Crocus Orange Monarch

General Planting Advice

Top Tips for Bulbs Planting:
1. Buying – When buying your bulbs, choose bulbs that are firm and feel heavy for their size. Reject any that are mouldy, damaged or feel soft.
2. Planting Depth – Bulbs generally need to be planted about twice their height depth.
3. Group Together – Plant bulbs in groups – odd numbers of bulbs in each group work the best. Generally the larger the group, the better the display looks. Single bulbs dotted around the garden never seem to make an impact.
4. Woodland Planting – If you are going for a random effect in a woodland/wild setting, throw the bulbs in front of you and plant them where the land. This helps to avoid a ‘regimented’ look.
5. Don’t Mix – Try not to plant a mix of bulbs together unless they are combination. Make sure to check flowering times and heights, as this can often lead to a disappointing show.
6. Container Planting – Most bulbs tend to do well in containers. Dwarf varieties will often echo the scale of the container.

Successional Display

Your garden and containers can look sensational for weeks if you choose bulbs for a successional display.

What to do if your bulbs fail to flower!

Where established clumps of your bulbs fail to produce a successful display, follow these simple steps to help revive them for the following years:

• Water and feed clumps throughout spring, and leave the stalks/leaves to die down naturally.
• Mark the position of underperforming clumps. Make a note in your diary to lift, divide and replant these bulbs in September-October.
• Replant at 3-4 times the depth of the bulb, into soil that has been improved with garden compost. Give each bulb its own space, so that it grows on strongly next spring.
• Repeat this autumn lifting and dividing every three-four years.

Naturalising Crocuses In Grass/Lawns:

Neat/Structured -

1. Use a lawn edging tool/spade to cut an ‘H shape’ into the turf.

2. Push the spade under the turf, cutting the grass roots, easing back a layer of turf.

3. Fork over the soil to break it up. Then spread the bulbs over the surface of the soil, keeping them spread apart. Plant the crocus corms pointed end up.

4. Push the bulbs down firmly. Then fold back the two flaps of soil to cover the bulbs.

5. Walk over the turf to firm it down, making sure its level with the rest of the lawn. Water the area afterwards.

Random/Natural –

1. Scatter handfuls of crocus bulbs randomly over the surface of the lawn.

2. Pick up each bulb and use a planter to remove the turf and soil (about 5-7.5cm deep).

3. Drop the bulb into the hole, keeping the bulb pointing upwards.

4. Replace the soil and turf, firmly into a position over the bulb.

5. Tread down, and water well, being careful not to over water the area.

Extra Tip!!

• You’re aiming for a natural effect so try to not be too precise when planting.

What To Do After Flowering?

• Let the bulbs complete their growing cycle before cutting the grass.
• Leave the foliage to grow for about 6-8 weeks after flowering. This allows the bulbs time to build up resources to bloom again next year.
• As the grass will grow quite long, if you need to cut the grass, mow carefully around the clumps of foliage. Avoid damaging the foliage at all times.
• If you want the crocus to set seed, you’ll have to wait for the seeds to ripen and fall before mowing the grass.

Frequently Asked Questions??

1. How can I stop rodents from eating my corms?

There are many different ways to help prevent rodents such as squirrels and mice from attacking your crocus. One way is to put up chicken wire over planted areas of the border, just under the soil. Another way is to sprinkle dried chillies over the area when the shoots appear. Though this way will not stop pheasants/other birds.

2. What are the best crocus for planting in grass?

Most crocus naturalise well in lawns. They are a good choice as they flower early and die down quickly, so you do not have to leave the grass uncut for ages. Crocus tommasinianus is especially good as it flowers early and seeds prolifically.

3. Why do birds attack crocus flowers?

No one really knows the answer to this one. It does not seem to be for food, though it may be to get nectar from the flowers.

4. Which crocus are best for pots?

Most crocus will grow well in containers. One thing to be aware of is that after the flowers have faded, the leaves can be present for several months.

5. What crocus are best for growing in pots for the house?

Crocus do not like warm temperatures, so crocus houseplants are not the best option. The best way to grow crocus for the house is to grow them in a cold frame/greenhouse to start with. When the flower buds start to show colour, bring them into the house. Once in the house the crocus should open wide. Crocus chrysanthus varieties seem to like this way.

6. Why do crocus fail to flower after a few years?

They maybe overcrowded as they are often planted in the shade. Also crocus generally like sunny, exposed places in the wild. So they grow and flower best in similar conditions in the garden.

7. How deep should I plant crocus?

Crocus have the ability to adjust their height in the soil. Most crocus can be planted 5-7cm (2-3in) deep. Plant deeper if you are troubled by rodents such as squirrels and mice.

8. When is the best time to move crocus in the garden?

As they are underground for about eight months of the year, there is not much opportunity to dig up and move crocus. The ideal time tends to be just after flowering, when they are in leaf or just starting to die down.

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