Snow Crocus Crocus sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten'
ABOUT
Crocus sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten', commonly known as Hubert Edelsten crocus, is a spring-flowering bulbous plant with striking flowers and foliage that adds a splash of color to the landscape. The most noticeable feature of this plant is its blossoms, which come in a beautiful shade of purple with a lighter, almost silvery-white stripe running through the middle of each petal, creating a striking contrast. The throat of the flowers often has a bright orange or yellow coloration which can be seen when the blooms are fully opened. The plant’s narrow, grass-like leaves are dark green with a silvery stripe running down the center, which complements the flower colors and adds to its overall ornamental value. The foliage typically emerges just before or alongside the flowers. The leaves are delicate and help frame the colorful blossoms, which on sunny days open wide to reveal their full beauty and occasionally can attract early-season pollinators. These plants usually bloom early in the spring, being one of the first signs of the end of winter, and their flowers can last for several weeks, depending on the weather conditions. The Hubert Edelsten crocus has a clumping habit, often naturalizing over time to create larger displays of flowering beauty in the landscape, though it maintains a modest footprint, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Iridaceae
Synonyms
Snow Crocus, Early Crocus, Spring Crocus
Common names
Crocus sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten'.
ToxicityTo humans
Crocus sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten', commonly known as Sieber's Crocus, is not typically considered toxic to humans. In general, crocuses have a low level of toxicity, and accidental ingestion might result in minimal symptoms, such as gastrointestinal discomfort. However, it's important to note that they shouldn't be consumed as they are not edible plants. It's always best to avoid ingestion of ornamental plants to prevent any possible adverse reactions.
To pets
Sieber's Crocus is also considered to have low toxicity to pets. Ingestion might cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, but it is unlikely to cause severe poisoning. As with humans, ornamental plants including Sieber's Crocus should be kept out of reach of pets to prevent any potential health issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Lilac
Height
3 inches (7.62 cm)
Spread
3 inches (7.62 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Crocus sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten' is known for its beautiful lavender to deep purple flowers, adding vibrant color to gardens in early spring.
- Ease of Care: This plant is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established.
- Drought Tolerance: Being a bulbous plant, it has good drought resistance, making it suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
- Naturalizing: This crocus can spread and naturalize over time, creating impressive drifts of color in the landscape.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers provide an early nectar source for bees and other pollinators, which is crucial as food can be scarce in late winter and early spring.
- Adaptability: It can adapt to a wide range of soil types, making it versatile for different garden settings.
- Cold Tolerance: As a hardy plant, it is capable of surviving and blooming in cold climates after the last winter frosts.
- Deer Resistance: The plant is typically not a favorite among deer, so it is less likely to be damaged by grazing in areas with deer populations.
- Compact Size: The small stature of Crocus sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten' makes it ideal for borders, rock gardens, or container planting.
- Early Bloomer: As one of the first flowers to bloom in the year, it can provide an early burst of color when most other plants are still dormant.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Subject: The striking contrast between the vibrant violet petals and the lighter center of Crocus sieberi makes a compelling subject for photographers, especially macro-photography enthusiasts.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists may use the vivid coloration of the Crocus sieberi as inspiration for paintings, textiles, or jewelry designs.
- Educational Tool: Botany teachers use Crocus sieberi as a living example to teach students about the anatomy of flowers and the process of pollination.
- Seasonal Indicator: Gardeners and nature enthusiasts observe the Crocus sieberi as one of the early indicators that spring is arriving.
- Eco-friendly Dye: The flowers can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Culinary Garnishing: The petals of Crocus sieberi, though not commonly consumed, can be used to add a splash of color to salads and desserts.
- Symbolic Gift: Due to their early blooming, they are sometimes given as gifts to symbolize new beginnings or the coming of spring.
- Floristry: Crocus sieberi can be used in floral arrangements, especially in seasonal spring bouquets.
- Wedding Decor: The flowers can be used as part of wedding decorations, particularly for spring-themed weddings.
- Craft Projects: The pressed flowers of Crocus sieberi can be included in craft projects like handmade greeting cards, bookmarks, or scrapbooks.
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: Crocuses typically symbolize hope because they are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, signaling the end of winter and the coming of warmer weather.
- Youthful Gladness: The fresh, vibrant color of the Crocus sieberi 'Snow Bunting' can often represent the joy and cheerfulness of youth.
- Cheerfulness: Its bright and cheerful colors in the early spring are a happy sight after the long winter, hence Crocuses can be symbolic of cheerfulness.
WaterSnow Crocus requires moderate watering during its growing season. It is best to water Snow Crocus when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Provide the plant with about 1 inch of water once a week, ensuring that you water deeply to encourage root growth. During active growth in the spring, you can increase watering slightly but be cautious not to overwater as this can lead to bulb rot. During the dormant period, after the foliage has died back, reduce watering significantly to prevent the bulbs from becoming waterlogged.
LightSnow Crocus thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. It's ideal to plant them in a location where they can receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for Snow Crocus would be an area that gets ample morning sunlight and is shaded from the intense afternoon sun, which can be too harsh for the delicate flowers.
TemperatureSnow Crocus is a hardy plant that can tolerate winter temperatures down to about -20 degrees Fahrenheit. It usually does best in a temperature range of 35 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit during its growing season. The bulbs require a period of chilling at temperatures between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit before they can bloom, which is typically met with natural winter conditions in their hardiness zones.
PruningPruning is not required for Snow Crocus as they are small, low-maintenance bulbs. After flowering, allow the leaves to remain until they have yellowed and died back naturally, which helps the bulbs to gather energy for the next blooming season. Simply remove the spent flowers and dead foliage, if desired, to maintain a tidy appearance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSnow crocus prefers well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0. A mix of loamy soil, peat moss, and sand or perlite encourages healthy growth.
RepottingSnow crocus bulbs should be repotted every 3-4 years to ensure they have enough space to grow and to refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingSnow crocus thrives in average outdoor humidity levels and does not require any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, cool temperatures, with well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade, before winter.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleCrocus sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten', commonly known as Sieber's Crocus, begins its life cycle when the corm, a storage organ similar to a bulb, is planted in well-drained soil in late summer to autumn. The corm undergoes a period of dormancy, typically in the summer when temperatures are hot and the soil is dry. With the arrival of cooler temperatures and moisture in the fall, the crocus emerges from dormancy, sending up slender, leafy shoots and vibrant purple or violet flowers. After flowering in early spring, the foliage continues to grow and photosynthesize, replenishing the corm's energy reserves until it dies back as temperatures rise in late spring. The corm remains dormant through the summer, surviving off the stored nutrients. The cycle repeats annually, with the corm producing offsets that can be separated and planted to propagate new plants.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
Crocus sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten', commonly known as the Hubert Edelsten Crocus, is most effectively propagated through the division of its corms. The ideal time to carry out this method is in the summer, after the foliage has died back, which signals that the plant has entered its dormant period. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the corms and gently separate any cormlets – the small, child corms attached to the mother corm – from the main corm. Replant the corms promptly, placing them at a depth of around 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.6 to 10.2 centimeters) with the pointy end facing upwards. This method allows for the natural increase of the plants, ensuring they continue to thrive and produce their characteristic blooms in subsequent seasons.
