Flowering Time	Spring
Distribution	Sardinia; S Corsica
Native Climate	Mediterranean
Wild Habitat	Stony and sandy situations, in grass of scrub
Distinctive Features	Flower lilac with outer three petals buff with purple markings. Corm tunic parallel fibres
Closest Relatives	Crocus corsicus; Crocus cambessedesii
Cultivation Requirements	Grown outside in some UK gardens. Not requiring a special regime
Availability	Available in some UK Garden centres and from specialist bulb suppliers

Easily grown and flowering late enough to miss the worst of the winter weather, Crocus minimus will tolerate a well-drained, sunny position in the garden. It is also excellent for the rock garden, raised beds and troughs. Given optimum conditions it will increase readily by corm division.

Crocus minimus ‘Bavella’ – this dark flowered form of Crocus minimus was introduced into cultivation by Alan Edwards who discovered it on the Col de Bavella in Corsica. A few corms were collected and fortunately the plant breeds true from seed which is freely produced in cultivation. A full discussion of this plant and the needs of Crocus minimus is to be found in the Quarterly Bulletin of The Alpine Garden Society Vol 68, No 2, pp241-242.

Close up of the anthers and style of Crocus minimus. The close proximity of the stigmatic surfaces to the pollen is very favourable to seed set, aiding the propagation of the species in cultivation.