Just received an order of allium bulbs from Parkers and got 100 crocus free. I thought I would just plant them in the lawn so that after flowering I can just chop them with the first lawn cut. Is that dumb or any other suggestions? Thanks
Depends when your first cut is! Like all bulbs crocus need their leaves to build up reserves for next years flowers. This takes around 6 weeks, then the leaves begin to die back and then you can cut. I plant mine in a patch around a tree and then leave the grass there longer, but cut it shorter round the perimeter. This makes it look deliberate, rather than just a mess!
I've got mine planted in a bit of flower bed that I've covered with ornamental gravel, so I can leave them to die back without disturbing them. I then stand pots of pansies on the gravel to add spring colour and draw the eye away from the yellowing crocus leaves.
As buttercup says - you need to let them die down so it might mean your grass will have to wait a little for the first cut of the new year. Round a tree is the best way but if you don't have one, you could try having a strip along one edge which you can leave for a little longer if necessary. It won't look so messy that way.
I mainly have mine in borders in pots. A big pot crammed with them can look superb. It's surprising how quickly you can use 100 bulbs that way!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks very much. I knew I had to let the leaves regain energy etc but not how long so that is very useful. But even more so are the ideas about how/where else to plant them. Bit of a lack of imagination so thanks again.
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Depends when your first cut is! Like all bulbs crocus need their leaves to build up reserves for next years flowers. This takes around 6 weeks, then the leaves begin to die back and then you can cut. I plant mine in a patch around a tree and then leave the grass there longer, but cut it shorter round the perimeter. This makes it look deliberate, rather than just a mess!
I've got mine planted in a bit of flower bed that I've covered with ornamental gravel, so I can leave them to die back without disturbing them. I then stand pots of pansies on the gravel to add spring colour and draw the eye away from the yellowing crocus leaves.
As buttercup says - you need to let them die down so it might mean your grass will have to wait a little for the first cut of the new year. Round a tree is the best way but if you don't have one, you could try having a strip along one edge which you can leave for a little longer if necessary. It won't look so messy that way.
I mainly have mine in borders in pots. A big pot crammed with them can look superb. It's surprising how quickly you can use 100 bulbs that way!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks very much. I knew I had to let the leaves regain energy etc but not how long so that is very useful. But even more so are the ideas about how/where else to plant them. Bit of a lack of imagination so thanks again.
Three layers of crocuses in a pot
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
This is one of mine - a 15inch pot crammed with Joan of Arc crocus - about 50 or 60 in total
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...