Crocus chrysanthus

Crocus chrysanthus (snow crocus, golden crocus) is a species of flowering plant of the Crocus genus in the family Iridaceae. Native to the Balkans and Turkey, it bears vivid orange-yellow bowl-shaped flowers. It has smaller corms and a smaller flower than the giant Dutch crocus (Crocus vernus), although it produces more flowers per bulb than the latter. Its common name, 'snow crocus', derives from its exceptionally early flowering period, blooming about two weeks before the giant crocus, and often emerging through the snow in late winter or early spring. The leaves are narrow with a silver central stripe. Height: 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm). The Latin specific epithet chrysanthus means 'golden-flowered'. Crocus chrysanthus cultivars are selections from Crocus chrysanthus and hybrids of this species with several subspecies of Crocus biflorus and Crocus aerius. Yellow cultivars are selections of Crocus chrysanthus. Blue and white cultivars are hybrids or selections close to Crocus biflorus. An intensive selection and hybridisation programme was initiated by Jan Hoog (Van Tubergen nursery) and E.A. Bowles. Several of their numerous selections are still available. Examples: C. chrysanthus and those cultivars marked agm have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.