Crocus × stellaris
Dutch yellow crocus
Cultivated hybrid; parentage from southeastern Europe and Asia Minor
Overview
Crocus x stellaris is a sterile, corm-forming hybrid crocus grown for its early golden-yellow flowers. Each corm produces one to several flowers 1.5–2.5 inches (4–6 cm) tall, with deep yellow to orange-yellow tepals marked by bronze to purplish feathering on the outer surface. The narrow, grass-like leaves are dark green with a pale central stripe and reach 4–6 inches (10–15 cm), lengthening after the flowers fade. Flowers open in late winter and early spring, closing in dull weather and at night and opening flat in sun. Because the hybrid is sterile it sets no seed and spreads only by offset cormlets, slowly forming clumps rather than seeding around. It grows in full sun on well-drained soil and goes dormant by early summer, when the foliage dies back. The corms are sensitive to summer wet and can rot in heavy, poorly drained ground. Rodents and squirrels sometimes dig and eat the corms.
Native Range
The plant is a cultivated hybrid with no wild range of its own, long grown in European gardens. Its parentage lies among the yellow-flowered crocuses of southeastern Europe and Asia Minor.Suggested Uses
Planted in drifts in lawns, rock gardens, and the front of borders, and naturalized under deciduous trees, spaced 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) apart. Also grown in containers and forced for early indoor bloom.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3" - 6"
Width/Spread2" - 3"
Bloom Information
Golden-yellow flowers open in late winter and early spring, often February into March, ahead of or with the leaves. Each clump flowers for two to three weeks, the blooms opening flat in sun and closing in cloud and at night. No seed follows, as the hybrid is sterile.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Golden yellow with bronze-purple featheringFoliage Description
Dark green with pale central stripeGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on light, well-drained soil with a pH from 6.0 to 7.5, with corms planted 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) deep in autumn. Tolerates cold well and needs a dry summer rest once the foliage dies back. Heavy, wet soil in summer rots the dormant corms. Foliage is left to die down naturally after flowering so the corm can rebuild. Clumps spread by cormlets and can be lifted and divided when crowded. Hardy through USDA zones 3–8.Pruning
Spent flowers need no removal, as the sterile plant sets no seed. The leaves are left in place until they yellow and die back in early summer. Crowded clumps are lifted and divided in summer dormancy.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons