Definitely my all time favorite Crocus, Crocus orphei is native to the mountains of Northern Greece, where it inhabits open rocky meadows, scrub, and limestone slopes. Early in the spring, often as winter is still holding it’s grip, pristine goblets of soft lavender to lilac emerge from the bare earth, delicately feathered with darker veins and highlighted by brilliant orange stigmas and a bright yellow throat. The flowers appear before or with the first leaves, creating a striking display at a time when few other bulbs are in bloom. This is likely the first every North American offering of this species.
This offering has been grown from a wild seed collection made by Czech botanist and plant explorer Vlastimil Pilous in the Falakro Mountains of northern Greece, on the border with Bulgaria. Preserving the genetic diversity and local character of this beautiful mountain population, Seed-grown plants from documented wild collections are especially valued by collectors and contribute to the long-term conservation of rare geophytes in cultivation.
The narrow, grass-like foliage persists through the cool months before disappearing in late spring as the corms enter their natural summer dormancy. Compact and elegant, this species is perfectly suited to alpine houses, bulb frames, troughs, and sharply drained rock gardens, where its delicate beauty can be appreciated up close.
C. orphei thrives in full sun and sharply drained, gritty soil, with moisture during autumn, winter, and spring growth followed by a dry summer rest. A choice species for collectors, it rewards even modest care with years of dependable early spring flowering.
Wild Source: Falakron Mountains, northern Greece (Vlastimil Pilous collection)
Height: 2–4 in. (5–10 cm)
Bloom Season: Early to mid-autumn
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–8
Culture: Full sun; sharply drained, gritty soil; moisture during active growth with a dry summer dormancy.
Because this is our first offering of a rare and unusual species I am limiting the purchase quantity to 2 per customer please.
Definitely my all time favorite Crocus, Crocus orphei is native to the mountains of Northern Greece, where it inhabits open rocky meadows, scrub, and limestone slopes. Early in the spring, often as winter is still holding it’s grip, pristine goblets of soft lavender to lilac emerge from the bare earth, delicately feathered with darker veins and highlighted by brilliant orange stigmas and a bright yellow throat. The flowers appear before or with the first leaves, creating a striking display at a time when few other bulbs are in bloom. This is likely the first every North American offering of this species.
This offering has been grown from a wild seed collection made by Czech botanist and plant explorer Vlastimil Pilous in the Falakro Mountains of northern Greece, on the border with Bulgaria. Preserving the genetic diversity and local character of this beautiful mountain population, Seed-grown plants from documented wild collections are especially valued by collectors and contribute to the long-term conservation of rare geophytes in cultivation.
The narrow, grass-like foliage persists through the cool months before disappearing in late spring as the corms enter their natural summer dormancy. Compact and elegant, this species is perfectly suited to alpine houses, bulb frames, troughs, and sharply drained rock gardens, where its delicate beauty can be appreciated up close.
C. orphei thrives in full sun and sharply drained, gritty soil, with moisture during autumn, winter, and spring growth followed by a dry summer rest. A choice species for collectors, it rewards even modest care with years of dependable early spring flowering.
Wild Source: Falakron Mountains, northern Greece (Vlastimil Pilous collection)
Height: 2–4 in. (5–10 cm)
Bloom Season: Early to mid-autumn
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–8
Culture: Full sun; sharply drained, gritty soil; moisture during active growth with a dry summer dormancy.
Because this is our first offering of a rare and unusual species I am limiting the purchase quantity to 2 per customer please.
