There are over 80 species of crocuses worldwide. There are also numerous breeds. However, only four species play a role in German gardens. They are similar in their demands on soil and care. What you need to know about the different types of crocus.
Which types of crocus are most common in German gardens?
The four most important crocus species in German gardens are wild crocus, spring crocus, autumn crocus and elf crocus. They differ in flowering time and color, but are similar in their soil and care requirements.
The four most important species
- Wild Crocus
- Spring Crocus
- Autumn Crocus
- Elf Crocus
Wild Crocus
Wild crocuses are the first to show their purple flowers. They self-sow and can form huge carpets of flowers. The small-flowered wild crocus does not grow very large overall.
Spring Crocus
Its flowering period begins in March and lasts until May if the weather cooperates. The large flowers shine in many colors. Spring crocuses are usually cultivated forms.
Autumn Crocus
Autumn crocuses bloom from September to November. The species can often be recognized by the addition “specioso”. The flower color is predominantly light purple, but white varieties also occur.
Elf Crocus
The elf crocus has the botanical suffix: “tommasinianus”. This species is one of the wild crocuses that is often found in meadows and in some parks.
Elf crocus blooms in spring. Its flowers have the characteristic violet-white color. There are now some varieties with larger flowers and other colors.
A small selection of popular crocus varieties
| Name | Art | Flowering time | color | flower size | Growth height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Giants | Spring | April – May | Yellow | Large-flowered | up to 15 cm |
| Pickwick | Spring | April – May | White-violet stripes | Large-flowered | 15cm |
| Crocus etruscus “Zwanenburg” | Spring | February – March | Light purple | Small-blooded | 5 – 8 cm |
| Flower Record | Spring | March | Dark red-violet | Large-flowered | 7 – 15 cm |
| Tommasinianus “Roseus” | Spring | February – March | Purple-Pink | Small-blooded | 10cm |
| Orange Monarch | Spring | February – March | Orange with dark stripes | Small-blooded | 5 – 7 cm |
| Firefly | Spring | February – March | Pink | Small-blooded | 10cm |
| Ruby Giant | Spring | February – March | Purple-blue-purple | Small-blooded | 10cm |
| Kotschyanus “Albus” | Autumn | September – October | White | Small-blooded | approx. 10cm |
| Speciosus | Autumn | September – October | Blue | Small-blooded | approx. 10cm |
Tips & Tricks
You can hardly find wild crocuses in garden shops. There are swap meets here where amateur gardeners are happy to give away the tubers of wild crocuses. The Internet can also be a good source for wild crocus varieties.