Crocus Species 'Barr's Purple'

Overview

Crocus 'Barr's Purple': The Amethyst Jewel

Kickstart your garden season with the vibrant, jewel-like tones of Crocus 'Barr's Purple' (Crocus tommasinianus). Renowned as one of the easiest and most reliable crocuses to naturalise, this species variety (often affectionately called "Tommies") is famous for its silvery-lilac buds that open into rich, amethyst-purple stars. Unlike large hybrid crocuses, 'Barr's Purple' has a slender, graceful elegance and is incredibly hardy, often blooming as early as February to pierce through the winter gloom. It is the ultimate choice for creating drifts of purple haze in lawns, under trees, or in rockeries, where it will multiply freely to improve the display year after year.

Key Features

• Superb Naturaliser: Widely considered the best crocus for naturalising in grass; it self-seeds readily and tolerates competition from turf better than many other varieties.
• Early Bloomer: One of the first signs of life in the garden (February–March), providing cheering colour when we need it most.
• Squirrel Resistant: While no bulb is 100% immune, Crocus tommasinianus varieties are generally found to be less palatable to squirrels and rodents than the larger Dutch hybrid crocuses.
• Pollinator Lifeline: The orange stamens are rich in pollen, offering a vital food source for queen bumblebees and honeybees on their first flights of the year.

Gardener's Tip

To achieve that magical "purple lawn" effect seen in famous gardens like Wisley or Kew, scatter the corns randomly by hand and plant them exactly where they land. Aim for at least 50–100 bulbs per square metre for impact. Because the foliage of this species is fine and grass-like, it dies back unobtrusively, meaning you can mow your lawn relatively early in spring without harming the bulbs.

Specifications