Tecophilaea cyanocrocus Leichtlinii - Chilean blue crocus

The Chilean blue crocus, Tecophilaea cyanocrocus Leichtlinii, is a fascinating small bulbous plant, native to the high Chilean Andes. Sought after for its sky-blue flowers with white throats, this botanical treasure nearly disappeared. It has been preserved thanks to the work of passionate collectors, particularly in Great Britain, who have propagated it in alpine greenhouses. Awarded the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), the leichtlinii form is now considered one of the most reliable in cultivation. Long reserved for specialists, it is now accessible to amateurs, provided its specific needs are respected.

Tecophilaea cyanocrocus Leichtlinii is a bulbous perennial plant belonging to the small Tecophilaeaceae family. Native to a limited territory in the high Chilean Andes, particularly in the Santiago region and the Cordillera de la Costa, this plant grows at 2000 to 3000 metres altitude, in well-drained rocky slopes, often exposed to the sun. The climate of these areas is characterised by dry and temperate summers (thanks to the altitude) and cold, but dry winters, sometimes covered with a light blanket of snow. This climatic regime, dry during dormancy and moderately humid during growth, strongly conditions its cultivation success.
This blue crocus grows from a fibrous spherical corm 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter, covered with a brown skin. Its foliage, which emerges from the ground in winter, consists of two to three narrow, linear, 7 to 12 cm long, slightly channelled leaves, matt bluish-green, often tinged with grey. The flowers emerge in late winter or very early spring (February-March in mild climates) directly from the ground, solitary or in pairs, borne on a short peduncle 5 to 8 cm long. They measure 3 to 4 cm in diameter and are distinguished by their widely open funnel shape and their colouration: a soft sky-blue on the edges, contrasting with a very marked white central zone, more extensive than in the species. This arrangement gives a luminous and very sculptural appearance to the flowering. The tepals are shiny and slightly wavy, and the throat is adorned with very visible yellow-orange stamens. 
Like many Andean bulbous plants, this plant enters a strict summer dormancy after its foliage withers in May-June. Its active growth period begins in autumn, after watering resumes. It does not tolerate stagnant moisture and hot summers; cultivation in pots, in alpine troughs or in a cold greenhouse meets its requirements.

The Chilean blue crocus Leichtlinii has a reputation as a delicate plant, but with a little attention, it can become a true jewel in the garden or on a balcony. Not very hardy outside coastal areas, it is preferable to grow it in a pot that can be moved according to the seasons: buried in the ground with protection against moisture or placed on a covered terrace in a favourable climate, then kept dry and sheltered from intense heat or summer rains during the summer. This cultivation method allows precise control of its water and thermal needs. This variety can be combined with other early bulbs such as Iris reticulata or Corydalis solida, which share similar requirements and flower in harmony. You can also pair it with small bright yellow botanical crocuses like Crocus ancyrensis. This rare plant deserves a prime location, in full light, to offer a fleeting but unforgettable spectacle each year.