Crocus tommasinianus 'Barr's Purple' is a beautiful early-flowering crocus producing delicate soft lilac-mauve flowers as winter begins to give way to spring. Compact, hardy and wonderfully easy to naturalise, it is an excellent choice for lawns, beneath deciduous trees, woodland edges and informal areas of the garden.
Often known as one of the "Tommies", Crocus tommasinianus is particularly valued for its ability to establish and spread when planted in suitable conditions. 'Barr's Purple' offers a slightly richer purple colouring than many forms, creating attractive drifts of colour from January through to March, depending on the weather.
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Botanical name: Crocus tommasinianus 'Barr's Purple'
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Common name: Early Crocus
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Flower colour: soft lilac-mauve to purple
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Flowering time: January-March
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Height: 4-10cm
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Position: full sun or partial shade
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Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
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Hardiness: hardy
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Suitable for: lawns, borders, woodland gardens, rockeries and naturalising
About Crocus 'Barr's Purple'
'Barr's Purple' is a selected cultivar of Crocus tommasinianus, a species native to parts of south-eastern Europe. It produces elegant goblet-shaped flowers held just above its slender, grass-like foliage. The petals are coloured in attractive shades of lilac and mauve-purple, with the intensity varying according to the light and stage of the flower.
On sunny days the flowers open to reveal their bright orange centres, providing a striking contrast against the cooler purple petals. During dull or cold weather the flowers remain more tightly closed, creating slender flashes of colour amongst the winter garden.
An Excellent Crocus for Naturalising
One of the biggest advantages of Crocus tommasinianus 'Barr's Purple' is its suitability for naturalising. Once established in favourable conditions, the plants can gradually increase to form larger colonies, creating an increasingly impressive display each spring.
Plant the corms in groups rather than individually for the most natural appearance. They are particularly effective scattered through lawns, beneath deciduous trees or amongst informal planting where they can be allowed to establish with minimal disturbance.
Growing Crocus tommasinianus 'Barr's Purple'
Plant the corms during autumn in fertile, well-drained soil. A position in full sun or partial shade is suitable, making this crocus particularly useful beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. Here, the plants receive plenty of light while flowering before the overhead canopy develops fully later in spring.
Avoid permanently waterlogged ground, as excessive winter moisture can cause corms to rot. Once flowering has finished, allow the narrow foliage to die back naturally. The leaves continue to feed the corms after flowering and removing them too early can weaken the following year's display.
Naturalising Crocus in Grass
'Barr's Purple' is an excellent choice for adding early colour to lawns and grassy areas. For a natural appearance, plant the corms in irregular groups rather than straight lines or evenly spaced patterns.
When growing crocuses in grass, avoid mowing the foliage immediately after flowering. Allow the leaves several weeks to mature and begin dying back naturally before cutting the area. This gives the plants time to replenish their corms ready for the following season.
Early Flowers for Pollinators
Early-flowering crocuses can provide a useful source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinating insects emerging during mild spells in late winter and early spring. Planting groups of 'Barr's Purple' alongside other early bulbs can help extend the period during which flowers are available.
The rich orange centres are particularly conspicuous when the flowers open in sunshine, making the blooms attractive to both gardeners and visiting insects.
Where to Plant Barr's Purple Crocus
Its compact size makes this variety extremely versatile. Plant it towards the front of borders, amongst low-growing perennials, in rockeries or beneath deciduous shrubs. It also combines beautifully with snowdrops, winter aconites and other small spring bulbs.
For the greatest impact, plant generously. Small groups will gradually increase, while larger initial plantings can create attractive sweeps of lilac-purple colour from their first flowering season.
Why Grow Crocus 'Barr's Purple'?
- Beautiful soft lilac-mauve flowers
- Flowers very early in the year
- Hardy and easy to grow
- Excellent for naturalising
- Ideal for planting in lawns
- Suitable beneath deciduous trees and shrubs
- Compact growth of only 4-10cm
- Useful early flowers for pollinating insects
- Returns year after year in suitable conditions
Crocus tommasinianus 'Barr's Purple' is an excellent choice for gardeners wanting reliable early colour with very little maintenance. Plant the corms in autumn and, given suitable conditions, they can gradually develop into attractive colonies that produce a carpet of delicate lilac-mauve flowers during the first few months of the year.
