Crocus boryi
Bory crocus
A cormous perennial 8cm high with tufted green leaves with a central silvery-white stripe, and flowers up to 5cm long, creamy white with golden yellow centres and orange stigmas and stamens, and sometimes veined or flushed mauve outside, in autumn; crocuses are a good source of pollen for pollinators
Buy this plant
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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Cream Gold Orange White | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical 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
- W & S Greece Crete
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant 8-10cm deep in late summer in full light in a bulb frame or alpine house, in a mix of equal parts loam, leaf mould, and grit or sharp sand; in the growing season, water freely and apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer monthly, but in summer when dormant keep completely dry; for more advice, see crocus cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by removing cormlets during dormancy; for more advice, see bulb propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Gravel garden
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.