Last but not least

Crocus minimus, not the smallest crocus despite it's name. The chap who named this one had only seen three species ... not quite the full picture! The books will tell you that it flowers late. Certainly true this year, this flower is quite definitely the last Spring crocus here this year, photographed in glorious sunshine as I sat on the patio bench.

Crocus corsicus was the final crocus last Spring ... on 17th MARCH!

This species comes from Corsica and Sardinia, overlapping in it's distribution with the similar Crocus corsicus. The outer markings are quite variable, this form is highly prized for the very deep colour of the outer petals but more typically there is a dark blotch or dark feathering. A form is widely available in commerce under the name 'Spring Beauty' which has dark blotch with some cream coloration around it. Unfortunately some of the stocks of this plant are virus infected so I cannot recommend it to you :-(

If you want to see the smallest crocus, Crocus danfordiae, click here.