Winter Crocus
Crocus hyemalis
Iridaceae, Iris Family
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
Isaiah 35:1–2 NIV
Find winter crocus in God's Word for Gardeners Bible mentioned in “Bursting into Bloom,” a devotion on Isaiah 35:1 in the Garden Work devotions on Planting Pots, page 802
I am a meadow flower from Sharon, a lily from the valleys.
Song of Songs 2:1 NET
Cultural Information
| Type | Perennial Bulb |
| Height | 3 inches |
| Soil | variety of soils |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Leaves | deep green with white central stripe, several leaves surround each flower stem, 3 to 4 inches long |
| Flowers | white petals and sepals, formed in cupped-shape with golden centers, black anthers, purple striping, about 1 inch |
Planting Tips
- Zones 5-9, plant in late summer or early fall for late fall blooming
- tuck bulbs in soil 3 inches deep with pointed ends up
- space 2 to 3 inches apart
- keep soil evenly moist until bloom
- leaves begin appearing first, as little tufts of grass
- as flowers form, with petals tightly wrapped and rising, they resemble little candles
- planting in pots among garden plants will elevate the small blooms, and allow you to move them around to enjoy seeing them from the best vantage point
- after blooming, grass-like leaves will keep pots and garden beds green until spring
Garden to Table
- delicate flowers don't last in vases, so plant pots-full to bring in as a table centerpiece
- there are many other crocus-looking species that bloom in the fall, from the Crocus, Colchicum and Sternbergia genera so feel free to try them all!
- Saffron Crocus have edible stamen used in spicing up rice dishes, soups, and sauces
- with both flowers and grass-like leaves from one bulb, crocus are the most representative of Isaiah 40:8 - "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our Lord endured forever."
More Research
See Blog Posts on Winter CrocusAs with the coming of new life in late fall, Isaiah’s vision of the coming of the Lord (Isaiah 35:5) fills us with hope of newness of life, of restoration for our tired minds and bodies. How we ache for a total turnaround, from blind eyes to seeing, deaf ears to hearing, lame legs to jumping and mute mouths to shouting. We long to see the glory of the Lord (Isaiah 35:2), to be refreshed by his presence and overflowing with joy at his appearing (verses 6 – 7).
-from the NIV God's Word for Gardeners Bible
I am a meadow flower from Sharon, a lily from the valleys.
Song of Songs 2:1 NET
Photo Credits
©2021 Shelley S. Cramm winter crocus blooms in a pot on a sunny fall day
©2021 Shelley S. Cramm winter crocus before blooming, like a little candle in a pot
©2021 Shelley S. Cramm crocus hyemalis bulbs
