About

Crocus 'Yalta' is a perennial plant that grows to a height of 8 cm. It features clumps of green foliage accented by a distinct silvery-white stripe down the center. The flowers emerge in late winter to early spring, showcasing purple inner tepals and silvery-blue outer tepals, complemented by vibrant orange stigmas and stamens. This species provides an important source of pollen for honeybees during the early part of the year.

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, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, 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, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
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
Plant 8-10cm deep in autumn in gritty, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, in full sun. See crocus cultivation for more advice
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by removing cormlets during dormancy; for more advice, see bulb propagation
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to rodents and birds
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free, corms may rot in storage