Prairie crocus (Photo by Karol Dabbs)
A flower of many names, prairie crocus is also known as gosling plant, pasque-flower, windflower and more. The furry perennial is not actually a crocus, but an anemone, belonging to the buttercup family.
The species can be found in northern parts of Canada, such as the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and in British Columbia east to Manitoba.
Instead of the robin, look for the prairie crocus this spring
In prairie provinces, this species is a great indicator that winter has gone and warmer weather is here to stay. Even if spring hasn’t completely sprung, the diminutive flower is able to withstand cold, wind and snow because of the tiny woolly-white protective hairs that cover it.
The legend behind the flower
Prairie crocus in full bloom (Photo by NCC)
The prairie crocus is the subject of many myths. One tale connects the creation of the species with the west wind, Zephyr. A forbidden love between Anemone, a nymph, and Zephyr caused an angry Flora (the goddess of flowers) to banish the nymph from her court. When the broken-hearted Anemone died, Zephyr persuaded Venus to change her body into a flower that would bloom when spring began.
Interestingly, "anemone" comes from the Greek word for "wind."
Provincial emblem
The prairie crocus was officially adopted as the official flower of Manitoba in 1906. The idea to name a provincial flower was first suggested by the Manitoba Horticultural Society and was followed by a vote among schoolchildren, who awarded the flower first place (prairie lily and wild rose came in second and third place, respectively).
Slow and steady
The prairie crocus relies on natural pollination by wind and bees in the wild but is often planted in Canadian gardens for its beauty and resilience through the seasons. However, this species is a slow-growing flower, so gardeners will have to wait three or four years to reap what they sow.
FAQs
The hairs on the prairie crocus make the plant less attractive to livestock, but just in case being hairy isn't a strong enough defense, the plant has poisonous properties, too! It contains a poisonous alkaloid, an irritant that can cause inflammation and blistering.
What is another name for a prairie crocus? ›
A flower of many names, prairie crocus is also known as gosling plant, pasque-flower, windflower and more. The furry perennial is not actually a crocus, but an anemone, belonging to the buttercup family.
What is a fun fact about the prairie crocus? ›
The Prairie Crocus flower is a solar panel engineered by Mother Nature! The saucer-shaped flower, the crocus's fuzzy centre and highly reflective petals help produce warmth for this early flower. Tiny insects will also “hang out” in the centre of this flower to keep warm. The Prairie Crocus is a sun seeker.
How do you grow prairie crocus? ›
They are fairly easy to grow from seed. Prairie crocus prefer drier areas with well draining soil and full sun. Don't expect to grow them in a traditional lawn. Prairie crocus may be harmed by mowing.
Are crocus poisonous to touch? ›
Are autumn crocuses poisonous? Every part of an autumn crocus plant is highly toxic. Eating the leaves, tubers, flowers or seeds can be fatal. While poisoning from contact alone is unlikely, we suggest wearing gloves when handling the plant and keeping it well away from your mouth.
Are crocus poisonous to dogs? ›
Spring Crocus is non-toxic, but ingestion may cause mild symptoms of gastrointestinal upset in dogs. Care must be taken to distinguish spring crocus from the autumn crocus which is very poisonous.
What is the legend of the Prairie Crocus? ›
The whole plant is thickly covered with silky hairs. A First Nations legend tells that the Great Spirit gave the crocus its fur coat to keep it warm during cold spring nights.
What is special about the crocus flower? ›
Crocus are among the very first flowers to bloom each spring. In cold climates, their cheery blossoms will often open when there's still snow on the ground. Crocus flowers come in Easter-egg colors of purple, yellow, lavender, cream and white.
What does the Prairie Crocus symbolize? ›
It symbolized new growth, new opportunities and was a reason to get outside and explore the prairie. Every year, usually by mid-April, we would roam the hills on our farm looking for the first crocuses.
What is the myth of the crocus? ›
Crocus and Hermes were playing a game of discus and Hermes accidentally hit and killed his friend. A distraught Hermes turned the mortal Crocus's body into a flower. The first crocus grew at the spot where he died, symbolizing rebirth and renewal of the body and spirit.
Bloom Months
Crocuses are often one of the first late winter or early spring bloomers. They should be planted in the early fall. Crocuses usually emerge two to five weeks after the temperature rises in late winter or early spring (January through March), mainly dependent on the temperature shift.
How tall do Prairie Crocus get? ›
It grows to a height of 8–20 cm. Description: Prairie crocus is one of the first flowers to appear on the prairie in spring. The flowers appear before the leaves, from April to June. Each blossom is borne on a densely hairy stem, is coloured pale purple to blue or occasionally white, and measures 4–6 cm in diameter.
Is the prairie crocus edible? ›
The Prairie Crocus may look pretty, but don't touch it. All parts of the plant contain protoanemonin, which is poisonous if eaten, and causes rashes on skin, especially mucous membranes.
Will crocus come back every year? ›
Crocuses are perennial, which means they will bloom again every spring. They are also great at naturalising, so there's a good chance they will multiply every year.
Where is the best place to plant crocuses? ›
Where to plant crocuses. Most crocus varieties need to be planted in a sunny, open position. They'll successfully naturalise in grass to make a lovely spring meadow. Certain species, such as Crocus gargaricus, need moist but well-drained soil and will grow in partial shade too.
