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Key characteristics

Family: Iridaceae
Height: 4 to 6 in
Width: 2 to 4 in (per clump of foliage and flowers)
Flower color: Rich deep violet-purple petals with a contrasting darker base and lighter throat
Foliage color: Medium green, narrow grass-like leaves with a central silvery stripe
Bloom time: Early to mid spring
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate moisture
Maintenance: Low; remove spent flowers to tidy appearance, allow foliage to die back naturally
Growing zone: USDA zones 3 to 8
Wildlife: Bees and other early-season pollinators

Groundcovers

Crocus vernus 'Pickwick'

Pickwick Dutch Crocus

Crocus vernus 'Pickwick' features broad, goblet-shaped flowers patterned with bold lavender and deep violet striping over a silvery white base. The petals open wide in sunlight, revealing bright orange stamens at the center. Slender, grasslike foliage appears with the blooms, marked by a pale midrib that adds subtle contrast.

Blooming in late winter to early spring, this cultivar is part of the Dutch hybrid crocus group developed in Europe.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate moisture

Bloom time

Early to mid spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Pollinator Gardens
Pathways & Walkways
Borders
Rock Gardens

Companion plants

Ferns · Primroses · Hostas · Siberian buglosses · Hellebores · Japanese anemones

Design tip

Plant this striped crocus where its intricate flowers can be appreciated at close range beside paths or garden entrances. The detailed petal markings reward careful observation, adding unexpected visual interest long before most spring perennials begin to emerge.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)