Crocus, September, 2013

[Maggi Young]

I think you could have Crocus vallicola outside ,Margaret . We have some in a little raised sand bed and in a pot sitting in an open frame which theoretically gets a cover in the worst weather but in fact seldom does get covered.

It is a very lovely crocus-  one of Ian's favourites.

[Margaret]

Thank you, Maggi. I notice Pottertons have one to sell. I don't know anything about crocus but it seems a bit late to sell spring bulbs. I've emailed them to check if it will be OK or if it's in a pot.  If I get it I will be checking Ian's Bulb Log again to find out how to look after it. It can be sure of lots of TLC.

[Gerry Webster]

Could C. vallicola be grown in the garden or does it need an alpine house? It is very beautiful.

I had  C. vallicola in the open garden years ago & although it grew & flowered the flowers looked miserable & lasted less than a day. I suspect it needed much cooler conditions than I could provide. So, my experience of the plant is much like that of Marcus.

[Margaret]

Thank you, Gerry. I have lots of cooler spots in the garden but they are shady. Wouldn't this be a problem for a crocus?

[Gerry Webster]

Thank you, Gerry. I have lots of cooler spots in the garden but they are shady. Wouldn't this be a problem for a crocus?

Shade might be a problem.
If it is of any help,  Mathew describes the habitat of C. vallicola as "open subalpine pastures & alpine turf......1000-2800 (- 3000) metres".

[Margaret]

Thanks, Gerry.  I am now thinking how to fit a cold frame on to my allotment which is sunny. This would give me some scope to grow more of the lovely flowers I read about on the SRGC.

[Janis Ruksans]

I grew it outside in partly shaded spot for many years but lost from rodents or in very hard winter. Now I'm growing it only in pots - safe against both...
Janis