Orange Monarch Snow Crocus (Crocus olivieri subsp. balansae 'Orange Monarch')
KROW-kus olivieri subspecies balansae 'Orange Monarch'

Deciduous Perennial Low, Clump-Forming in the Iridaceae Family
Note: Spring ephemerals have evolved take advantage of sunlight which penetrates deciduous forests before the trees fully leaf out and then shut down for the year by the end of spring to rest until the next year. When buying them in summer you typically won't see anything above the ground until the next April!
Golden-orange, dark-feathered blooms among the very first signs of spring.

Crocus olivieri subsp. balansae 'Orange Monarch' is a small, early-blooming species crocus valued for its golden-orange, goblet-shaped flowers feathered with dark purple-black on the outer petals. Native to western Turkey, it blooms very early in spring, often while snow is still melting, and naturalizes readily in lawns, rock gardens, and woodland edges over time.

Pros

  • One of the earliest flowers of spring, often blooming through melting snow
  • Striking golden-orange color with dark feathered markings
  • Naturalizes and multiplies over time with minimal care

Cons

  • Individual flowers are short-lived
  • Corms are mildly toxic if eaten by pets
  • Foliage should be left in place for several weeks after bloom
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 inches tall. 2 - 4 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Bulbs for Fall Planting, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Full Sun, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Spring Ephemeral
Bloom Period March to April
Flower Color Golden-Orange with Dark Feathering
Want photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 09/14 - 10/04
2024 : 09/19 - 09/21
2023 : 09/21 - 09/30

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!