Crocuses may be short-lived, but oh, their timing is impeccable! Grass-like foliage appears first, then the blooms erupt just when we need that reassurance that spring is not far away. 'Striped Beauty' is one of the earlier ones to bloom, and its botanical name, Crocus vernus, in fact means spring crocus. Purple and white striped flowers stand about four to six inches tall, closing at night, and opening during the day. They tend to stay closed on rainy days, but show off when the sun shines. Crocuses naturalize well, and require little in the way of maintenance. They do best in well-draining soil, and will add spring surprises to borders, container planters, and hanging baskets.