Sale
Sold out
Hardy spring-flowering corm
Iridaceae
Naturalizing blue crocus for early-spring bloom
Tricolor Crocus (Crocus sublimis)
Crocus sublimis ‘Tricolor’
Product code : VAN-142-160-01
Tricolor crocus is a hardy 10 cm spring crocus supplied as 20 size 5/7 corms. Its mauve purple and white with a white middle zone and yellow throat with a golden throat flowers, accented by deep golden throat, open very early in sunshine. Plant corms in fall, 8 cm deep and 8 cm apart, in loose, freely drained soil. Suitable for Zones 3 to 8, it thrives in rock gardens, borders, lawns, and open woodland. Let the narrow foliage yellow after flowering so it can replenish the corms. Where winter drainage is reliable and the soil never remains waterlogged, it returns and gradually develops into a natural-looking colony that becomes more generous over time.
- Quantity
- 20 corms
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial sun
- Life cycle
- Naturalizing perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 3 to 8
Discover the plant
Common nameThree-coloured crocus
FamilyIridaceae
GenusCrocus
Speciessublimis
CultivarTricolor
TypeHardy spring-flowering corm
Botanical nameCrocus sublimis ‘Tricolor’
Reproducible seedsYes
Tricolor crocus (Crocus sublimis) bears large fragrant flowers with three distinct colour zones in late winter. Mauve-purple tips rise above a crisp white band and a luminous golden-yellow throat at the base. Blooms open with narrow dark-green leaves marked by a silver stripe on sunny days. At about 8 to 10 cm tall, this tufted crocus stands out without hiding neighbouring plants. The Van Noort retail package contains 20 corms. Commercially rated hardy from Zone 3, it returns in gritty drained soil and can gradually develop into a colourful colony as established corms produce offsets over successive seasons.
Plant the 20 corms from September through November before the ground freezes, setting them 8 cm deep and 5 to 8 cm apart. Choose full sun in poor to moderately fertile, light, gritty, freely drained soil. Position each corm pointed end upward, water after planting, then let seasonal rainfall maintain moderate moisture while roots develop. Avoid waterlogged hollows, compact clay, and nitrogen-rich fertilizers. A thin layer of mature compost is sufficient. In containers, amend bulb compost with fine grit and keep every drainage opening clear during spring thaws. Mark each group so later digging never damages dormant corms.
Mauve-purple, white, and golden-yellow crocus makes a striking effect in rock gardens, borders, gravel gardens, banks, and containers prepared in fall. Gather the 20 corms in several irregular islands to emphasize their three colour bands. Pair it with snowdrops, reticulata iris, squill, and small daffodils for a very early display. Fragrant flowers may provide pollen and nectar to the first active bees. After flowering, allow foliage to yellow completely so corms can replenish their reserves. Divide only overcrowded groups during dormancy and promptly replant firm cormlets at the recommended depth. Protect new plantings from rodents and avoid pesticides near open blooms.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
8 cm (3 in)
Spacing / density
5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in)
Sowing period
September to November, before the ground freezes
Propagation
Corms and separation of cormlets during dormancy
Growing method
Plant Tricolor crocus in fall from September through November before the ground freezes. Choose full sun or partial sun, including beneath deciduous trees that remain open in early spring. Loosen soil to 18 cm and incorporate a small amount of mature compost; add fine gravel where drainage is slow. Set corms 8 cm deep with pointed ends upward and leave 8 cm between them. Group all 20 corms for a visible drift. Water once after planting to settle the soil, then allow normal fall and spring precipitation to provide moisture. Avoid hollows where water collects during thaw periods. In spring, do not tread on emerging shoots and use only a gentle bulb fertilizer if soil is poor. After flowering, let the narrow leaves yellow completely because they rebuild corm reserves. In lawns, delay mowing until foliage disappears. Divide only colonies that have become crowded, after leaves are dry and the corms are dormant. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained soil and encourages reliable mauve purple and white with a white middle zone and yellow throat flowers as the first mild days return without requiring complicated care This practice respects the natural cycle.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
6.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature
Approximately −34°C in freely drained soil, corresponding to Zone 3
Care level
Moderate
Watering
Water once after fall planting to settle soil around the corms. Normal precipitation is generally sufficient until spring. During flowering and leaf growth, maintain light moisture if weather is unusually dry without saturating the ground. Reduce irrigation as foliage yellows and keep the area relatively dry through summer dormancy. Check containers more often while always allowing excess water to drain freely. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in.
Soil type
Light, humus-rich, freely drained soil is ideal, especially sandy loam amended with a little mature compost. The ground must release fall rain and spring meltwater quickly to prevent corm rot. In clay, create a slight mound and incorporate fine gravel. Avoid fresh manure, waterlogged hollows, and thick mulch that keeps the emerging crowns wet. This practice respects the natural cycle of.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting. When shoots reach 8 cm (2 to 3 in), apply balanced slow-release fertilizer or a half-strength liquid feed. Repeat once as buds begin forming. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage and weak flowers at the expense of flowers and the corm’s stored energy. Stop feeding after bloom so foliage can mature naturally and corms can enter dormancy with firm, well-ripened tissues.
Moisture
Maintain moderate, even moisture through establishment, active growth, and flowering without leaving corms in saturated soil. Rapid drainage is essential for winter hardiness, especially in Zone 3. Reduce irrigation as foliage yellows. Light mulch conserves summer moisture, but keep it away from emerging shoots to preserve airflow and prevent crown rot after prolonged rain or repeated winter thaws in Quebec gardens.
Seasonal care
In fall, loosen and drain the site before setting corms 8 cm deep. Water after planting and mark the group to prevent disturbance. In winter, do not let a saturated container or accumulated meltwater create prolonged waterlogging; garden corms nevertheless remain in place throughout Zones 3 to 8. In early spring, gently remove debris covering new shoots and watch for slugs. Water only when spring is unusually dry. During flowering, avoid pesticides to protect the first visiting insects. After bloom, leave every leaf in place until it becomes yellow and dry. Do not tie foliage or mow a lawn too early. As dormancy begins, remove dead leaves. Every three to five years, if flowering declines, lift the dormant colony, separate firm cormlets, and replant them promptly at the recommended depth. Finish with a thin surface layer of compost without digging deeply around established corms. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained soil and encourages reliable mauve purple and white with a white middle zone and yellow throat flowers as the first mild days return without requiring complicated care This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained soil and encourages reliable mauve purple and white with a white middle zone and yellow throat flowers as the first mild days return without requiring complicated care This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
Container at least 32 cm wide and 20 cm deep for 20 corms
For the 20 corms, choose a container at least 32 cm wide and 20 cm deep with several drainage holes. Fill it with light potting mix loosened with perlite or fine gravel. In fall, set corms 8 cm deep and 8 cm apart, then water once. Keep the pot outdoors in a cold, bright position protected from excessive rain because corms require winter chilling to flower. In very exposed areas, place the container against a wall or inside an unheated cold frame and insulate its sides without moving it into a warm room. In early spring, return it to sunshine and keep the mix lightly moist, never saturated. After flowering, continue moderate watering until leaves yellow completely. Stop during summer dormancy. Corms may remain in the pot while drainage stays open; repot and separate crowded groups the following fall. A thin gravel surface limits splashing and highlights the cream flowers. Add a durable label and watch for squirrels immediately after planting. A light wire mesh laid over the surface protects corms without preventing shoots from emerging in spring. Remove the mesh if it begins restricting foliage, and keep the container elevated so every drainage hole remains open during snowmelt and prolonged autumn rain.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in)
Width / spread
10 to 18 cm (4 to 6 in) after naturalizing
Flower color
Mauve purple, white band, golden-yellow throat
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous, strap-like, and sword-shaped
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Low, upright, and naturalizing
Fragrance
Fragrant
Bloom period
In early spring, mauve purple and white with a white middle zone and yellow throat with a golden throat cup-shaped flowers open in sunshine and reveal bright deep golden throat. Each plant remains low at about 10 cm and gives its strongest display in compact groups. Blooms often close during dull weather and reopen when sunlight returns. Fall planting in drained soil encourages reliable flowering and gradual naturalizing. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained.
Harvest
February to March. Allow the flowers to fade naturally to encourage bulb multiplication and naturalization.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Snowdrops, reticulata iris, squill, glory-of-the-snow, and small daffodils share early bloom and a preference for drained soil. Hellebores add volume behind crocuses without hiding them in early spring. Later, hostas, ferns, and hardy geraniums can conceal yellowing foliage. Avoid bog plants, smothering groundcovers, and perennials that require constant summer irrigation in the same position. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained soil and encourages reliable mauve purple and white with a white middle zone and yellow throat flowers as the first mild days.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
When and how should Tricolor crocus corms be planted?
Plant corms from September through November before the ground freezes. Choose a full-sun or partial-sun position where soil drains rapidly. Set each corm 8 cm deep and 8 cm from the next, with the pointed end upward. If orientation is unclear, place it on its side and the shoot will find the light. Group all 20 corms for a visible drift rather than scattering them. Water once after planting, mark the position, and avoid excessive irrigation afterward. Roots develop in fall and flowers appear in early spring following the natural winter chilling period. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained soil and encourages.
Why does Tricolor crocus produce leaves but few flowers?
Poor flowering can result from dense shade, waterlogged soil, corms planted too shallowly, or foliage removed before maturity. Give the group several hours of early-spring light and make sure meltwater never remains around it. Let every leaf yellow completely after flowering because it replenishes the corm. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that mainly promote leaves. If an old colony becomes very crowded, lift it during summer dormancy, separate firm cormlets, and replant them 8 cm deep in refreshed, drained soil. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained soil and encourages reliable mauve purple and white with a white middle zone and yellow throat flowers as.
Must the corms be lifted for winter in Quebec?
No. Tricolor crocus is intended to remain in the ground through winter in Zones 3 to 8 where drainage is good. Plant it at the recommended depth and avoid hollows where water collects during thaws. A thin mulch layer can moderate temperature in an exposed site, but remove it gradually as shoots emerge. Containers freeze more deeply, so place the pot against a wall, insulate its sides, or use an unheated cold frame. Do not move corms into a warm room because they need a cold period. Lift them only to divide a crowded colony or correct poor drainage. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring.
When can a lawn planted with Tricolor crocus be mown?
Wait until flowers have faded and every leaf has turned yellow and dry, usually several weeks after flowering. Green foliage manufactures the reserves needed for crocuses to return the following spring, so early mowing gradually reduces bloom. Set the first cut fairly high and avoid scalping the soil. In a heavily used lawn, mark groups or position them near edges to limit trampling. Do not apply herbicide to active leaves. Once dormancy begins, the lawn can resume normal maintenance until the next emergence. This practice respects the natural cycle of spring crocus keeps corms healthy in drained soil and encourages.
Is Tricolor crocus edible or safe to ingest?
No. Crocus sublimis Tricolor is grown solely as an ornamental and must not be confused with saffron crocus, Crocus sativus. Corms, leaves, and flowers are not intended for consumption. Keep packages and corms beyond the reach of children and digging pets. Wear gloves if your skin is sensitive and wash tools after planting. If a person or animal swallows any part and develops drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or discomfort, promptly contact a poison centre, medical professional, or veterinarian and provide the name Crocus sublimis. Never use ornamental crocus flowers as a garnish or attempt to harvest their stamens for food, tea, seasoning, or decoration.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Reported toxicity
Yes
Supporting wildlife
Very early flowers can provide pollen and nectar to bees and other insects active on the first mild days. Their contribution is most useful when several corms bloom together and no pesticides are applied. Combine them with snowdrops, hellebores, and squill to extend available forage. The flowers are not an important food source for birds or hummingbirds.