Crocus
Crocus is the herald of spring, opening its goblet-shaped cups in purple, gold, white and lavender while frost still lingers. Its very short stems and brief vase life make it a specialist cut flower, most often shown in bulb bowls, mossy displays and tiny low arrangements. Florists cherish it for its jewel-clear colours and the sense of earliest spring it evokes. Where a design needs the first true flush of the season, nothing says it quite like crocus.
| Family | Iridaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Alps and southern Europe |
| Peak season | February, March |
| Availability | January, February, March |
| Stem length | 5–15 cm |
| Vase life | 3–5 days |
| Colors | purple, yellow, white, lavender |
| Price tier | mid |
Crocus is one of the earliest spring bulbs and is short-stemmed and short-lived once cut, so handle it as a fleeting specialty. Cut low and place immediately into cool, shallow water, keeping it somewhere cool and bright. The cup-shaped flowers open in warmth and light and close as they cool, so a bright display shows them at their best. It is often used in pots or bulb bowls rather than cut, so plan designs around its very short stems.
- •Cut low and use cool, shallow water
- •Keep cool and bright for flowers to open
- •Best in small low designs or bulb bowls
- •Expect a short, fleeting vase life
- •Handle the delicate cups gently
