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Alpine RockeryBulbs

Crocus fleischeri

Fleicher’s crocus

A small, perennial corm, with a distinctively fibrous coating, producing narrow, dark green leaves to 12cm long, marked with a fine white stripe along the centre. In early spring produces starry white flowers, with narrow spreading petals, a dark purple blotch at the outer base of the petals, and bright orange-red styles. Occasionally produces spreading stolons that develop new cormlets at the tips

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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)

Botanical details

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Crocus are dwarf, deciduous perennials growing from a corm, with linear leaves usually with a silvery central stripe, and goblet-shaped, sometimes fragrant flowers in autumn or early spring
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Turkey, Aegean Is.

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in gritty, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. This species benefits from a dry summer dormancy, so is best grown in dry gardens, or in a bulb frame or alpine house. See crocus cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by division of established clumps, separating cormlets when dormant, or by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as ripe

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to rodents and birds

Diseases

Generally disease-free, corms may rot in storage

Get involved

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