About

Crocus goulimyi is a perennial plant that forms corms and blooms in autumn as the foliage emerges. The flowers are relatively small and nearly spherical, featuring a long tubular structure. They present a lilac hue with a white throat, while the inner tepals are lighter in color and slightly shorter than the outer ones.

About the genus

Crocus are small, deciduous perennials that emerge from corms. They feature narrow leaves, often marked with a silvery stripe down the center. The flowers, which can be fragrant, are goblet-shaped and appear in either autumn or early spring.

Growing conditions

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Plant type

Bulbs

Habit

Tufted

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

Up to 10 cm

Spread

0-0.1 metre

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens

Native to

S Greece

Fragrance

Flower

Toxicity

Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

Cultivation

Grow in a bulb frame or alpine house in a mix of equal parts loam, leaf mould and sharp sand or grit. Water freely in the growing season and apply a low-nitrogen fertiliser monthly. Keep completely dry in summer dormancy. Can be grown outdoors in a gritty, poor to moderately fertile soil. See crocus cultivation for more advice

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame when ripe or remove cormlets when dormant

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to rodents and birds

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free, corms may rot in storage