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Crocus pulchellus - detailContents

 

 

About Crocus Pages

The aim of this site is to provide information about the genus that will be of interest to both gardeners and Crocus aficionados.  The core of the site is a large collection of digital images of Crocus plants, which will serve to illustrate botanical details and the variation exhibited by the species.  This in turn may assist in identification of plants.

 

The image content of this website is built around a collection of Crocus plants grown by Tony Goode who gardens in Norwich UK.  The plants are part of the NCCPG National Collections Scheme, which promotes the conservation of plants in cultivation.  Several resources have been referred to in literature, most notably Brian Mathews’ revision of the genus: ‘The Crocus’ (Batsford 1982 ISBN 0 7134 3390 6) now out of print but obtainable through specialist second hand book dealers.  Other excellent reference works are listed below.

 

Bulbs.  Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix. Pan. ISBN 0-330-30253-1

 

The Smaller Bulbs.  Brian Mathew.  Batsford.  ISBN 0-7134-4922-5

 

Growing Bulbs.  Brian Mathew.  Batsford.  ISBN 0 7134 4920 9

 

Bulbs for the Rock Garden.  Jack Elliott.  ISBN 0 7134 7424 6

 

Growing Bulbs.  Martyn Rix.  Timber Press.  ISBN 0 7099 2248 5

 

The genus is mostly known for the Dutch hybrids and ‘Species’ crocus both of which make good garden plants flowering in the spring.  The genus is much more variable than these plants would suggest.  There are 79 species further divided into 127 taxa when subspecies are included.  The flowering season extends from late summer (August in UK) through the winter until mid spring (March UK.)  (Seasons vary from year to year and with latitude so these are only local guidelines.) 

 

All the images on this site are Copyright Tony Goode.  If you would like to use them for any purpose, please contact me.  (I have the original images which are larger files which show greater detail.)

 

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Using Crocus Pages

The navigation has been designed to allow users to move around the site to explore the plants with links on each page to help you move between related species, while also being able to research botanical details if new or unfamiliar terms are encountered.  The navigation will become more sophisticated as the site develops to its full potential over the coming months

 

 

 

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What’s New on Crocus Pages

 

Photo Gallery Contents

 

Crocus banaticus – large flowered form

Crocus cancellatus pamphyllicus – good blue flowered form

Crocus goulimyi goulimyi and Crocus goulimyi leucanthus – side by side, size comparison

Crocus hadriaticus lilac form

Crocus kotschyanus kotschyanus pale form

Crocus kotschyanus kotschyanus large lilac flowered form

Crocus laevigatus        Viewed from above/side.  

Cretan form     Viewed from below to show petal markings

Crocus laevigatus and Crocus niveus – ‘Little and Large’!

Crocus mathewii – two seed raised forms

Crocus niveus – best bicoloured form

Crocus oreocreticus – golden outer petals

Crocus pallasii haussknechtii form 1

Crocus pallasii haussknechtii form 2

Crocus pulchellus ‘Zephyr’ – Being pollinated by a hoverfly?  Or is it just eating the pollen?

Crocus speciosus – seed raised from wild forms

Crocus tournefortii – form with style very much more divided than is usual.

 

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Cultivation of this Crocus Collection

 

I grow most of my crocuses in plastic pots, which are sited in cold frames.  The cold frames have open sides throughout the year and glass covers, which are used for winter protection and to ensure a dry summer rest (for those species which need it).  The compost used is roughly 50% John Innes II (a loam based commercially mixed compost), 40% coarse, sharp sand, (very gritty sand up to 5mm), 10% perlite, (improves aeration of the compost and holds water.)  A small measure of bonemeal is added (high in potassium which feeds growing corms).

 

Plastic pots are used for their space efficiency, more can be fitted into each frame than the round clay pots which I have used in the past.  Clay pots are aesthetically more pleasing. 

 

A more generous watering regime is required with clay pots as the compost dries out more quickly than in plastic pots.  A careful watch is kept for aphids which are afforded some protection by the dense foliage that develops after flowering.  Systemic and contact insecticides are used when required. 

 

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Other Interests

 

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(This version of Crocus Pages has been built using Microsoft Word.  The technically minded will be aware that this is not the most sophisticated web site tool.  Suggestions for improvements are welcomed.)