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Crocus pulchellus Zephyr

Crocus pulchellus Zephyr
Beautiful Crocus

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This autumn crocus produces pale mauve flowers that become almost white, finely veined with blue-grey, around a yellow throat with orange styles. They appear between September and October, depending on the climate, before the foliage appears, and persist throughout winter. This elegant and hardy variety naturalises in any well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
10 cm
Spread at maturity
10 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time August to October
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Flowering time September to October
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Description

Crocus pulchellus 'Zephyr' is a particularly elegant and bright variety. It comes from a hardy autumn-flowering botanical species that is easy to grow in any well-drained soil. It produces flowers that range from pale purple to white, revealing a stunning veining when held up to the light. In the centre of the corolla, a yellow throat houses a decorative orange style. The foliage emerges from the ground after flowering and persists through winter. Its small bulbs can be planted in a rock garden, along borders, at the base of deciduous trees, or in a lawn. They can also be grown in pots, allowing a closer look at the delicacy of their flowers.

Crocus pulchellus 'Zephyr' belongs to the iris family, like all crocuses. The species, closely related to C. speciosus, is naturally found from the northern Balkan Peninsula to northwest Turkey, passing through Mount Athos in northern Greece. It is adapted to mountain Mediterranean climates. In the wild, this crocus grows in short grass, understory forests, or sparse thickets. It has been awarded by the RHS in England for its ornamental qualities and performance in gardens. So it can be assumed that its cultivation is not solely for specialists!

Crocus pulchellus 'Zephyr' blooms in September-October, depending on the climate. Each bulb produces a 10 cm tall flower that emerges directly from the ground. The elongated cup-shaped flowers have 6 petals finely veined in grey-blue on a background of very pale mauve that almost turns white. They open up to a small yellow throat. The flower's centre is occupied by an orange style divided into filaments. This style dominates a column of stamens with white anthers and hairy filaments. The flowers close at night and in bad weather and only fully open in the sun. The foliage emerges after flowering, persists through winter, and dries up in early spring. It consists of fine linear, single and alternate, medium green leaves with a prominent central vein. The "bulbs" are actually corms covered by a tough tunic that splits into rings at the base. In plant morphology, a corm is an underground storage organ that resembles a bulb but is formed by a swollen stem surrounded by a fibrous skin.

The flowering of Crocus pulchellus 'Zephyr' is a delightful surprise in early autumn. Its bulbs can be planted in rock gardens, lawns, in the sun, or even at the base of deciduous shrubs and trees. It will thrive and naturalise in any well-drained soil, even slightly moist in summer. Mix autumn crocuses with colchicums and spring crocuses to enjoy multiple blooms throughout the year.

A tip about crocuses: their roots have the particular ability to contract like a spring, allowing the plant to settle at the ideal depth.

Crocus pulchellus Zephyr in pictures

Crocus pulchellus Zephyr (Flowering) Flowering
Crocus pulchellus Zephyr (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 10 cm
Spread at maturity 10 cm
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour mauve
Flowering time September to October
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 3 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Crocus

Species

pulchellus

Cultivar

Zephyr

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Beautiful Crocus

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference22666

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Planting and care

Crocus pulchellus 'Zephyr' is an easy plant to naturalise, as its bulbs tolerate slightly damp soil in summer as well as heavy frosts. Plant the bulbs in autumn, preferably from September, at a depth of 10-12 cm, spacing them 10 cm apart in ordinary, slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline, loose, well-worked, and well-drained soil. Never add manure or poorly decomposed compost to the planting soil, as this could cause the bulbs to rot. Crocuses will thrive in moist to dry soil in summer. Place in a good, sunny or semi-shaded position. In September, the flowers will appear and faithfully return each year. Leave them in place for several years to achieve beautiful patches of colour without any special care.

Planting period

Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time August to October
Planting depth 10 cm

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 50 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained soil

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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