Quick Guide: spring, hardy, full sun, height: 7.5cm/3in, width: 7.5cm/3in

The sight of budding crocuses is welcomed as a signal of spring. In fact these hardy plants, grown from corms, flower from late summer until spring, according to species. Colours include blue, purple, white, yellow and mauve. Some varieties are striped; many have vivid golden stamens. Very low-growing, with cupshaped flowers rising directly from the ground, crocuses do well in rock gardens, troughs and at the edge of a border. Winter and early spring-flowering types can be used in lawns.

GROWING Plant in autumn in well-drained soil, preferably in groups, in a sunny position with protection from wind. Do not dead-head; leave the foliage until it is yellow and can be pulled off easily.

PROPAGATION Take offsets after flowering. Replant the larger cormlets for flowering the following year. The smaller ones can be grown on in drills until they reach flowering size.

SPECIES Try hybrids of Crocus chrysanthtas such as `E. P. Bowles', butter yellow, spring-flowering; C. longiflorus is scented, autumn-flowering, deep purple; spring-flowering Dutch crocuses deriving from C. vernus include `Joan of Arc', white and `Queen of the Blues', with large, lavender flowers. C. imperati, lilac streaked purple, blooms in mid-winter.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Mice and birds may damage the corms.