Sieberi 'Tricolor' Crocus Bulbs

Crocus sieberi Tricolor

The clue is in the name - Crocus sieberi Tricolor flower really does sport three colours and, at the time of writing, it is the only crocus thus blessed. Nothing to do with the French flag, the upper petals are a clear and even lilac-blue, then comes a distinct white band while the throat of the flower is a glorious golden colour. It's exotic colouring aside, the flower starts off as a lotus bud shape and then opens up into an ample bowl to display the three rings of colour and its prominent stamens. The leaves are fine and long and mid-green. It is a truly eye-catching flower and easy to grow to boot. Over time the clumps will expand and spread to make a real impact in your garden. Just one of our range of crocus bulbs.

Where best for Crocus Tricolor?

Of course, the generous sized flower and colour of Crocus sieberi Tricolor make it an obvious choice for your lawn, either combined with other single coloured crocuses, contrasted with the stripy Crocus Vernus Pickwick or just on its own. But with such a fascinating flower it is worth trying to put it somewhere where you can see it up close to the eye so that you can really appreciate the fine, feathery lines on the petals and the intermingling colours. A window box or stone trough would be ideal and provides the right scale, or in pots, especially if you can use them to underplant a potted bay tree, lollipop box or holly tree by your front door. They are robust enough to stand out and add colour at the front of borders which may not be doing very much otherwise at this wintry time of year. Alternatively, pot them up, take them indoors and enjoy these miniature works of art in the comfort of your home. They are not fussy about the soil that they need, and almost prefer a poor to moderately fertile soil. The only thing to look out for is that they get enough water in the first winter after they are planted.

Features

• Colour: White, yellow and lilac
• Height: 10-12 cm
• Scent: None
• Flowering: February-March
• Bulb Size: 5-7cm
• Planting Depth: 12-18cm
• Planting Months: September - November
• RHS Award of Garden Merit

Factettes about Crocus Sieberi Tricolor

Despite being a native of the Balkans, this crocus is often called the Cretan crocus while Mr Sieber himself was Czech. Sadly he ended his days in a lunatic asylum but his name lives on in the popularity of this flower. The great Vita Sackville West loved crocuses, describing them as a "delightful family" and mentions the fine "Greek lilac-blue" of the Sieber crocus in her Garden Book.

• 10 small bulbs: anemones, crocus, dwarf daffodils, iris reticulata etc or
• 5 large bulbs: hyacinths, daffodils, tulips