Atticus Crocus Firefly Crocus sieberi subsp. atticus 'Firefly'

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
Sieber's crocus 'Firefly'

ABOUT

The Crocus sieberi subsp. atticus 'Firefly', commonly known as Firefly crocus, is a striking flowering plant that is part of the iris family. Its most notable feature is the vibrant cup-shaped flowers that bloom in an alluring shade of lilac with a luminous glow, giving the impression of a 'firefly'. These blooms typically have a darker shade of purple veining on their petals, which contrasts beautifully with the lighter lilac background, and they often display bright orange or yellow centers, adding a pop of color. The petals can also sometimes have a silvery or white tinge around the edges, further accentuating their delicate and ornamental appearance. Surrounding the flowers, the foliage of the Firefly crocus consists of slender, grass-like leaves that are a lush green in color. These leaves may have a slight sheen or ribbing, which adds texture to the plant's overall appearance. The leaves and flowers emerge from corms, a type of bulb-like storage organ that resides underground when the plant is dormant. Overall, the Firefly crocus presents a harmonious blend of vibrant blooms and graceful foliage, creating a delightful display in gardens or naturalized areas.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Iridaceae.

    • Synonyms

      Atticus Crocus, Firefly.

    • Common names

      Crocus sieberi subsp. atticus 'Firefly'.

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      The plant commonly known as 'Firefly' is a variety of crocus, and crocuses are generally considered to have low toxicity to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant, particularly the corms, can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms typically result from consuming large amounts of the plant material. It's always advisable for individuals to avoid ingesting ornamental plants due to the potential for adverse effects, and to seek medical attention if substantial quantities have been consumed or if symptoms appear.

    • To pets

      For pets, the 'Firefly' crocus presents a similar level of toxicity as to humans. While the plant is not highly toxic, ingestion, especially of the corm, may result in gastrointestinal upset in animals such as cats and dogs. Symptoms of this may include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. As with humans, pets should not be allowed to ingest parts of ornamental plants, and if significant quantities are consumed or if your pet begins to show symptoms of distress, you should contact your veterinarian for advice and potential treatment.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      Purple

    • Height

      3 inches (7.62 cm)

    • Spread

      3 inches (7.62 cm)

    • Plant type

      Bulb

    • Hardiness zones

      3

    • Native area

      Greece

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Eyecatching Aesthetic: 'Firefly' adds vibrant color to gardens with its bright, eye-catching yellow flowers.
    • Early Bloomer: Blooms in late winter or early spring, often when little else is flowering, providing early season interest.
    • Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
    • Attracts Pollinators: Provides nectar and pollen for early-season pollinators such as bees, which are crucial for ecosystem health.
    • Naturalizing: Over time, it can spread to form larger clumps, creating a naturalized look in the landscape.
    • Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is relatively drought-resistant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or dry climate gardens.
    • Container Gardening: Suitable for pots and containers, allowing for versatile garden design and beautification of patios and balconies.
    • Cold Hardy: Capable of withstanding cold temperatures, making it suitable for planting in a variety of climates.
    • Deer Resistant: Typically not favored by deer, which can be an important consideration in areas with a large deer population.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Crocus sieberi, commonly known as Sieber's Crocus, can be used in saffron production; although it's not the traditional saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), the stigmas of Sieber's Crocus could potentially be used as a saffron substitute in cooking.
    • Due to its vibrant colors, the petals of Sieber's Crocus can be used to make natural dyes for textiles or art projects.
    • The bulbs of Sieber's Crocus could be used in botanical studies to help understand the mechanisms of early spring flowering in plants.
    • Planting Sieber's Crocus in gardens can help to support early spring pollinators like bees, providing them with a vital food source when not many other flowers are in bloom.
    • Sieber's Crocus can be used in frost-resistant landscaping as it tolerates cold temperatures and can beautify gardens even in cooler climates.
    • Due to their attractive and distinctive appearance, the flowers may also be used in floral arrangements or as wedding decorations before they fully bloom.
    • They can be used educationally to teach children and gardening enthusiasts about bulb propagation and care.
    • Used in photography and as a subject in botanical illustration classes because of their distinctive and photogenic appearance.
    • Can serve as a natural pest deterrent, as some species of Crocus are known to have compounds that are unattractive to rodents and deer.
    • Their flowers, when dried and pressed, can be used in craft projects such as creating bookmarks, greeting cards, or in decoupage art.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The plant Firefly crocus is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The plant Firefly crocus is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Hope: Like many other types of crocuses, the Crocus sieberi 'Firefly' is often one of the first flowers to bloom at the end of winter, signaling the arrival of spring and the hope for warmer days.
    • Youthfulness: The fresh, bright appearance of the Firefly crocus captures the essence of youth, with its vibrant color and delicate form.
    • Cheerfulness: The bright and lively colors of the Firefly crocus inject a sense of cheerfulness into a garden landscape, lifting spirits and bringing smiles.
    • Renewal: The crocus is a symbol for new beginnings and renewal because it blooms at a time when nature wakes up from its winter slumber.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
5%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring
Propogation
✂️️
Not needed
Pruning

  • water dropWater

    For the Attic crocus 'Firefly', water sparingly as this plant is tolerant of dry conditions once established. During the growing season, which is late winter to spring, water the corms thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch, about once a week, providing about one gallon of water per square yard. After blooming, when the foliage begins to die back, reduce watering significantly. During the dormant period in summer, no additional watering is needed unless the season is exceptionally dry.

  • sunLight

    The Attic crocus 'Firefly' thrives best in full to partial sunlight so place it in a spot where it can receive at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal location might be a south-facing or west-facing area that gets ample bright light but is shielded from the harshest midday sun which could potentially scorch the foliage.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Attic crocus 'Firefly' prefers cooler temperatures and is hardy in a range between 35°F and 75°F. They can survive brief temperature swings outside of this range but will thrive when temperatures are consistently within this optimal zone. They are typically winter-flowering and are suitable for growth in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, indicating an ability to withstand even colder winter temperatures.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning is generally not necessary for the Attic crocus 'Firefly', but spent flowers can be removed to maintain a tidy appearance. Dead or damaged leaves should be trimmed off at the base after they have fully yellowed, which is usually post-blooming in late spring. It's best to leave the foliage until it dies back naturally to allow nutrients to return to the corms for the next season's growth.

  • broomCleaning

    Not needed

  • bambooSoil

    Atticus Crocus 'Firefly' thrives best in well-draining soil with a pH range from 6.0 to 8.0. A mixture of equal parts loam, sand, and compost is ideal to ensure proper drainage and fertility. Adding a small amount of lime can help to keep the soil pH neutral to slightly alkaline.

  • plantRepotting

    Atticus Crocus 'Firefly' doesn't require frequent repotting and can often be left for several years. Generally, repotting every 3-4 years is sufficient unless bulbs become overcrowded sooner.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Atticus Crocus 'Firefly' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but prefers conditions that are not overly humid. Average room humidity is typically suitable for this plant.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Plant in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil mix.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in well-drained soil; full sun to partial shade.

    • Hardiness zone

      3-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Crocus 'Firefly' begins its life cycle as a corm, a storage organ that allows it to survive during dormancy in harsh climates. In late winter or early spring, depending on the climate, it germinates and sends up narrow, grass-like leaves and usually lavender flowers with a radiant orange-yellow throat. After flowering, the plant goes through a period of photosynthesis and growth, during which it stores energy in the corm for the next season. As temperatures rise in late spring, the foliage dies back and the plant enters a period of dormancy to conserve resources throughout the hot, dry summer. In autumn to early winter, the corm rehydrates with the onset of cooler, wetter weather, and roots begin to grow in preparation for the next growth cycle. Each year, the corm may produce offsets, leading to the gradual propagation of the plant over time.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring

    • The Crocus sieberi subsp. atticus 'Firefly', known commonly as the Atticus Crocus 'Firefly', is primarily propagated through corm division. After the leaves have died back and the plant is dormant, usually in late summer or early fall, the corms can be carefully lifted from the soil. At this time, the corms will often have produced smaller cormlets, which can be gently separated from the mother corm. These separated cormlets are then planted immediately at a depth of about 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 centimeters), approximately 3 inches apart in well-draining soil with some exposure to sunlight. This method of vegetative propagation ensures that the new plants will be genetically identical to the parent.

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