Crocus tommasinianus Ivory Princess - Early Crocus

Crocus tommasinianus 'Ivory Princess' is a superb horticultural variety of a botanical crocus native to central Europe. Early-flowering, it offers magnificent pure white blooms in March that illuminates the spaces where it develops in large patches. It naturalises easily and presents no cultivation difficulties, tolerating many types of soils. It can also be easily grown in pots or containers to enhance patios and balconies.

Crocus tommasinianus, also known as the early crocus, belongs to the large Iridaceae family, which includes nearly 1700 species and well-known genera such as gladioli, iris, freesias, and crocosmias. This crocus is native to central Europe (Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, etc.). It quickly forms large colonies in upright tufts of 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) in height. Flowering takes place from February to March, depending on the regions.

'Ivory Princess' is a horticultural variety whose flowering rises 8 or 10cm (3 or 4in) above the ground. Forming a narrow tube at the base, the 6 tepals (petals and sepals of the same morphology) open at the top into a pure white cup. In the centre of the corolla, the stigmas (female parts) and the stamens (male parts) display the same yellow hue, which is particularly decorative in this white ensemble. The flowers close at night and in bad weather, then open widely in the sun and even in partial shade. The foliage consists of narrow, thick linear leaves, which are single and alternate. They display a shiny dark green colour, with a white-silvery central stripe. It dries out a few weeks after flowering, while the plant goes into dormancy to escape hot weather. Crocuses are classified as bulbous plants, but they actually arise from a corm. A corm is, in plant morphology, an underground storage organ that looks like a bulb but is made up of a swollen stem surrounded by scales.

Particularly adaptable, this crocus tolerates heavy soils better than other bulbous plants and naturalises very easily.

Crocus tommasinianus 'Ivory Princess' is ideal for novice gardeners, as it is one of the easiest to grow successfully. It can be used in rockeries, alongside dwarf plants like Picea abies 'Little Gem', a spruce that forms a small round and compact cushion. It can also highlight the edges of a sinuous path, in the company of irises that will bloom later in spring, creating a lasting floral scene. At the edge of trees, you can associate them with Cyclamen coum rose, which blooms at the same time and offers a beautiful spectacle. If you prefer blue blooms, Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty' will enchant you with its small bells. In a lawn, this crocus will blend well with Eranthis hyemalis, or winter aconite, a small tuberous perennial with early yellow flowering.