‘Advance’ Snow Crocus

Virtues: We love 'Advance' snow crocus (Crocus chrysanthus 'Advance') for its bright and cheerful two-tone flowers. They remind us of Easter eggs!

Common name: 'Advance' snow crocus

Botanical name:Crocus chrysanthus 'Advance'

Flowers: Large, cup-shaped flowers with a sunny yellow interior and purple exterior. One of the earliest crocuses to bloom.

Foliage: Narrow green leaves that appear before and concurrent with flowers, then die back after the flowers fade.

Habit: 4 to 6 inches tall and wide. Grows from a bulb.

Season: Late winter, very early spring.

Origin: Cultivar of a crocus species native to Greece and Asia Minor.

Cultivation: Plant the bulbs 2 to 3 inches deep in the fall. If squirrels and chipmunks are common, plant the bulbs within a mesh cage, to protect them from being dug up. Likes average soil with good drainage. Grows best in full sun to part shade. Spray foliage and flowers with hot-pepper spray if they are bothered by squirrels and chipmunks. Do not remove leaves; allow them to die back naturally. By late spring they will disappear and the bulbs will be dormant until next year. Suitable for naturalizing in a lawn. USDA Zones 3–8.
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Find 'Advance' crocus and other fall- and spring-planted flower bulbs.

Get great advice on gardening with bulbs at a very low price in Horticulture's downloads "Bulbs" and "Gardening with Bulbs & Tubers."

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