Crocus Barrs Purple - ORG

There are crocuses, and then there is Crocus tommasinianus. Whilst other bulbs are still lying quietly in the ground, waiting, the ‘Barrs Purple’ is already breaking through the frozen earth — sometimes in January, certainly in February. Slender, pale lilac flowers, delicate in appearance but fearless in character. This is the crocus that officially brings winter to an end.

Why the tommasinianus is different

Most wild crocuses are large and broad. Crocus tommasinianus is narrower, more graceful and an early bloomer. That doesn’t make it any less striking — quite the opposite. When planted in a group, in a lawn or border, it creates a delicate, tingling effect that you don’t get from the more robust crocuses. And it spreads rapidly via seed: plant ten, and in a few years you’ll have a hundred.

The first meal of the year

For bees and bumblebees searching for nectar after winter, the Barrs Purple is literally the first stop of the season. On a sunny January day — even if it’s still freezing at night — the flowers are open and the bees are active. That makes this crocus one of the most valuable bulbs you can plant to boost biodiversity in your garden.

Planting and letting nature take its course

Plant the corms in autumn at a depth of 5–8 cm, scattered loosely through the lawn or border. They propagate via seed and offsets and require no further attention. In the lawn, wait until the foliage has died back before mowing. After that, nature takes care of the rest. Organically grown, certified NL-BIO-01.