About

Crocus korolkowii is a compact, perennial corm that generates slender green leaves reaching up to 10 cm in length, each featuring a delicate white stripe down the center. During late winter and early spring, it produces elongated, aromatic flowers in a golden yellow hue, with many outer petals displaying subtle feathering in purple or deep brown.

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
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Alpine Rockery, 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, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
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 gritty, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun. This species benefits from a dry summer dormancy, so is best grown in dry gardens, or in a bulb frame or alpine house. See crocus cultivation for more advice
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by division of established clumps, separating cormlets when dormant, or by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as ripe
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to rodents and birds
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free, corms may rot in storage