Crocus Pickwick (Pack of 4 Corms)

Crocus Pickwick (Crocus vernus) Add a striking display of colour to your late winter garden with Crocus Pickwick, one of the most popular Dutch crocus varieties in the world. First introduced in 1925, this beloved heirloom produces large, cup shaped blooms in shimmering silver lilac, adorned with bold dark lilac stripes and vibrant orange stamens at the centre. Planted in drifts, Pickwick creates carpets of delicate, striped colour when little else is in flower. Each pack contains premium Crocus Pickwick corms, selected for strong flowering performance. The large blooms emerge alongside slender, grass like foliage with fine silver white central stripes. Flowers open wide in bright sunshine, revealing their striking striped pattern, and close at night or during cloudy weather. An excellent naturaliser, Pickwick multiplies freely by offsets and returns with increasing vigour each year, making it an outstanding choice for low maintenance colour in borders, rockeries, containers, and lawns. Product Highlights • Bulb count: 4 corms per pack • Flower colour: Silver lilac with dark lilac stripes and orange stamens • Plant height: 10 to 15 cm • Bloom time: July to August (late winter to early spring) • Naturalising: Yes • Sun requirements: Full sun to light shade • Soil type: Well drained, enriched with organic matter • Frost tolerance: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Celsius Planting Instructions Plant Crocus Pickwick corms in autumn, from March to May, once the soil temperature has begun to drop. Select a position in full sun to light shade with well drained soil. Crocuses perform beautifully beneath deciduous trees, along pathways, and in borders where they receive good light during winter. Prepare the planting area by incorporating compost or well rotted organic matter to improve drainage. Plant each corm roughly 10 cm deep and 7 to 10 cm apart, with the pointed end facing upward. In warmer regions, plant deeper to protect the corms from heat fluctuations. Water well after planting to settle the corms and apply a light mulch to conserve moisture. A dressing of blood and bone or balanced bulb fertiliser at planting time encourages strong root growth and reliable flowering. Watering and Care Crocus Pickwick is a low maintenance variety that requires minimal watering once established. During the active growing period, supplement with light watering only if rainfall is insufficient. Avoid waterlogged conditions, as excess moisture can lead to rot. After flowering, allow the grass like foliage to yellow and wither naturally over four to six weeks. This die back period is critical for the corms to replenish their energy stores. If growing crocuses in a lawn, hold off on mowing until the leaves have fully died back. Pruning Advice No traditional pruning is required for crocuses. Spent flower heads can be removed for a tidy appearance, but always leave the foliage in place until it has died back completely. Cutting or removing green leaves prematurely weakens the corm and reduces flowering the following year. Every three to five years, lift and divide congested clumps during the dormant period in late summer. Separate the offsets from the mother corm and replant at the same depth, or store in a cool, dry location until autumn. Climate Zone Guide Cool and Alpine (ACT, VIC Highlands, NSW Tablelands, TAS): Perfect growing conditions. The sustained winter chill in these regions promotes vigorous flowering, and Pickwick will naturalise easily, forming larger clumps each season. Temperate (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, coastal NSW): Excellent results with reliable annual blooms. Plant in a well drained position and ensure corms are not exposed to prolonged wet conditions during summer dormancy. Subtropical (Brisbane, coastal QLD): Possible with pre-chilling. Refrigerate corms for six weeks before planting in the coolest part of the garden. Results may vary, and corms can be treated as annuals if naturalisation is unreliable. Tropical and Arid (Darwin, Far North QLD): Not recommended. Crocuses require an extended period of cold dormancy that cannot be achieved naturally in tropical climates. Important Warnings Crocus corms and foliage are harmful if ingested, potentially causing stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting in humans, dogs, cats, and livestock. Keep corms stored safely away from children and pets. Wear gloves when handling corms if you have sensitive skin, as contact may cause mild irritation in some individuals. Do not plant near vegetable gardens where accidental ingestion is a risk. If ingestion occurs, seek medical or veterinary advice immediately.