Most crocuses choose a colour and stick to it. Not the King of Striped. The purple and white stripes run upwards along the outer edge of the petals, and no two flowers are exactly the same. It gives the crocus a lively quality — as if it were hand-painted. In a lawn or border, amongst plain purple or white crocuses, it always stands out.
Early-flowering, bee-friendly and low-maintenance
The King of Striped is a wild crocus of the Crocus vernus variety and flowers in early spring, just as bees and bumblebees become active and start searching for nectar. The flowers open wide in the sun and close when it’s cloudy — exactly the rhythm that pollinators can follow. Plant the corms in autumn at a depth of 8–10 cm, scattered loosely through a lawn or border. They naturalise easily, return every year and require no further attention.
Beautiful in combination
The ‘King of Striped’ really adds atmosphere to mixed plantings. Combine it with plain purple, white or pale yellow crocuses, and the striped flowers will naturally provide contrast and depth. This creates a natural spring scene that looks as though it has come together of its own accord. It is precisely this variety that makes a group of crocuses more exciting and lively.