Tecophilaea cyanocrocus

RHS Plant Profile

Chilean blue crocus

RHS

Other common names

Chilean crocus

Alpine Rockery Bulbs

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A cormous perennial to 10cm in height, with narrow greyish-green leaves and slender stems bearing solitary, erect, intense blue, white-centred, crocus-like flowers 3-4cm in width

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Tecophilaeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Tecophilaea are cormous herbaceous perennials with linear-lance-shaped basal leaves and 1-2 funnel-shaped, vivid blue or violet, often white-throated flowers in spring
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Chile

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, sandy soil in full sun; protect from frost. Or grow in a pot in an alpine house: plant 5cm deep in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost and sharp sand; water in growing season but reduce watering as the leaves die down in summer

Propagation

Propagate by removing offsets in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free