divide every 4 to 5 years