Crocus tommasinianus 'Roseus'![RHS Plants for pollinators](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS_Bee_YELLOW-REGISTERED.png)
![RHS Plants for pollinators](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS_Bee_YELLOW-REGISTERED.png)
early crocus 'Roseus'
'Roseus' is a cormous perennial 8-10cm high with tufted green leaves with a central silvery-white stripe, and cyclamen-pink flowers, silvery outside, with orange stigmas and stamens, from late winter to spring; crocuses are a good source of pollen for honeybees early in the season
![](https://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselectorimages/detail/MAR0031205_11780.jpg)
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Orange Grey Silver Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter | Orange Grey Silver Pink | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant 8-10cm deep in autumn in gritty, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, in full sun; C. tommasinianus and its forms increase freely, and are suitable for naturalising in grass, see bulbs: naturalising. See crocus cultivation for more advice
Propagation
Propagate by removing cormlets during dormancy; for more advice, see bulb propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to rodents and birds
Diseases
Generally disease-free, corms may rot in storage
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