Snow crocus

Crocus chrysanthus

Small early-flowering crocus species with golden or cream flowers, often pushing through the last snow. Several weeks ahead of the larger spring crocus (C. vernus).

Hardiness ratings

Snow crocus hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −40 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −34 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–4 −15 °C to 5 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Flowers a clear two to three weeks earlier than the larger garden crocus C. vernus already in the database — signals the very first stirring of spring
  • Critical early pollen source for emerging queen bumblebees on warm winter days
  • Naturalises freely in short grass — leave the foliage to die back before mowing
  • Needs winter chilling to flower reliably

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Snow crocus against your zones

Reference

Snow crocus on Wikipedia