Crocus King of the Striped
Crocus vernus 'King of the Striped'
Overview
The Crocus King of the Striped is a spectacular early spring flowering bulb that brings vibrant colour to your garden when you need it most. This distinctive variety features elegant white petals adorned with bold purple stripes, creating a striking display that signals the end of winter. As one of the most reliable and eye-catching crocus varieties, it's perfect for naturalising in lawns, rockeries, or container displays.
Key Features
Striking Appearance: Large, goblet-shaped flowers showcase crisp white petals with dramatic purple striping that creates an almost painted effect. Each bloom measures approximately 8-10cm across when fully open.
Early Flowering: One of the first bulbs to flower in late winter to early spring (February to March), providing crucial early nectar for emerging bees and other pollinators.
Robust Growth: Hardy and reliable, this variety produces strong stems that support the substantial flowers even in changeable spring weather.
Naturalising Ability: Spreads gradually over time through natural division, creating larger drifts of colour year after year without any intervention required.
Growing Requirements
Soil: Thrives in well-draining soil with good drainage being absolutely essential. Suitable for most soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils, provided they don't become waterlogged.
Position: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Morning sun is particularly beneficial for encouraging flowers to open fully.
Hardiness: Fully hardy to -15°C, making it suitable for growing throughout the UK and most temperate regions.
Depth and Spacing: Plant bulbs 7-10cm deep and 5-8cm apart. In naturalised settings, scatter bulbs randomly for the most natural appearance.
Planting Guide
When to Plant: Plant bulbs between September and November for flowering the following spring. Earlier planting generally results in better establishment.
Preparation: Choose a spot with good drainage. If your soil is heavy clay, consider adding horticultural grit or planting in raised areas to improve drainage.
Technique: Plant bulbs pointed end upwards at approximately three times their own depth. In grass, use a bulb planter to create neat planting holes.
Aftercare: Water in lightly after planting, then leave natural rainfall to provide moisture through winter.
Maintenance and Care
During Flowering: Deadhead spent flowers to prevent energy going into seed production, but leave the foliage intact.
Post-Flowering Care: Allow foliage to die back naturally (typically 6-8 weeks after flowering). This feeds the bulb for next year's display. Avoid mowing grass areas until foliage has yellowed completely.
Feeding: Apply a balanced bulb fertiliser in early spring as shoots emerge. Bone meal worked into the planting area also provides long-term nutrition.
Division: Lift and divide congested clumps every 4-5 years in summer when dormant, replanting immediately for best results.
Design Ideas
Lawn Naturalising: Scatter bulbs randomly across grass areas for drifts of early colour. Particularly effective under deciduous trees where they receive sun before leaves emerge.
Rock Gardens: Perfect for tucking into crevices and pockets in rockeries where their compact size and early flowering create maximum impact.
Container Displays: Excellent for pots and window boxes, especially when combined with other early bulbs like snowdrops and winter aconites.
Border Fronts: Plant in generous groups at the front of borders where they'll be noticed during their flowering period.
Companion Plants
Partners beautifully with other early spring bulbs including snowdrops, winter aconites, and early daffodils. The purple and white colouring also complements emerging perennial shoots and early flowering shrubs like witch hazel.
Expected Results
Plant in autumn for a spectacular display the following spring. Bulbs typically flower for 3-4 weeks, with individual blooms lasting 7-10 days depending on weather conditions. Expect the display to improve year on year as bulbs establish and naturally increase.
Pack Information
Supplied as premium quality bulbs, size 8/9cm circumference. Each pack contains detailed planting instructions and care advice to ensure gardening success.
Buying Bulbs from Jacksons Nurseries
Bulbs are supplied either in pre-packaged retail packs or in some cases they are loosly picked and sent bagged.