Robust species, flowering in late autumn from low hills and woodlands bordering the Caspian Sea. Not difficult in a well-drained, loam-based compost, but something tender, so it can be grown here only in an alpine house. I once or twice lost it due to low temperatures but it so well set seeds, that always I successfully recovered my stocks from seedlings. The fragrant flowers are slightly variable from pure white (with a yellow throat) to a very soft pinkish-violet. The flowers of C. caspius are made in abundance starting from about November and flowering comes in two waves, with the flowers in the second wave being noticeably more lilac-tinted. Seed is usually set prolifically however the seed pods, unlike almost every other Crocus species, are held below ground even when they are fully ripe.