Crocus januari 2012

[ScotsmanInKent]

Hi All

I am new in the forum and also have inherited my garden so don't really know the plants I have in it.
I have a number of types of crocuses naturalized in my lawn.
I have three clumps of this lovely crocus, which is always the first one up.
These pictures were taken today, can anyone tell me what type of crocus this is, or what else I need to look at to be able to identify it?

Many Thanks

[tonyg]

Welcome ScotsmaninKent ... or should we call you Simon?

I think you have a common form of Crocus sieberi.  Cultivars 'Violet Queen' and 'Firefly' are the most likely.  Both make good garden plants.

[ScotsmanInKent]

Hi Tony

I have seen "Firefly" before and thought it might be that.
Simon is fine.

Can I ask some more "Newbie" questions?:
What other types of crocuses are good for naturalizing in the Garden and come up early?
Where is a good place to buy crocuses?

[tonyg]

In a winter like this almost all crocuses come up (too) early!  In truth, you can try naturalising any of the cheaply available crocuses sold at garden centres.  Too late this winter, but come September you will have plenty of choice.  Crocus tommasinianus is perhaps the naturaliser par excellance.  Many of the 'rarer' crocus will also do OK in grass which, especially if poor and thin, is great for naturalising bulbs.

[Thomas Huber]

Sorry Wim, here it looks true. Simply deep yellow throat didn't associate in my memory with versicolor, but here spring is at least 3 monthes to wait.
Janis

Janis you're right, most/all versicolor in trade don't have a yellow throat, but on my journeys through Southern France I have found many Crocus versicolor with deep yellow throat!! Even one pure white with yellow throat which I would never assume to be versicolor if I found it in a garden. From the outside I would say it's possible, that this plant is versicolor - so Wim you should just have a look underground, what the corm is looking like.

[Janis Ruksans]

I'm not growing commercial versicolor. All my stock is grown from wild collected seeds (in 80-ies by Michael Hoog) and is very variable, but I just checked all my pictures and there are only few with light yellow throat. It is reason why I didn't recognise this specimen. It is only additional confirmation that identification of crocuses by pictures is extremely difficult and not far from impossible.
Janis

[WimB]

Thomas, I'll have a look at the corm when the plant is dormant!

Janis, just checked my data and I bought this C. versicolor from you in 2010! Also, I'm sure it is the plant I received from you since all my plants are doubly labeled and there aren't any other Crocus growing in the vicinity! I think it looks nice with it's light yellow throat!

[Janis Ruksans]

Thomas, I'll have a look at the corm when the plant is dormant!

Janis, just checked my data and I bought this C. versicolor from you in 2010! Also, I'm sure it is the plant I received from you since all my plants are doubly labeled and there aren't any other Crocus growing in the vicinity! I think it looks nice with it's light yellow throat!

I slowly became too old....

[WimB]

Thomas, I'll have a look at the corm when the plant is dormant!

Janis, just checked my data and I bought this C. versicolor from you in 2010! Also, I'm sure it is the plant I received from you since all my plants are doubly labeled and there aren't any other Crocus growing in the vicinity! I think it looks nice with it's light yellow throat!

I slowly became too old....

Janis, that was just a senior-moment, anyone older than 40 has a right to have those multiple times a year  (according to the very nice older people on this forum    )
And as long as you stay young of heart, everything's okay!

[alpinelover]

Last weekend, I have this Crocus chrysanthus var. Fuscotinctus in flower.

[alpinelover]

And also, a first flower of Crocus 'Goldilocks'

[Armin]

fantastic croci images from all and so much ahead of mine... -7°C frost last night.

[krisderaeymaeker]

Again many fine pictures here. Thanks to everybody.
Here in our greenhouse Crocus cyprius  flowers .The flowers are nice,smal,delicat,perfumed ....
Some pictures....First picture is from previous year but the other ones are taken previous weekend.

[krisderaeymaeker]

I am afraid about this Crocus alatavicus ....Is it attacked by a virus ?
 

[Janis Ruksans]

I am afraid about this Crocus alatavicus ....Is it attacked by a virus ?
 

No, It simply had problems with pushing through covering sheets. Sometimes such things happens.
Janis