Tecophilaea cyanocrocus Storm Cloud Group

RHS Plant Profile

Chilean blue crocus Storm Cloud Group

Synonyms

Tecophilaea 'Storm Cloud'

Alpine Rockery Bulbs

A group of half-hardy cormous perennials, to around 10cm high, with narrowly lance-shaped green leaves. Slender stems bear fragrant, crocus-like white flowers in spring, with pale violet-blue tips to the petals and fine purple markings in the throat

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: South–facing or West–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: Unresolved
Plant Range: Chile

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, sandy soil in full sun; protect from frost. This species benefits from a dry summer dormancy, so is best grown in a bulb frame or alpine house. 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

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free