Crocus Crocus 'Goldilocks'
ABOUT
Crocus 'Goldilocks' is a cultivar renowned for its delightful spring bloom. This plant produces cup-shaped, vibrant flowers that are a rich, golden yellow hue, capturing the essence of the season's cheer. The blooms typically possess a glossy sheen, adding to their attractive appearance. The petals are delicate yet sturdy, tapering to a graceful point. Inside the bloom, the stamens are often a contrasting color, which provides a striking visual interest against the golden petals. The foliage of 'Goldilocks' is slender and grass-like, creating a fine texture that complements the bold flowers. The leaves sprout from the base of the plant and are a bright green color, sometimes striped with a lighter shade or a silvery midrib, which adds depth to its overall greenery. As a crocus, this plant emerges early in the growing season, often poking through the last of the winter's snow or mulch to signal the arrival of spring. The 'Goldilocks' variety stands out in the garden with its sunny blooms that can enliven borders, rock gardens, or naturalized lawn areas. The plant is known for its ability to multiply over the years, forming delightful clusters that can create a carpet of golden yellow in the landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Iridaceae
Synonyms
Goldilocks Crocus, Spring Crocus
Common names
Crocus 'Goldilocks'.
ToxicityTo humans
Crocus 'Goldilocks', commonly known as fall crocus or autumn crocus, might be confused with spring-blooming crocus which is not toxic. However, autumn crocus contains colchicine, a toxic alkaloid that can be poisonous to humans if ingested. Symptoms of autumn crocus poisoning include gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and potentially life-threatening symptoms like respiratory failure, kidney damage, and even seizures or cardiovascular collapse in severe cases. Medical attention should be sought immediately if ingestion is suspected.
To pets
Fall crocus or autumn crocus, is toxic to pets, including cats and dogs. Similar to its effects on humans, ingestion of the autumn crocus, which contains colchicine, can lead to severe symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling, blood in urine, seizures, multi-organ failure, and it can be potentially fatal. If a pet ingests autumn crocus, immediate veterinary care is essential.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm)
Spread
3 inches (7.5 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Early Spring Bloomer: Crocus 'Goldilocks' is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, adding color to gardens after the winter months.
- Attracts Pollinators: The vibrant flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting the local ecosystem.
- Low Maintenance: This crocus variety requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Crocus 'Goldilocks' can tolerate periods of low water, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
- Naturalizing: These plants can multiply and spread over time to create natural drifts of color without the need for regular planting.
- Compact Size: With their small size, Crocus 'Goldilocks' is perfect for borders, rock gardens, or underplanting larger spring-blooming bulbs and shrubs.
- Container Friendly: They can be grown in pots or window boxes, offering flexibility for those with limited garden space.
- Deer and Rodent Resistant: Generally resistant to deer and rodents, which helps prevent them from being eaten by wildlife.
- Works as Ground Cover: These low-growing plants can be used as a flowering ground cover in the spring.
- Versatile Planting Options: They can be planted in lawns, woodland gardens, or as part of a mixed bulb border for varied garden designs.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crocus 'Goldilocks' petals can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, giving them a gentle yellow to golden hue.
- The stigmas of the Crocus are traditionally used to make saffron spice, but 'Goldilocks' can offer an aesthetic alternative for crafts by infusing oil with its color for soap making.
- Petals of the Crocus can be pressed and included in botanical art pieces or used in decoupage for decorating objects and furniture.
- The corms, which are the bulb-like storage organs of Crocus 'Goldilocks', can be ground into a paste for use in traditional starching of clothes and linens.
- Crocus flowers can be crystallized with egg whites and sugar to create decorative and edible garnishes for desserts and cakes.
- 'Goldilocks' blooms can be used to create a natural, floral watercolor paint by soaking the petals to extract their color.
- The vivid color of Crocus 'Goldilocks' petals can serve as a biological indicator for pH experiments, changing color with the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
- Dried Crocus petals can be added to potpourris or sachets to provide a subtle fragrance to linen closets and drawers.
- Floral parts of Crocus 'Goldilocks' can be used in crafting homemade paper, providing texture and splashes of color.
- Crocus 'Goldilocks' flowers can serve as an early source of pollen for bees and other pollinators, which can be helpful for supporting local ecosystems.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Crocus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Crocus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Hope: The crocus is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, often while snow is still on the ground. Its emergence symbolizes hope and the promise of warmer days to come.
- Youthful Gladness: With its bright and cheerful colors, the crocus is often associated with the joy and carefree days of youth.
- Cheerfulness: The crocus' vibrant hues bring cheer to the drab landscapes of late winter and early spring, symbolizing happiness and positivity.
- New Beginnings: As an early spring flower, the crocus represents new beginnings and the start of a new cycle of life.
WaterCrocus 'Goldilocks', commonly known as Goldilocks Crocus, should be watered moderately to maintain moist soil during its growth in the spring. Once the foliage begins to die back, watering can be reduced, as Crocuses are dormant in the summer. During the growing season, watering once a week with about an inch of water should be sufficient. It's important not to overwater to prevent rot. The plant will require less water if natural rainfall provides moisture.
LightGoldilocks Crocus prefers full to partial sunlight, thriving in an area that receives several hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot could be in a south or west-facing garden that is well-lit through the morning and partially shaded in the hottest part of the afternoon. Adequate light is vital for the plant to produce its vibrant blooms in early spring.
TemperatureGoldilocks Crocus grows best in temperatures between 35 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive winter cold down to about -20 degrees Fahrenheit and, once established, they can handle summer heat up to about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The bulbs require a period of cold dormancy, making them suitable for cold climates, but they should be planted in an area that avoids extreme cold winds.
PruningPruning Goldilocks Crocus is mainly about removing spent flowers and yellowed foliage after they have finished blooming. This can be done annually, usually in late spring once the foliage has died back naturally. Pruning at this time helps redirect the plant's energy to the bulb for next year's growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCrocus 'Goldilocks', commonly known as Goldilocks Crocus, thrives in a well-draining soil mix with ample organic matter. A suitable recipe includes equal parts of loamy garden soil, compost or well-rotted manure, and sharp sand or perlite to improve drainage. The pH should ideally be neutral to slightly alkaline, ranging between 6.0 and 7.5 for optimal growth.
RepottingGoldilocks Crocus does not typically require frequent repotting as it grows from corms. Repotting is usually done every 3 to 4 years, best performed after the foliage has died back, typically in late spring or early summer. This allows the corms to settle in before the next growth cycle.
Humidity & MistingGoldilocks Crocus prefers average humidity levels and will thrive in the natural outdoor humidity in most temperate climates. It does not have particular humidity needs and is generally adaptable to the humidity found in most homes when grown indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and cool temperatures.
Outdoor
Plant corms in well-draining soil, full sun to part shade.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleCrocus 'Goldilocks', commonly known as Goldilocks Crocus, begins its life cycle as a corm, a bulb-like storage organ, which is planted in the ground in late summer to early fall. During autumn, it establishes roots and may send up shoots. Throughout the winter, it lies dormant underground, with the corm conserving energy. As spring approaches and the soil warms up, it breaks dormancy, sending up narrow, grass-like leaves and typically bright yellow flowers that are among the first to bloom, signaling the end of winter. After flowering, the leaves photosynthesize, replenishing the corm for the next season. Once the foliage has died back by late spring or early summer, the plant returns to dormancy, concluding its annual cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Autumn
Crocus 'Goldilocks', commonly known as Goldilocks Crocus, is typically propagated through the division of its corms, which are bulb-like storage organs. The best time to propagate crocuses by dividing the corms is in late summer to early fall, after the foliage has died back and the corms have completed their growth cycle. To propagate, carefully dig up the clumps of corms and gently separate them by hand. Replant the individual corms immediately at a depth of around 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm), with a spacing of 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart, in well-draining soil with good sunlight exposure. This ensures that the corms will settle in before the winter and start their growth cycle in spring, leading to blooming in the following season.
