Crocus speciosus Cassiope

Crocus speciosus 'Cassiope' is a captivating variety with autumn flowering. Its large, deep violet blue flowers are adorned with darker veins, while the bright orange stigmas on a pale-yellow throat add a vibrant touch. It develops dense green leaves that emerge after flowering. They are characterised by a silver-white central stripe, adding an additional dimension to the appeal of this variety. This resplendent cormous plant creates an impressive visual spectacle when planted en masse.

Crocus speciosus belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is native to the mountainous regions of the eastern Mediterranean, northern and central Turkey, the Caucasus, northern Iran, and Crimea. The 'Cassiope' variety reaches a height of 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in). It is appreciated for its vibrant flowering in autumn, in October and November. It produces dense green leaves with a silver-white central stripe. The leaves emerge after flowering, offering additional interest to this plant. The foliage emerges from the ground in late winter and disappears in late spring. The lavender-blue cup-shaped flowers, with darker violet veins, pale-yellow throat, and orange stamens, provide a striking contrast and remarkable presence in the garden. In addition to its aesthetic aspect, this variety is attractive to bees and other pollinators in the garden. The "bulbs" here are corms. A corm is an underground storage organ in plant morphology that resembles a bulb but is formed of a swollen stem surrounded by scales.

Crocus speciosus 'Cassiope' thrives in sunny locations where it naturalises easily. Plant the bulbs in August or September for flowering in the same year. This crocus adds a vibrant touch of colour to a flower bed or a lawn in autumn. You can plant it in groups in border plantings or rock gardens. Plant it with other perennial or bulbous plants with autumn flowering, such as colchicums or Naples cyclamen, other autumn wonders that are not used enough.