Snow crocus Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze' is a vibrant early spring bloomer known for its striking flowers. It has a bold color palette, featuring blooms with a rich, golden yellow interior that are embraced by bronze-tinted outer petals, creating an eye-catching contrast. These cup-shaped flowers emerge from narrow, grass-like foliage that sets a green stage for the blossoms to truly stand out. The leaves are dark green, sometimes showing a central stripe, which is lighter in color, enhancing the ornamental value of the plant during its flowering period. The general appearance of 'Zwanenburg Bronze' is enchanting as it brightens up spring gardens with its warm hues.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Snow Crocus, Golden Crocus, Zwanenburg Bronze Crocus
- Common names
  Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Crocus is generally considered to have low toxicity for humans. Ingesting parts of the crocus plant may cause mild stomach upset, but it's not considered highly toxic and serious poisoning is rare. If large quantities of the plant are consumed, it could potentially lead to more severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. It's always wise to avoid ingesting parts of ornamental plants as their safety for consumption is typically not established.
- To pets
  Crocus can be toxic to pets, particularly dogs and cats. The spring crocus, including Crocus chrysanthus, is generally considered less toxic than the autumn crocus, but it can still cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. In more severe cases, ingestion can result in excessive salivation and abdominal pain. Pet owners should discourage their pets from eating any part of crocus plants and should contact a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Bronze
- Height
  3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm)
- Spread
  3 inches (7.6 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3-8
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Early Bloomer: Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze' is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, often emerging while snow is still on the ground.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers provide an early source of nectar for bees and other pollinators waking up from their winter dormancy.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, the plant requires minimal care, making it a good choice for gardeners seeking low-effort plants.
- Drought Tolerant: After blooming, it can tolerate periods of dryness, which is beneficial in regions with water restrictions or naturally dry climates.
- Naturalizing: It can self-propagate and spread over time, creating naturalized drifts of color in the landscape.
- Deer and Rodent Resistant: The plant is not favored by deer or rodents, reducing the likelihood of damage in areas where these animals are common.
- Versatile Planting: It’s suitable for a wide range of garden settings including borders, rock gardens, and under trees or shrubs.
- Compact Size: Its small size makes it suitable for use in containers or small garden spaces.
- Colorful Display: It produces striking, bronze-tinged flowers that can add a unique color palette to early spring gardens.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze', commonly known as Snow Crocus, can be used as a natural dye source, particularly the corms which can produce subtle yellow to bronze hues in textiles.
- These crocuses are often planted in lawns where they can create a striking naturalized, spring-flowering display before regular grass mowing resumes.
- The dried stigmas of closely related crocus species are used for saffron, but these can add an unexpected twist to homemade potpourris with their appearance and faint scent.
- In art and photography, the distinctive bronze and yellow hues of Snow Crocus can provide an alluring subject for botanical illustrations and macro photography projects.
- The Snow Crocus can be used in winter gardens for imaginative displays, pairing well with snow and ice in creative garden installations.
- When planted in containers, they can be easily moved to protect from severe weather, allowing gardeners in colder climates to enjoy their blooms earlier in the season.
- These plants serve as an early food source for bees and other pollinating insects emerging from hibernation, helping to sustain local ecosystems.
- By implementing Snow Crocuses in educational settings, teachers can use them to illustrate plant life cycles and the advent of spring in temperate climates.
- For culinary presentation, the Snow Crocus blooms can be placed as edible garnishes on spring-themed dishes, although they are not known for their flavor.
- These crocuses can be integrated into sensory gardens, providing early-season color and inviting tactile interaction with their delicate petals and leaves.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Crocus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Crocus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Hope: The crocus flower often symbolizes hope due to its early appearance in the spring, signifying the end of winter and the promise of new beginnings.
- Youthfulness: As a symbol of youthfulness, the crocus reflects the freshness and rejuvenation that comes with the arrival of spring.
- Cheerfulness: The bright colors of the crocus can represent joy and cheer, bringing happiness to those who witness its bloom.
- Affection: In some floral languages, the crocus is a representation of affection, given as a gesture of fondness or caring.

💧

When soil is dry

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Fall

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Snow crocus, including the variety 'Zwanenburg Bronze', prefer evenly moist soil, especially when they are actively growing in the late winter and spring. Water these bulbs when the top inch of the soil feels dry, usually about once a week depending on the weather and soil drainage. It's best to water deeply and less frequently rather than little and often, aiming for about one gallon of water per square yard of soil. Over-watering can lead to bulb rot, so it's crucial to ensure the soil has good drainage. Reduce watering after the blooms have faded and the leaves begin to die back, signaling the plant is going into dormancy.
Light
Snow crocus like 'Zwanenburg Bronze' thrive best in full sun to partial shade. Plant them in a spot where they can receive at least 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily. They will bloom most abundantly when positioned in a bright location but can tolerate light shade, especially in areas with very warm spring climates.
Temperature
Snow crocus, such as 'Zwanenburg Bronze', are hardy and can withstand cold winter temperatures, often blooming through snow. They are suitable for growth in temperature ranges from as low as 35°F during their dormant period. The ideal temperature for active growth and flowering is between 50°F and 65°F. They can survive brief periods of colder winter temperatures down to -20°F.
Pruning
Snow crocus, including 'Zwanenburg Bronze', do not require pruning in the traditional sense. After blooming, allow the foliage to die back naturally without cutting it, as this process helps the bulbs store energy for the next season. The best "pruning" for these plants is the deadheading of faded flowers if desired for aesthetic reasons, but it's not necessary for the health of the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Snow Crocus prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Mix garden soil with sand and organic matter to enhance drainage; incorporating bulb fertilizer can also benefit blooming.
Repotting
Snow Crocus bulbs should be repotted every 3 to 5 years or once they become overcrowded in their current space, which can inhibit flowering.
Humidity & Misting
Snow Crocus thrives in outdoor conditions and does not require specific humidity levels; typical outdoor humidity is sufficient for its growth.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Snow Crocus in bright, indirect light with cool temperatures.
- Outdoor
  Plant Snow Crocus in well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness zone
  3-8 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze', commonly known as Snow Crocus or Golden Crocus, begins with bulb dormancy typically during the summer months when the bulb is inactive. In early spring, the bulb breaks dormancy and produces narrow, grass-like leaves along with stems bearing single, cup-shaped yellow to bronze flowers that emerge through the soil. After flowering, the plant enters a vegetative stage where the leaves photosynthesize and store energy in the bulb for the next season. Once the blooming period is over and seed pods have matured, the plant enters senescence; the foliage yellows and withers as the plant retreats back into the bulb. The bulb enters a new period of dormancy until the next spring cycle. During its lifetime, the Snow Crocus bulb also undergoes propagation, either naturally through seed dispersal or division by gardeners, giving rise to new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Fall
- Propogation: Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze', also known as Snow Crocus, is most commonly propagated through division of its corms. The best time for this is late summer to early fall, after the foliage has died back and the corms have completed their growth cycle. When dividing, gently lift the clump of corms from the ground and brush off any soil. You will notice that smaller corms, or cormlets, have developed around the base of the mother corm. These can be detached and planted separately. Plant the cormlets around 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) deep and approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) apart in well-draining soil with good exposure to sunlight. This method of propagation allows the Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze' to spread and flourish in your garden, producing its characteristic bronze-yellow flowers with each coming spring.