Cream Beauty Snow Crocus

Golden Crocus

Crocus chrysanthus 'Cream Beauty'

KROH-kus kri-SAN-thus
1 to 2 in.
1 to 2 in.

low to very low

cream

first two weeks in March

1 to 2 in.

1 to 2 in.

No

species is native to Turkey and the Balkans

sun to light shade

USDA zones 3-8

hardy to 8,000 ft.

Snow crocus are one of the first plants to bloom in spring. In the first two weeks of March, they produce beautiful flowers that signal the end of winter. Plant breeders have developed many different cultivars with white, yellow, blue or lavender flowers. 

Cream beauty snow crocus has light yellow flowers with a bronze throat. The flowers are lightly fragrant. Cream beauty, because of its resilience and ability to come back year after year, has been designated by the Royal Horticulture Society as a Plant of Merit. This designation means it has performed well in a variety of landscapes. 

Snow crocus are very low-maintenance and naturalize well. 

low to very low

cream

first two weeks in March

1 to 2 in.

1 to 2 in.

No

species is native to Turkey and the Balkans

sun to light shade

USDA zones 3-8

hardy to 8,000 ft.

Cream beauty snow crocus has been a beautiful little spring-flowering bulb at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. It is the first plant to bloom every year. The dainty, light yellow flowers are a welcome sight in spring. 

Snow crocus are very small. To make sure they are noticeable, plant them in large numbers and site them in a spot close to a pathway. 

After flowering, the leaves will photosynthesize and transfer energy to the bulbs. This energy storage allows the bulbs to regenerate and flower the following year. 

 

The leaves will turn yellow and wither about 6-8 weeks after the flowers have faded. Pull off the leaves only after they are yellow and shrunken. The bulbs will remain dormant until the following spring.