Spring crocus (Crocus vernus 'Remembrance')
Crocus vernus 'Remembrance', a cherished Spring crocus, offers vivid violet-purple blooms early in March-April. Low maintenance and deer tolerant.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ is an essential component for the earliest signs of spring color, often appearing before the last frost melts away. This variety of Spring crocus is highly valued for quickly brightening the landscape with its distinct violet-purple flowers, providing a much-needed visual lift after winter dormancy. As an easy-to-grow bulb, it demands low maintenance once established, making it accessible even for novice gardeners.
The appeal of Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ extends beyond its vibrant, early bloom time; these plants are excellent for naturalizing across lawns or in large drifts in garden beds. Its compact stature and tolerance for various conditions, including shade beneath deciduous trees, make it a versatile choice for foundational plantings. Gardeners rely on this species for reliably marking the end of winter.
Reportedly introduced in 1925, the cultivar ‘Remembrance’ reliably showcases cup-like flowers atop short stems. These spring blooming bulbs, technically corms, bring joy for about three weeks starting in late March. For the best display, cluster large groups of Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ where their opening in the morning sun can be fully appreciated.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Iridaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Bloom Time: March to April
- Bloom Description: Violet purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant the Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ corms in the fall for reliable spring color. They thrive when placed about 3 to 4 inches deep and spaced 3 to 6 inches apart. These plants prefer average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, and perform best when situated where they receive full sun, though they tolerate part shade well. Ensure planting locations avoid heavy clay or perpetually moist soil conditions, as wet feet can quickly lead to rot.
Care is minimal once the plants are in the ground. Water requirements are naturally met through spring rains, but reduce watering substantially as the plants enter dormancy in late spring, preferring drier conditions during summer rest. Since maintenance is low, avoid the temptation to prematurely cut back the foliage. If planted in the lawn, leave the foliage untouched until it yellows completely—roughly six weeks post-bloom—to allow the corm to gather energy for next year.
These bulbs naturalize beautifully over time, creating increasingly spectacular sweeps of color in sunny grassy areas, beds, and borders. To maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding, plan to divide the corm clusters every four to five years. Enjoying the bloom of Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ is often the first reward of the gardening year.
Landscape Uses
The primary recommendation for this Spring crocus is to naturalize it widely throughout the landscape. Planting in large, sweeping drifts under deciduous trees or within open lawns creates a spectacular ribbon of early color that announces the season’s change. Because Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ emerges so early, it pairs perfectly with later-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils, ensuring continuous interest.
In defined garden spaces, group these bulbs in front of evergreen shrubs or along walkways where their low stature provides excellent foreground interest. They are equally suited for rock gardens or containers, where winter protection may sometimes be beneficial in the coldest zones. When allowed to naturalize in lawns, the contrast between the neat emerald grass and the sudden burst of violet-purple flowers of Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ is highly effective.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Crocus vernus is an early spring blooming bulb (actually a corm) native primarily to the high alpine areas of Europe. Many popular hybrids, often called Dutch crocus, surround this species, with the ‘Remembrance’ cultivar known for producing several upright, cup-like flowers that feature a striking violet-purple color with a silvery gloss. Flowers typically remain open in morning sun but will close at night or during cloudy, rainy weather, lasting about three weeks in bloom.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
This plant generally faces no serious insect or disease issues, offering excellent reliability. The main threats to a successful display of Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ come from rodents. Squirrels, mice, and other small mammals are adept at finding, digging up, and consuming newly planted corms, so gardeners in heavy wildlife areas may need to use protective measures upon fall planting. Conversely, deer tend to ignore the foliage and flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Spring crocus suitable for?
Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ grow?
This variety typically reaches a height between 0.25 and 0.5 feet and spreads similarly, making it a charmingly small addition to the garden edge.
When does Spring crocus bloom?
You can expect the violet-purple blooms of Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ to appear in early spring, generally from March to April.
What sun exposure does Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ need?
This crocus performs best with full sun but adapts well; it tolerates conditions ranging from full sun to part shade.
Conclusion
The Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ provides invaluable, low-maintenance color precisely when the garden needs it most, delivering rich violet-purple blooms early in the season. Its ability to naturalize and its tolerance for deer make this Spring crocus a resilient and charming addition to any landscape design. Before winter sets in, ensure your corms are planted at the correct depth in well-drained soil to enjoy the spectacle of Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ next spring.
Companion Planting
When deciding what to pair with this early bloomer, consider plants that share similar cultural needs, particularly regarding moisture during dormancy. Planting early spring ephemerals, such as snowdrops (Galanthus) or early daffodils, near your Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’ will extend the season of fleeting spring interest. Since the crocus foliage should not be cut back until it yellows, avoid placing slow-emerging perennials immediately adjacent, ensuring the dying foliage does not obscure emerging plants.
Design Ideas for Naturalizing
For the most dramatic impact using bulbs like this Spring crocus, mass planting is key. Instead of placing corms in rigid rows, scatter them liberally by hand over a wide area before lightly raking them into the soil. This mimics nature and creates the “sweeping drifts” that maximize the visual return of the violet-purple flowers. Plant them near the edges of lawns where they can naturalize easily, providing a bright visual wake-up call at the perimeter of the property.
