{"product_id":"crocus-ruby-giant-crocus-botanique-violet-bulbes","title":"Crocus 'Ruby Giant' (Purple species crocus) — Bulbs, size 5\/+","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-content verdeia-product\" id=\"crocus-ruby-giant\"\u003e\u003cheader class=\"product-intro\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-highlights\"\u003e💜 Purple star-shaped flowers • 🌱 Compact size, 8 to 10 cm • ❄️ Blooms from February • 🐝 Feeds the first bees • ☀️ Sun or light partial shade • 🧊 Very hardy • 🔁 Naturalizes in lawns • 📏 Bulb size 5\/+\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCrocus 'Ruby Giant'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the earliest species crocuses: from February, it opens slender purple flowers at ground level, 8 to 10 cm high, which spread into stars in the sun and close in the evening. This cultivar comes from \u003cem\u003eCrocus tommasinianus\u003c\/em\u003e, a \u003cstrong\u003especies native to the Balkans and Hungary\u003c\/strong\u003e, where it blooms in meadows and open woodland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eYear after year, it self-seeds and forms new bulbs, eventually creating a purple carpet in the lawn, at the foot of trees, or along borders. Among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/bulbes-a-fleurs\"\u003eflower bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e, it is one of the very first to bloom, and its size 5\/+ bulbs flower from the first spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/header\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"formats\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow many bulbs should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrocus 'Ruby Giant' makes the biggest impact when planted in large drifts: allow 80 to 100 bulbs per square meter, or 15 to 20 bulbs in a pot 20 cm in diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e50 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 0.5 m² at the foot of a tree, or two to three 25 cm planters on a balcony or terrace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e100 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 1 m², for a purple edging along a path.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e200 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 2 m², for a first patch of color in a lawn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e400 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 4 to 5 m², for a true purple carpet that will spread year after year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe larger the pack, the lower the price per bulb: the 400-bulb pack costs less than half the per-bulb price of the 50-bulb pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"plantation-emplacement\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; location\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant the bulbs from September to November, as long as the soil is not frozen, for blooms from February to March.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e sun or light partial shade; the flowers only open fully in the sun, and the shade of a deciduous tree suits them, as it is still bare in late winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 to 7 cm, pointed end up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 to 8 cm between bulbs in the ground; in a pot, they can almost touch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e ordinary and well-drained, even poor soil; it only dislikes standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -25 °C and below, it even blooms under a thin layer of snow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eIn lawns, lift a clump of turf with a spade, slip a few bulbs underneath, then replace the turf: the lawn remains intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"arrosage-entretien\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering \u0026amp; care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the ground, rain is enough. In pots, the potting mix should never stay waterlogged; excess water causes the small bulbs to rot, as explained in our article on \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plante-trop-arrosee-sauver-racines-pourries\"\u003eoverwatered plants with damaged roots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e minimal — at planting, then in pots when the potting mix is dry on the surface during flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e unnecessary in the ground; in pots, use a bulb fertilizer as the leaves emerge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpent flowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut them off if you want to prevent self-seeding, or leave them so the carpet spreads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter flowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e leave the fine leaves in place to turn yellow for five to six weeks; they replenish the bulb for the following year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eIn lawns, wait until the crocus foliage has turned yellow before the first mow: they'll bloom more profusely the following year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"associations-deco\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDecorating ideas \u0026amp; plant pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts purple flowers brighten planters and windowsills from late winter, as shown in our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plantes-rebord-fenetre-guide\"\u003eplants for windowsills\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a purple and white duo in February,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant it with the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/perce-neige-geant-galanthus-elwesii-bulbes\"\u003egiant snowdrop\u003c\/a\u003e — its white bells bloom at the same time, just above the crocuses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a purple and yellow contrast,\u003c\/strong\u003e pair it with \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/narcisse-tete-a-tete-narcisse-nain-bulbes\"\u003e'Tête-à-Tête' daffodils \u003c\/a\u003e— their small yellow trumpets open in late February and take over in March.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTo extend the carpet into April,\u003c\/strong\u003e mix it with \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/muscari-white-magic-muscari-blanc-bulbes\"\u003eMuscari 'White Magic'\u003c\/a\u003e — its white clusters appear as the crocuses fade, at the same low height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a balcony version,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant 15 to 20 bulbs in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/jardiniere-elho-greenville-easy-balcony-blanche-25cm\"\u003ewhite Elho Greenville Easy Balcony planter\u003c\/a\u003e in the 25 cm size — it hooks onto the railing and its white makes the purple flowers stand out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eIn a pot, plant in layers: daffodils or tulips at the bottom, crocuses above at a depth of 7 cm. The pot blooms from February, then blooms a second time in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"tips\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVerdeia tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"verdeia-tips\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant as soon as they arrive:\u003c\/strong\u003e small crocus bulbs dry out quickly in the open air. Plant them in the ground within a few days, as you would any \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/comment-bien-accueillir-une-nouvelle-plante\"\u003enew plant arriving at home\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLet them naturalize:\u003c\/strong\u003e don't dig up the bulbs, they overwinter in the ground like the species in our selection of \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plantes-resistantes-froid-guide\"\u003ecold-hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e and form new offsets every year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch the bees:\u003c\/strong\u003e on a sunny day in February, open crocuses are often the only source of pollen available. A carpet of crocuses helps colonies get the season off to a good start.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"caracteristiques\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tech-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCrocus tommasinianus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Ruby Giant'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Species crocus, Tommasini's crocus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Iridaceae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e cultivar derived from \u003cem\u003eCrocus tommasinianus\u003c\/em\u003e, a species native to the Balkans and Hungary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery:\u003c\/strong\u003e dry bulbs, size 5\/+ (5 cm in circumference and above), in packs of 50, 100, 200 or 400\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 to 10 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e February to March, purple star-shaped flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to November, 5-7 cm deep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e sun or light partial shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -25 °C and below\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e ordinary, well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e perennial, naturalizes and blooms again every year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator-friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e one of the first sources of pollen for bees\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e very easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e toxic to animals and children if ingested (digestive problems); not to be confused with autumn crocus, which is much more toxic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural garden \/ Cottage garden \/ Flowering balcony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eEach bulb is unique: the shade of purple and flowering time naturally vary depending on the soil, position, and climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Everspring","offers":[{"title":"50 bulbs","offer_id":57278105780489,"sku":"50806","price":22.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 bulbs","offer_id":57472028147977,"sku":"61584","price":29.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"200 bulbs","offer_id":57472028180745,"sku":"61585","price":46.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"400 bulbs","offer_id":57472028213513,"sku":"61587","price":70.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1006\/5673\/files\/crocus-ruby-giant-crocus-botanique-violet-bulbes-calibre-5-verdeia-8418096.png?v=1792621411","url":"https:\/\/verdeia.eu\/en\/products\/crocus-ruby-giant-purple-species-crocus-bulbs","provider":"Verdeia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}