(20) Crocus-Dorothy

(20) Crocus-Dorothy Description

DOROTHY
SPECIE (BOTANICAL) CROCUS

 CATEGORYSpecie (Botanical) CrocusHEIGHT8 CMVARIETYDorothyBLOOMSEarly SpringDESCRIPTIONGolden/Yellow Flowers with brownish-purple stripes on the exterior of the 3 outer segments

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Specie crocus also know as snow crocus, bloom before the giant crocus and are a welcome sight in late winter/early spring, the colour combination, hardiness and early flowering make them a must. You will enjoy their bright colours and bunch-flowering habit. They multiple rapidly and bloom quite early to extend the crocus blooming season.

This heirloom crocus opens its cheerful flowers. Originating in the early twenieth century, it is one of many hybrids that trace their ancestry to crocus chrysanthus and c.biflorus. As with all other crocuses, this tiny herbaceous perennial grows from a small bulb-like storage organ known as a corm.

Dorothy has one to four golden-yellow flowers which arise on ankle-high, stalk-like floral tubes. Goblet-shaped when closed, the blossoms have brownish-purple stripes and stippling on the exteriors of their three outer segments. The stippling continues on the floral tube. In bright sun, the blooms open wide to reveal the three inner segments and a yellow-green eye. Short, tufted, grassy leaves emerge with the flowers and go dormant by late spring.

Grow this beautiful little bulb in friable, well-drained soil and full or partial sun (when it is in leaf) they are not formal plants, but look best if grown in irregular patches and drifts. Group specie crocuses in rock gardens, mixed borders, or turfgrass, or containers. Plants often self-sow. This crocus is also good for forcing in pots to dimish winter doldrums.

Plant 7-10 cm deep and 5-10 cm apart.