Planting Autumn Crocus in the Garden

As its name reveals: The autumn crocus blooms in fall. Therefore, it is planted earlier than other crocus varieties.

Crocuses are classic early bloomers. They stretch towards the first warm sunbeams and usher in spring. Because of their fame as harbingers of spring, it's easy to forget their relative for the darker season. However, the autumn crocus is in no way inferior to them.

Crocuses are usually planted between September and October, as they only bloom in spring. Not so their autumn-flowering relative. The best time for planting the autumn crocus is August. From then on, it only needs about 6 weeks to reach full bloom. It's best to plant small groups of 6 to 10 bulbs to make the bloom stand out optimally. Choose a warm and wind-sheltered spot, ideally even in the root area of woody plants. However, the flowers must receive enough sun, as they need a sunny to partially shaded location. The soil should be humus-rich and not too dry. Plant the bulbs about 8 centimeters deep; a little more is also fine.

There are three popular and widespread types of autumn crocus. First, there's the Showy Autumn Crocus (Crocus speciosus) with its violet-blue blossoms. It's also available in white and sky blue, which allows for exciting color combinations. The simple Autumn Crocus (Crocus kotschyanus) blooms pink and is particularly robust. You can look forward to delicate but strong blossoms! This crocus is also well-suited for naturalizing in lawns. Lastly, there's the Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) to choose from. It blooms light violet, and with its long, golden-yellow stamens, it is indeed the source of the spice of the same name. Unlike its easy-care siblings, you should protect this crocus well from moisture. It's suitable for rock gardens, but it develops its foliage already in the autumn. The other species bloom in autumn and only sprout their leaves in spring.

Autumn crocuses have small, elegant blossoms. Therefore, it's best to plant several flowers together. This way, they form islands of color or entire seas of blooms and cannot be overlooked. This is especially true for gardens with many plants. In rock gardens, however, autumn crocuses create an impressive effect even in smaller groups. Here, you can also play excellently with different color variations of the same species. But it's not just about the combination among themselves. The autumn crocus is a very good planting partner for woody plants with autumn foliage. The variety of colors brings change to the dark season and life to the autumnal garden!