Description
(formerly Crocus napolitanus).
In 2014 a wide geographical range of the Crocus vernus complex was studied. As a result there are some newly-named species coupled with the re-emergence of several older names (formerly and incorrectly lumped as synonyms under the very broad umbrella name of “Crocus vernus”). We now have the following species names within the vernus complex (we are not growing all of these) :- heuffelianus, ilvensis, neapolitanus, neglectus, siculus and the name vernus is retained as a valid name for some plants.
Crocus neapolitanus is a newly recognised botanical re-acceptance of a plant which has been in cultivation for some time. It is a long-standing name which has been raised from synonymy to species status! C. neapolitanus is the name reserved for for diploid plants (2n = 8) distributed in parts of SE France, Italy, SW Austria and Slovenia
We have a lovely new stock raised from a wild Italian seed collection AH.1902. This is NOT the older, now discontinued D. Husum stock.
Small and slender, deep purple flowers, early in the spring. The petals are quite wide and so the flower is more full and less starry than many often with darker tips to the petals. This is a truly lovely little plant – the mountain representative of the Crocus vernus complex.
Moist garden soil with good drainage is best and it needs little attention. Fully hardy here.
