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Crocus Jeanne d’Arc

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Bold, beautiful, and as fresh as spring’s first light, Crocus Jeanne d’Arc is a timeless classic that heralds the season with pristine white blooms, subtly brushed with soft lilac at the base and vibrant orange stamens. Part of the Crocus vernus group, renowned for producing the largest blooms of any crocus, they’re a symbol of renewal that brightens gardens when few other flowers are in bloom. These hardy corms thrive in cool to subtropical climates, enduring frosty winters down to -15°C yet adapting beautifully to warmer regions when planted in sunlit, well-drained spots. Their ability to naturalise makes them ideal for lawns, borders, and containers, returning year after year with minimal care. Beyond their beauty, they’re pollinator-friendly, offering vital early-season nectar to bees. What makes them truly special? Their graceful simplicity transforms any garden into a scene of fresh beginnings — a lasting gift of nature’s elegance.

 

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Description

Crocus Jeanne d’Arc (Crocus vernus)

Crocus Jeanne d’Arc is a striking variety of Crocus vernus, commonly known as Dutch Crocus. Native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, this large-flowered corm perennial features pristine white blooms with subtle lilac bases and bright orange stamens. Emerging before the foliage, these early bloomers herald spring with a dazzling display when few other flowers bloom.

Uses in the Garden

Jeanne d’Arc brings early spring elegance to lawns, borders, and pathways. These pollinator-friendly blooms open wide in the sunshine and close at night or during rain, adding a dynamic feature to any garden. Perfect for naturalising, they create charming drifts that return yearly, making them a favourite for gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty.

Key Uses:

  • Naturalising in lawns, beds, and meadows
  • Adding early colour to borders and deciduous trees
  • Planting in containers for portable displays
  • Supporting early pollinators with nectar

Climate Suitability

Crocus Jeanne d’Arc grows well in cool to subtropical climates. In cool regions, they naturalise easily due to consistent winter chill. Mediterranean and arid areas benefit from dry summers that reduce rot risk, but good drainage is essential. In subtropical regions, a 6-week chilling period during dormancy can enhance flowering, with planting in cooler spots advised to minimise heat stress.

How to Store Crocus Bulbs Upon Arrival

Inspect the corms upon arrival and store them in a cool, dry place away from moisture and heat.

Storage Tips:

  • Use a breathable container like a mesh or paper bag.
  • Store in a cupboard or shed, away from direct sunlight.
  • Avoid storing near fruit that releases ethylene gas, which can damage bulbs.
  • Plant from March onwards once the ground has cooled.

How to Plant Crocus Jeanne d’Arc

  1. Location: Full sun to light shade, ideally under deciduous trees.
  2. Soil: Ensure the soil is well-drained. Amend clay soils with sand or compost.
  3. Depth & Spacing: Plant bulbs 10 cm deep and 7-10 cm apart. In warmer climates, plant deeper to protect from heat fluctuations.
  4. Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to help the corms settle. Minimal watering is needed once established.
  5. Fertilising: Apply blood and bone or a balanced fertiliser at planting to support growth.
  6. Mulching: Add a light mulch layer to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Aftercare

Allow the foliage to naturally wither after blooming to help the corms store energy. For crocuses in lawns, delay mowing until the foliage dies back. In wet summers, lift and store corms during dormancy to prevent rot. In warmer, humid areas, a 6-week chilling period ensures consistent flowering. Alternatively, treat crocuses as annuals and plant new corms each year.

Division

Divide clumps every 3-5 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain healthy growth. Crocuses multiply over time, forming large clumps that may reduce flowering.

How to Divide:

  1. Timing: Late summer when the corms are dormant.
  2. Lifting: Use a garden fork to gently lift clumps from the soil.
  3. Separating: Pull apart corms, ensuring each has roots attached.
  4. Replanting: Replant immediately or store in a cool, dry place until the next season.

Pests and Diseases

Crocus Jeanne d’Arc is generally low-maintenance but can be affected by pests and diseases if conditions are too wet or poorly drained.

Common Pests:

  • Slugs/snails: Use crushed eggshells or coffee grounds as deterrents.
  • Rodents/birds: Protect bulbs with chicken wire to prevent digging.

Common Diseases:

  • Botrytis (Grey Mould): Ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering.
  • Corm Rot: Plant in well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging.

Safety

Crocuses are harmful if eaten, potentially causing stomach upset in humans and pets. If ingested or if any symptoms occur, seek medical advice immediately.

Safety Tips:

  • Keep bulbs out of reach of pets and children.
  • Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin when handling bulbs.
  • Monitor pets to prevent accidental ingestion during the planting or blooming periods.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

B – Aqua Pack

Botanical Name

Crocus vernus

Quantity in Pack

4 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Late Winter to Early Spring

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards once the ground has cooled.

Growing Height

10-15 cm

Planting Depth

Plant 10 cm deep. For those in mild climates, plant twice as deep to ensure they stay cool.

Soil

Crocuses need well-draining soil to prevent corm rot. Light sandy soil enriched with organic matter like compost or a well decayed manure is ideal. Avoid heavy, clayey soils or amend them with sand or grit to improve drainage.

For pots, choose a high-quality potting mix designed for bulbs or flowers, which typically includes perlite or vermiculite for excellent drainage and aeration.

How to Plant

Choose a spot with full sun to light shade, ensuring at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Loosen the top 20 cm of soil to improve drainage and help corms take root. Mix in well-rotted compost, blood and bone, or a balanced fertiliser for nutrients.

Plant corms 10 cm deep, or twice as deep in warmer climates to protect from heat. Space them 7-10 cm apart with the pointed side up. Cover with soil, press gently to remove air pockets, and water lightly to settle the soil.

Apply a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.

For pots, use a quality potting mix and follow the same planting steps. Corms can be placed closer together, ensuring they don't touch. A 15 cm pot can comfortably hold up to 8 corms for a vibrant display.

Watering

Keep the soil slightly moist during the growing season, but avoid waterlogging to prevent rot. After blooming, as crocuses enter dormancy, reduce watering significantly. They prefer drier conditions during dormancy to prevent corm rot.

In cool regions with consistent rainfall, such as Tasmania or parts of Victoria, ensure the planting area has excellent drainage. Raised beds, rockeries, or slopes can help reduce water accumulation. In warmer regions, avoid overwatering during summer dormancy. Use well-drained soil and minimise moisture, especially in humid, subtropical areas, to protect the corms.

Fertilise

If the soil isn’t enriched with compost or well-decayed manure, apply blood and bone or a complete fertiliser when preparing the soil, or just before flowering in winter to support growth. Thereafter, top dress at the end of summer with general fertiliser or bulb food to boost nutrients before the growing season. Alternatively, apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring.

Pruning

After flowering, let the foliage wither naturally to help the corms store energy for next season. Once yellow and dry, trim back with clean scissors. For lawn plantings, delay mowing until foliage fully dies back to avoid disturbing the corms.

Crocuses can naturalise in well-drained soil, but aftercare depends on climate. In cooler regions with occasional rain, they thrive with little intervention. In warmer, humid areas prone to wet summers, monitor soil moisture to prevent rot. If heavy rain is expected, lift and store corms in a cool, dry place during dormancy.

Crocuses tolerate temperatures down to -15°C, but insufficient winter chill can impact future blooms. In warmer, humid regions, a 6-week chilling period during dormancy is essential to promote consistent flowering. Storing the corms in a refrigerator each year can help meet their cold requirements, though replacing them annually is optional. Gardeners in humid climates may find it easier to replace corms each year to achieve the best results, as even with chilling, the lack of natural cold may reduce bloom quality over time.

In warmer, drier regions, lifting may not be necessary, as natural winters often provide sufficient chilling. To prevent rot from heavy rain, plant in well-drained soil and consider sheltered spots, such as under deciduous trees, where the corms benefit from drier conditions during dormancy.

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