{"product_id":"crocus-dorothy-light-corms","title":"Crocus 'Dorothy' Corms","description":"\u003cp\u003eCrocus 'Dorothy' is a delightful early-flowering crocus producing masses of warm, light golden-yellow flowers. Each bloom has attractive bronze striping on the outside of the petals, creating a beautiful contrast when the flowers are closed and adding extra character to this cheerful little spring bulb.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlowering from February into March and reaching just 7-10cm tall, 'Dorothy' is ideal for rockeries, border edges, containers and naturalising through lawns. Its compact habit and early flowering season make it particularly useful for bringing colour to the garden while many other plants are still dormant.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crocus 'Dorothy'\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e light golden yellow with bronze outer stripes\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering time:\u003c\/strong\u003e February-March\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7-10cm\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorm size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5cm+\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun or light shade\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, well-drained soil\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting time:\u003c\/strong\u003e autumn\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e lawns, borders, rockeries, containers and naturalising\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003ch3\u003eAbout Crocus 'Dorothy'\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003e'Dorothy' belongs to a group of early crocus hybrids known for producing slightly smaller flowers than the familiar Dutch Large Flowering Crocuses. What they lack in flower size they more than make up for with their varied colours, attractive markings and earlier flowering season.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe flowers of 'Dorothy' are a particularly warm shade of golden yellow. On the outside of the petals, distinctive bronze markings create an attractive striped effect. These markings are especially noticeable before the flowers fully open, giving the plant plenty of interest throughout its flowering period.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eGolden Flowers for the Late Winter Garden\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppearing from February, the sunny flowers of Crocus 'Dorothy' provide a welcome splash of colour towards the end of winter. Their warm golden tones stand out beautifully against dark soil, gravel and dormant vegetation.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOn bright days the flowers open into neat cups, creating a much broader display of yellow. During dull weather and at night they close again, showing off the bronze markings on the outside of the petals.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eFlowering from February to March\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrocus 'Dorothy' typically flowers between February and March, although exact timing will vary according to local weather conditions. This makes it a useful choice for extending the spring bulb season before many larger crocuses, narcissi and tulips reach their peak.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor a colourful early display, combine 'Dorothy' with white, cream, blue or purple crocuses. The contrasting colours work particularly well when planted together in informal drifts.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eGrowing Crocus 'Dorothy' in the UK\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant the corms during autumn in a position receiving plenty of sunlight. Light shade is also suitable, particularly beneath deciduous trees and shrubs where the plants receive winter and early spring sunshine before the canopy develops.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGood drainage is important, as crocus corms do not appreciate sitting in persistently wet soil. Most reasonably fertile garden soils are suitable provided excess winter water can drain away freely.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003ePlanting Crocus Corms\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrocuses generally look best planted in groups rather than as isolated individual plants. Plant several 'Dorothy' corms together to create a concentrated patch of golden colour, or spread them through a larger area to produce a more natural appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor informal planting, try scattering the corms over the chosen area and planting them where they land. This creates irregular spacing that looks much more natural than planting in straight rows.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003ePerfect for Rockeries and Border Edges\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowing only 7-10cm tall, 'Dorothy' is an excellent choice for rock gardens, gravel gardens and the front of sunny borders. Its compact size allows it to grow amongst low-growing perennials without overwhelming neighbouring plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe flowers also work well planted between later-emerging herbaceous perennials. The crocuses provide early colour before disappearing naturally as surrounding plants begin their spring growth.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eGrowing Crocus 'Dorothy' in Containers\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe compact size of 'Dorothy' makes it ideal for pots, troughs and window boxes. Plant several corms together in a container filled with good-quality, free-draining compost and position it somewhere that receives plenty of winter sunshine.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContainers are particularly useful for early crocuses because they can be positioned near entrances, patios and windows where the small flowers can be enjoyed at close range. 'Dorothy' also works well as part of a layered spring bulb container with miniature narcissi and later-flowering tulips.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eNaturalising in Lawns\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrocus 'Dorothy' can also be planted through lawns and informal grassy areas to create a natural spring display. Small groups scattered irregularly through the grass are usually more effective than evenly spaced rows.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter flowering, allow the narrow foliage to remain until it has naturally yellowed and died back. If planted in a lawn, delay mowing the area until this process is complete. The leaves need time to replenish the corms and prepare them for the following year's flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eEarly Flowers for Pollinators\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eEarly crocuses are a useful addition to wildlife-friendly gardens because they can provide pollen and nectar when relatively few other garden plants are flowering. On mild, sunny days in February and March, their open flowers can attract early-active bees and other pollinating insects.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlanting several varieties with overlapping flowering periods can help provide a succession of early blooms as winter gives way to spring.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eAfter Flowering\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrocus 'Dorothy' requires very little maintenance once established. Leave the foliage to die back naturally after flowering rather than cutting or tying the leaves while they are still green.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn suitable conditions the corms can remain undisturbed in the ground, returning each spring and gradually creating larger groups of flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Crocus 'Dorothy'?\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eWarm light golden-yellow flowers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDistinctive bronze striping on the outer petals\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEarly flowering from February to March\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCompact height of just 7-10cm\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExcellent for rockeries and border edges\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePerfect for pots and window boxes\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eSuitable for naturalising through lawns\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eProvides useful early flowers for pollinating insects\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith its cheerful golden flowers, distinctive bronze markings and early flowering season, Crocus 'Dorothy' is an excellent little bulb for brightening the late winter garden. Plant it generously in groups and it will create attractive pockets of colour from February into March.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jacques Amand","offers":[{"title":"10 Corms","offer_id":62373038883203,"sku":"JA-C7760x10","price":3.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 Corms","offer_id":62373038915971,"sku":"JA-C7760x100","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1000 Corms","offer_id":62373038948739,"sku":"JA-C7760x1000","price":209.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0108\/3418\/2207\/files\/C7760_Crocus_Dorothy-466.webp?v=1788255459","url":"https:\/\/gardenwildlife.com\/products\/crocus-dorothy-light-corms","provider":"Garden Wildlife","version":"1.0","type":"link"}