Crocuses bring colour to the garden at a wonderfully welcome moment, opening their cup-shaped flowers close to the ground where every petal catches the eye. From golden yellow and rich purple to soft lilac, white and beautifully striped varieties, there is plenty to discover within these familiar favourites. Plant Crocus bulbs in clusters beneath deciduous trees, tuck them along border edges or fill pots to enjoy beside the doorstep. In grass, generous drifts create a relaxed, meadow-like display. Early-flowering crocuses also provide pollen and nectar for bees venturing out on milder days.

Although commonly called Crocus bulbs, these plants grow from corms: compact underground stores that support their leaves and flowers. Plant spring-flowering varieties in autumn, choosing a sunny position with well-drained soil or compost. Once established in suitable conditions, many crocuses gradually multiply, bringing more flowers to enjoy in future seasons. Allow the narrow leaves to die back naturally after flowering, and delay mowing where they grow in lawns. The collection can also offer a different seasonal pleasure: autumn-flowering crocuses, including the saffron crocus, bloom later in the year and have their own planting requirements. Explore our Crocus varieties to find delicate colours, distinctive markings and flowers that make even a small space worth looking at more closely.