Crocus vallicola
| Flowering Time |
Late summer, early autumn |
|
Distribution |
N E Turkey; adjacent areas of former Soviet Union |
|
Native Climate |
Cold winter with snow, cool moist summer |
|
Wild Habitat |
Damp turf and subalpine pastures over granitic rocks |
|
Distinctive Features |
Flower white with slight purple veining, petals often with wispy tips. Corm tunic membranous with fibres |
|
Closest Relatives |
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|
Cultivation Requirements |
Moisture retentive soil. Cool moist winter. Short drier rest in summer but not completely dry, (new root growth starts in summer) |
|
Availability |
Specialist bulb suppliers. Occasionally in society seed lists |
A very attractive species which is often the first to come into flower at the start of the Crocus season in cultivation, in August (N Hemisphere). Can be grown outside in UK gardens given a well drained moisture retentive soil and semi shaded position.
In the wild this species often grow in habitats very close to Crocus scharojanii but occupies slightly drier situations away from the very moist and seepage areas that Crocus scharojanii prefers.
Crocus vallicola raised from wild collected seed. Note the variation in the flowers.
A well veined flower. The yellow markings at the base of each petal can be much bolder.