The Best Secret Spots to Find Crocuses in Saskatchewan

Whether you call them Pasque flowers, April Fools, or Ears of the Earth, now is the perfect time to hunt crocuses in Saskatchewan. Crocuses typically appear shortly after the snow melts, sometime around April 1st-21st. Blooms only last for two weeks, so the window to see them is short.

Where to Find Crocuses

The best places to find crocuses are places where the original prairie still exists. Along rivers, around abandoned railway tracks, or in Natural grasslands are your best bets. Here’s a few secret spots that some of my readers and fellow bloggers were willing to share:

Central Saskatchewan

Around Lake Diefenbaker near Beechy, SK

Meewasin Trails, Saskatoon, SK For the best luck, try the east side and access the road just outside of the Silverspring Neighbourhood.

Mt. Carmel Hill, near Humboldt, SK.

South Saskatchewan

East Block of the Grasslands National Park

Fields around the McCord, SK

Qu’appelle Valley, SK

Planting

Never transplant a crocus from the wild. Sure, it may last the first couple of years, but it will die out after 4 or 5 years and deplete the natural supply. You can collect wild crocus seeds in June or July. If you decide to collect them in the wild, please be responsible and leave more than enough seeds on each plant. You can also order seeds from Blazing Star Wild Seed Company, Prairie Originals or Prairie Flora

Crocuses are happiest in sandy soil and full sun. Plant them in the fall so you don’t have to worry about stratifying them in the spring. Do not plant in a single line, as crocuses do best in small groups. It may take up to three years to see blooms, but once you do, a single plant can live for 40-50 years.

Finding crocuses is a fun way to spend an afternoon outside with your family. I know we’ll be heading out soon to try and catch the last of the blooms!

This picture from a crocus finding expedition 2 years ago sums up everything about Dominic being 3. Thomas head-to-toe and clutching his beloved bear for dear life.

Readers, if you would like to share any other spots around Saskatchewan where you can find crocuses, please leave them in the comments or private message me. I’ll add them to the article as people share them with me.

Also, a quick shout out to Paul at Gardenzic for giving me the idea for this post!

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Comments

Candy

We find these beautiful flowers but we leave them to enjoy every year

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- Kristen Raney
  
  It's really the best way. Glad you're able to enjoy them out in your area.
  
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Jan

Kristen, gunny you should post this. I was just thinking about the crocuses probably being in bloom out in Manitoba where I grew up. They are actually Manitoba's Provincial flower. I never saw any growing naturally in Saskatchewan when I lived there so I'm glad to know they're found there, too. Here in southern Ontario? I've only seen them where they've been planted from nursery stock. But that would have been obvious to you anyway!

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Denise Robert

HI, my name is Denise Robert from Domremy Sask. My Mom and the five children of my family have always had a deep fondness of spring crocuses . This love of crocuses was awakened because of a loving gift our father would bring mom in the spring.... a handful of crocuses from the back hill . My father passed away at a vary young age and we had to move away from the farm. Spring crocuses have always been very special To mom, who joined our father many years ago. and to myself and my siblings. In the spring we looked for crocuses and occasionally brought mom handful of these beautiful little flowers. My youngest sister from Alberta passed away a month ago and her last wish was that her ashes be be laid on our dad's grave here in Saskatchewan during crocus time. The Saffron / tame crocus are offered in flower shops now but we need the flowers later in the spring. Could you be able to inform me where these bulbs can be found. Saffron flowers may be the closest thing we can one could purchase in this season.. I'd like to gift her children with a pot of these flowers. I will check flower shops but I'm trying all options. Thank you sincerely, Denise. .

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- Kristen Raney
  
  Hi Denise, That is such a beautiful and special tribute. In this case, you might have the best luck with some of the larger grocery store chains like Sobeys and Safeway in Saskatoon. My other thought is, it's such a cold winter this year, that possibly spring will be late and maybe someone with crocuses in their yard would let you dig them up and give them if you promise to buy them new bulbs to plant in the fall? I know that might be a stretch, but the bulbs have to be planted in the fall, so you won't find them for sale in the Spring. If all else fails, there is a Wildflower company in Saskatchewan that sells crocus seeds. You could purchase some of those and gift them with a packet of seeds. Best of luck!!
  
  Reply
Anita

Hi Kristen, the crocus flower/plant has always been my favorite since I was a child riding the bus. I lived on a farm near Montmartre, Sk and every spring I waited to spot the first crocus while the bus was driving to certain families who had a road through pasture to get to there home. I always buy a few plants whenever I see them being sold in stores like Safeway. Crocuses are my Easter plant because they are always sold around Easter time. I love reading/viewing your website. Anita

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- Kristen Raney
  
  Thank you so much! Crocuses are one of my favourite flowers too.
  
  Reply
Kathleen Reay

I haven't seen wild crocuses since I was in grade school. There was a patch on the side of a hill we would see from the school bus on our way home. I have since went to that patch however it is now ploughed under to make room for more crop land. I have walked numerous hills in the Ft. Quappelle Valley near Lumsden and Craven but was not fortunate to find any. I am asking if anyone can direct me to where I may find these beautiful wild spring flowers. Thank you and have a safe year.

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Connie Blenkinsop

Find but pick only 2 0r 3 at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park on the way to the buffalo yard With the fresh heavy snow and unusual I wonder when. I have found tem all my years in April someties peekiig through a light dust of of fresh snow. But this year??

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