It's not a crocus. Look for Sternbergia.

Thanks, bboy. Is it worth a try in our region? It's a lovely clear yellow colour and seems to naturalize well. It was along the banks of the Canal du Midi near the Med. As a further question, does "Lutea" mean yellow?

Saw a nice bunch in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle last(?) fall, in a sunny spot. Have also grown it myself, some time ago (don't remember having an idea why it died out, maybe just soil infertility - bulbs seem to need to be kept fed to persist and bulk up here).

Hi Dotty, yes, I do believe "Lutea" means yellow. Sound like you had a very enjoyable holiday.

A......

"deep yellow, golden-yellow, buttercup-yellow"

--Botanical Latin, William T. Stearn (D&C)

Hi Dotty, Did you go to any botanical gardens there? We were in S. France two years ago and I want to go back! Lots of lavender, cypress, and iris growing wild in dry baked banks, which must be quite a sight in the spring.

Hi Novita & Annette. Yes we had a super holiday, but unfortunately, no botanical gardens, except the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. We did our best with the wines and wonderful cheeses though...
Thanks bboy for the explanation for lutea.

Hi Dotty:

Fraser Thimble nursery on Saltspring Island sells them (Sternbergia lutea), I assume they will survive here.

Cheers,
MG

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Fraser Thimble

Saw the same Seattle planting blooming again today.