Crocus vernus 'Whale Shark' is an unusually large-flowered spring crocus with a beautiful contrast between its cool-toned outer and inner petals. From the outside, the flowers have a soft greyish-blue to silvery-lilac appearance, while opening blooms reveal a much richer violet-blue interior. The result is an elegant crocus whose colouring changes noticeably as the flowers open in the spring sunshine.

Flowering in March and growing to around 20cm tall, 'Whale Shark' makes an excellent addition to borders, rockeries, lawns and containers. Its subtle colouring works particularly well when planted in groups, where the combination of silvery outer petals and stronger violet centres creates an impressive early spring display.

• Botanical name: Crocus vernus 'Whale Shark'
• Flower colour: greyish-blue and silvery-lilac outside, violet-blue inside
• Established height: approximately 20cm
• Flowering time: March
• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Hardiness: hardy
• Suitable for: borders, rockeries, containers, lawns and naturalising

About Crocus 'Whale Shark'

'Whale Shark' is a cultivar of Crocus vernus, the group commonly known as Dutch or large-flowered crocuses. Compared with many of the smaller species crocuses, these plants produce substantial goblet-shaped blooms that make a strong impact despite flowering relatively early in the gardening year.

What makes 'Whale Shark' particularly distinctive is its sophisticated colouring. Closed and partially opened flowers appear predominantly pale grey-blue or silvery lilac. As the petals open, their richer violet-blue inner surfaces become visible, giving each flower a contrasting two-tone effect.

March Flowers for the Spring Garden

'Whale Shark' flowers during March, bringing colour to the garden as winter gives way to spring. The blooms emerge amongst slender, grass-like foliage and open wider during bright weather, showing off the deeper colouring hidden within.

Its cool shades are easy to combine with other spring bulbs. Try planting it alongside white crocuses and snowdrops for a restrained display, or contrast it with yellow crocuses, miniature daffodils and winter aconites for a much brighter combination.

Growing Crocus vernus 'Whale Shark'

Plant the corms during autumn in a sunny or partially shaded position. A fertile, well-drained soil is ideal. Good drainage is particularly important during winter, as crocus corms dislike sitting in persistently waterlogged ground.

Once flowering has finished, allow the foliage to remain in place until it has yellowed and died back naturally. The leaves continue feeding the corm after the flowers have faded, helping to build up energy for the following spring.

Planting in Borders and Rockeries

Growing to approximately 20cm, 'Whale Shark' is ideal towards the front of borders or amongst low-growing perennial plants. Planting the corms in groups rather than individually creates a much stronger display and allows the unusual variation between the outer and inner petal colours to really stand out.

It also performs well in rockeries and gravel gardens where drainage is good. The pale flowers look particularly attractive emerging amongst rocks and low-growing ground cover in early spring.

Growing Crocus 'Whale Shark' in Containers

'Whale Shark' is an excellent choice for pots, window boxes and mixed spring containers. Its large flowers can be appreciated at close range, making it easier to see the subtle grey-blue colouring and richer violet interiors.

Plant several corms together in a free-draining compost for a fuller display. They can also be combined with other crocuses, small daffodils and species tulips to produce a container that changes colour as different bulbs come into flower.

Naturalising Crocus 'Whale Shark'

Like other hardy spring crocuses, 'Whale Shark' can be planted informally through lawns and grassy areas. Scatter the corms in irregular groups before planting rather than arranging them in rows, which gives a more natural appearance.

Where crocuses are grown in grass, allow their foliage to die back before mowing. This gives the leaves time to replenish the corms and helps maintain a reliable display in subsequent years.

Early Food for Pollinators

Spring crocuses provide a useful source of pollen and nectar at a time when relatively few garden plants are flowering. On mild, sunny days their open blooms can be visited by early bees and other pollinating insects.

Growing several crocus varieties with slightly different flowering periods is a simple way to extend the availability of early flowers while also creating a longer-lasting spring display.

Why Grow Crocus 'Whale Shark'?

• Unusual cool greyish-blue outer petals
• Rich violet-blue colouring inside the flowers
• Large, elegant goblet-shaped blooms
• Flowers during March
• Grows to approximately 20cm
• Excellent for borders and rockeries
• Well suited to pots and containers
• Suitable for naturalising in grass
• Hardy and easy to grow
• Provides an early source of food for pollinators

With its unusual combination of silvery grey-blue outer petals and rich violet-blue interiors, Crocus vernus 'Whale Shark' offers something a little different from the traditional purple, white and yellow spring crocuses. Plant it in generous groups and its large, beautifully contrasting flowers will provide an elegant splash of colour each March.