Crocus 'Ard Schenk' Bulbs – Pure White Species Crocus, Extra-Early, Fall Planting

Crocus chrysanthus 'Ard Schenk' is one of the earliest and most prolific white Species Crocus available — an ancient variety with roots in pre-18th century Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, and still one of the best. Each bulb produces multiple pure white, six-petaled flowers with a warm bronze base that shimmers in winter sunshine. Blooming two full weeks ahead of Dutch Giant Crocus, Ard Schenk often flowers alongside snowdrops and Iris reticulata for a magical late-winter combination. Graceful, deer-resistant, and a natural in lawns, borders, and rock gardens, this is a Species Crocus that rewards long-term, undisturbed planting with ever-expanding drifts of pure white.

Why Gardeners Love It

• Multiple flowers per bulb — exceptional value and flower power for its size
• Blooms 2 weeks before Dutch Giant Crocus — flowers alongside snowdrops and Iris reticulata
• Pure white petals with a warm bronze base that shimmers in low winter light
• Ancient heirloom variety — proven across centuries and gardens worldwide
• Excellent for lawn tapestries, rock gardens, borders, and container forcing
• Deer-resistant; naturalizes freely in well-draining soil

Growing Details

• Type: Species Crocus (Chrysanthus)
• Bloom color: Pure white with bronze base
• Bloom time: Late March–early April (Zone 5); 2 weeks before Dutch Crocus
• Height: 4 inches
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8
• Planting depth: 4 inches
• Spacing: 3–4 inches apart (9 corms per sq ft for dense planting)
• Corm size: 5 cm+
• When to plant: Fall

Planting & Care

Plant in clusters for maximum impact — 9 corms per square foot for dense, naturalistic drifts. Do not mow lawn plantings until foliage has fully died back (approximately 6 weeks after blooming) to allow proper bulb multiplication. For indoor forcing: pot up in mid-October, precool at 38–45°F in a dark location for 8–10 weeks with moderate weekly watering, then move into progressively stronger sunlight indoors — blooms in about 4 weeks. Late spring snow is not a concern — Ard Schenk bounces back without issue.