When to plant crocuses in Annecy: 15 October – end of December

In Annecy, crocus: plant from 15 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Gamm Vert (garden centre, 14 km) and Fleur et jardin du Chéran (garden centre, 15 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Crocus in Annecy: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -1.6 °C.

Planting	15 October – end of December
First autumn frost	14 November
Coldest nights	January, -1.6 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	8 January
Daylight	11:00 on 15 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:39

The same dates in Annecy hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Hyacinth.

Crocus in Annecy: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant Dutch crocuses (Crocus vernus) about 12 cm deep and 9 cm apart; smaller species go 7–10 cm deep (RHS).

In Annecy the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 27 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 15–17 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Crocuses multiply on their own (they naturalise); in a lawn, hold off mowing until their leaves die back (RHS).

Birds, squirrels and rodents damage crocuses; planting under metal mesh may reduce losses (RHS). Spring crocus gives dogs and cats vomiting and diarrhoea; do not confuse it with autumn crocus (Colchicum), which is very toxic (Pet Poison Helpline).

Sources: RHS, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, Pet Poison Helpline.

Crocus in nearby cities

Around Annecy, Aosta is 65 days earlier and Lyon 11 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Geneva	32 km	18 October – end of December	3 days later
Grenoble	86 km	25 September – 1 December	20 days earlier
Aosta	94 km	11 August – 22 October	65 days earlier
Lyon	101 km	26 October – end of December	11 days later
Sion	101 km	19 September – 19 November	26 days earlier
Fribourg	126 km	7 October – 30 December	8 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Annecy

Planting stock goes into the ground from 15 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Annecy OpenStreetMap lists 14 garden centres, 4 farm-supply shops, 7 markets and 19 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Gamm Vert — garden centre
Mon–Sat 09:00–12:00, 14:00–18:30 · 14 km
Fleur et jardin du Chéran — garden centre
Rue des Pérouses 33 · 15 km
Gamm Vert — garden centre
Mon–Fri 09:00–12:00, 14:00–19:00; Sat 09:00–12:30, 14:00–19:00 · 15 km
Marché de Novel — market
Avenue de France · Thu 08:00–12:00 · 1 km
Marché d'Alby-sur-Chéran — market
Tue 16:30–19:00 · 13 km
Marché Place des Romains — market
Tue 07:00–17:00 · 1 km
Marché des Teppes — market
Sun 08:00–12:00 · 1 km
Marché de la vieille ville — market
Sun, Tue, Fri 07:00–13:00 · 1 km

Questions