Full Sun
Moderate care
Light watering
Frost Hardy
7a
USDA zone
-18°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
5cm | Max | 4cm |
Min |
5 years to reach maturity
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
Golden Crocus Overview
Crocus chrysanthus is a corm with fragrant, cream or deep yellow flowers, sometimes suffused with a bronze or maroon colour on the outside. Its narrow, greyish leaves emerge at the same time as the flowers - in late winter and early spring. Crocus chrysanthus - or Golden Crocus, as it's also known - needs well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil and a sunny position. Plant corms with the pointed end up, at a depth of 8 -10cm and only water once - when planting in early autumn - as they will rot if kept in damp conditions. Golden crocus look good in mixed borders, gravel or rock gardens, courtyard gardens and in containers on the patio.
Common problems with Golden Crocus
Mice, squirrels and voles can dig up corms to eat and occasionally, birds will peck off the flowers. Stored corms are also prone to rots and mould.
How to propagate Golden Crocus
Division
Lift corms when dormant and separate the smaller cormels that have grown around the parent. Replanting these as soon as possible, at the same depth and orientation.
Seed
Once ripe, sow into trays of compost three mm deep and place into a cold frame maintaining a temperature between 13C to 18C. Germination can take up to six weeks and the resulting seedlings should not be disturbed for two years. Flowers will appear in year three or four.
Special features of Golden Crocus
Attractive flowers
Attracts useful insects
An RHS 'Plants for Pollinators' plant.