Flowering Time	Autumn
Distribution	S Greece
Native Climate	Mediterranean
Wild Habitat	Scrub, Olive groves, over limestone
Distinctive Features	Large flower, usually white, occasionally pale lilac or bicoloured. Corm tunic finely netted fibres
Closest Relatives	Crocus longiflorus
Cultivation Requirements	Sunny situation, well drained soil. Grown outside in UK gardens without protection
Availability	Widely available from specialist bulb suppliers and seed lists

Having some of the largest flowers in the genus (up to 12cm across) this species is of considerable horticultural merit. Fortunately it is most amenable in cultivation, increasing in UK gardens when well suited, especially when given a little protection, i.e. cold glass. The flowers have very long tubes, so are quite tall (up to 18cm), but the tube is stout and the flowers are not easily spoilt by autumn rain.

A variable species, a number of different forms are in cultivation, with pure white, lilac and bicoloured flowers of varying size. The photographs below give an impression of this variation.