Crocus 'Pickwick' is a striking large-flowered spring crocus with silvery-white petals covered in fine purple stripes and veining. The intricate markings run along the length of each petal, creating a beautifully patterned flower that looks particularly impressive when planted in generous groups.

Flowering during March and reaching around 13cm tall, 'Pickwick' is ideal for borders, lawns, rockeries and containers. It is an easy way to introduce plenty of early spring colour and can be allowed to naturalise in suitable areas of the garden.

• Variety: Crocus 'Pickwick'
• Flower colour: silvery white, striped and veined purple
• Flowering time: March
• Height: approximately 13cm
• Position: full sun or light shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Planting time: autumn
• Suitable for: borders, lawns, rockeries, containers and naturalising

About Crocus 'Pickwick'

'Pickwick' is particularly recognisable for its unusual striped flowers. The petals have a pale silvery-white background overlaid with numerous purple veins, creating a delicate pinstriped appearance. Darker purple colouring towards the base provides additional contrast, while the vivid orange stigma becomes visible as the flowers open.

The markings are especially attractive when the blooms are closed or only partially open, when the striped outer surfaces can be seen clearly. On bright days the flowers open into broad cups, revealing their paler interiors and colourful centres.

Large Flowers for Early Spring

Crocus 'Pickwick' belongs to the large-flowered spring crocuses and produces substantial blooms despite reaching only around 13cm in height. This combination of large flowers and compact growth makes it particularly effective near the front of borders and in areas where the flowers can be viewed at close range.

It flowers during March, bringing colour to the garden as winter begins to give way to spring. Planting several corms together produces a much stronger display than isolated individual plants.

Growing Crocus 'Pickwick' in the UK

Plant Crocus 'Pickwick' corms during autumn in a sunny or lightly shaded position. Crocuses perform particularly well in locations that receive plenty of sunshine while they are actively growing and flowering.

Choose fertile, free-draining soil and avoid areas that remain persistently waterlogged. On heavier ground, improving drainage before planting will help prevent the dormant corms from sitting in excessively wet soil.

Naturalising in Lawns and Borders

'Pickwick' is an excellent choice for naturalised planting. Corms can be planted through lawns, beneath deciduous trees or in informal areas of borders where they can emerge amongst other early spring plants.

For a natural appearance, scatter the corms and plant them where they fall rather than arranging them in straight lines. Over time, established groups can create attractive patches of striped flowers that return each spring.

When growing crocuses through grass, avoid mowing the foliage immediately after flowering. Allow the leaves to yellow and die back naturally so they can replenish the corms for the following year.

Growing Crocus 'Pickwick' in Containers

The unusual markings of 'Pickwick' also make it an excellent crocus for containers. Plant several corms together in pots, troughs or window boxes filled with good-quality, free-draining compost.

Its silvery-white and purple colouring combines particularly well with yellow miniature narcissi or other early bulbs in shades of blue, white and purple. Containers can be positioned close to paths, entrances and seating areas where the intricate flowers can easily be appreciated.

Planting Crocus 'Pickwick' with Other Bulbs

Crocus 'Pickwick' works well as part of a mixed spring bulb display. Its cool white and purple colouring provides an attractive contrast to golden-yellow crocuses and narcissi, while combining naturally with blue and violet spring flowers.

Because the plants remain compact, they can also be grown beneath later-emerging perennials. The crocuses provide their display in March before many larger border plants begin to fill the surrounding space.

Early Flowers for Pollinators

Spring crocuses can provide a useful early source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinating insects emerging during mild weather. Planting groups of crocuses alongside other early-flowering bulbs helps provide more feeding opportunities at a time when relatively few plants are in bloom.

After Flowering

Once the flowers have faded, leave the narrow green foliage in place and allow it to die back naturally. The leaves continue to photosynthesise after flowering, storing energy in the corm for the following season.

Once the foliage has completely yellowed it can be removed, although established corms planted in borders generally need no further attention until they begin growing again the following spring.

Why Grow Crocus 'Pickwick'?

• Large and distinctive spring flowers
• Silvery-white petals with fine purple stripes and veins
• Compact height of approximately 13cm
• Flowers during March
• Excellent for naturalising in lawns
• Ideal for borders and rockeries
• Performs well in pots and containers
• Provides useful early flowers for pollinating insects

With its unusually detailed purple striping and large silvery-white blooms, Crocus 'Pickwick' is one of the most recognisable spring crocuses. Easy to grow and versatile enough for borders, lawns and containers, it provides an impressive display of patterned flowers during March and can return year after year when planted in suitable conditions.