Crocus bulbs are technically known as “corms”. These perennial flowers should be planted in the Autumn. Crocus bulbs are native to Central and Eastern Europe to North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. They discovered a welcoming home in North America, where various species are highly compatible in just about any area across the continent. In the UK they are just as, if not more, popular.

The colour of the flower depends on the species, but in the UK common crocuses are usually yellow, white, mauve or lilac, with a cup-shaped flower that arises from a long stem. Funnily enough, it’s often referred to as the light bulb flower because it looks like a bright light bulb until the petals come to the fore, flaunting dazzling colours as part of this cup-shaped flower.

Crocus plants are somewhat small, reaching only 3 to 6-inches in height which will depend on the variety. The grass-like leaves typically feature light stripes that run through the middle.

Most of the spring-flowering crocuses are some of the earliest flowers to bloom. The typical colours for the flowers include lavender, white, purple, gold, and yellow, although there are also tri-coloured and bi-coloured types. The blooms do pucker up when the sun goes down and also when it is cloudy, cold or windy.

Crocuses grow best in well-drained, friable soil and partial to full sun. You can also grow them across your lawn to add a bright spray of colour to the grass. For a natural and relaxed pattern, scatter them across your planting area followed by planting the corms where they have fallen.

Crocuses grow out of corms rather than bulbs. The true bulbs have layers along with an embryo of a plant that will grow from here that forms within as it starts growing. A corm is actually a solid mass of food, which can be compared to small batteries. The corm features a basal-plate along the bottom, with buds or eyes along the top.

The corm that is planted is what the plant consumes as it starts to grow, yet before withering away it will create one new corm (or many). When planting your corms, dig trenches that are 5-inches deep. Plant your corms flat-side down around 1 to 2-inches apart. Cover the corms with a layer of soil, and then all you need to do is to wait until the following spring.

There is actually a very interesting story involving crocuses that not too many people are aware of. But essentially, word has it that the ancient Romans were so fond of the fragrance that they created an apparatus to release a fine spray of its scent on guests as they entered banquets. It was because of this, that the fragrance of the crocus is said to inspire love whilst it was even said to have bloomed at midnight on Valentine’s Day. So there you have it, these are (hopefully) a few important facts that will stay with you, and we feel as though we’ve highlighted some of the key reasons why they’re so popular — not just here in the UK but overseas too!