Purple crocuses in the spring light by Silva Wischeropp

This floral, spring-like nature motif was taken on 24 March 2018 in the afternoon hours with the NIKON D90 (lens: NIKKOR 80.0-200.0 mm f/2.8).

In late winter and early spring, the small crocuses add the first splashes of colour to parks and gardens. Crocuses like well-drained soil, i.e. not waterlogged, but not too light either. In spring, the site should be rather moist, during the dormant season rather dry.
Crocuses open and close the garden year
In late winter and early spring, the small crocuses add the first splashes of colour to parks and gardens. Crocuses like well-drained soil, i.e. not waterlogged, but not too light either. In spring, the site should be rather moist, during the dormant season rather dry.

Crocuses have been horticulturally cultivated for so long and so intensively that even specialists hardly have a complete overview any more. The most widespread in gardens and parks are varieties of the spring crocus (Crocus vernus) and large-flowered cultivated hybrids, especially of the golden crocus Crocus chrysanthus, Balkan crocus Crocus flavus and the originally rather dainty elfin or farmer's crocus Crocus tommasinianus.
The number of "botanical crocuses" is given as 80 to 120, depending on the definition. There are, of course, no "animal crocuses"; what is meant are the wild species as opposed to the ornamental forms grown by gardeners - often crosses between different species. Wild crocuses are found exclusively in the temperate latitudes of Europe and Asia as well as in North Africa, whereby the main areas are in the Mediterranean region from Italy via the Balkans and Greece to Turkey and the Caucasus.
Together with irises and gladioli, crocuses belong to the iris family. The bulb-like corms are similar in shape to those of gladioli, while irises form more rhizomes.