Crocus speciosus 'Cassiope'
Bieberstein's crocus 'Cassiope'
'Cassiope' is a cormous perennial 12-15cm high with tufted green leaves with a central silvery-white stripe which emerge after the flowers, which are bluish-lavender with darker purple veins, pale yellow throats, and orange stigmas and stamens, in autumn; crocuses are a good source of pollen for pollinators
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime 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 | Orange Blue Purple Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–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 late summer in gritty, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, in full sun; 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
- Gravel garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- 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
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.