GREEN FOLIAGE

Autumn-Flowering Colchicum and Crocus

SAND, CHALK. Colch-icum cupanii-autumn SUN Sep-Dec	SAND, CHALK. Colch-icum luteum - autumn SUN Sep	SAND, CHALK. Crocus oreocr-eticus -autumn SUN, PART SHADE Oct-Nov	SAND, CHALK. Crocus pallasii -autumn SUN, PART SHADE Oct-Nov

SAND, CHALK. Crocus boryi-autumn SUN, PART SHADE Sep-Dec	SAND, CHALK. Crocus cambes-sedesii -autumn SUN, PART SHADE Sep-Dec	SAND, CHALK. Crocus cartwri-ghtianus 'Albus' -autumn Sun, part shade Oct-Dec	SAND, CHALK. Crocus goul-imyi -autumn SUN, PART SHADE Oct-Nov	SAND, CHALK. Crocus laevigat-us 'Font-enayi' -autumn Sun, part shade Dec	SAND, CHALK. Crocus niveus - autumn SUN AND PART SHADE Nov	SAND, CHALK. Crocus ochrol-eucus - autumn SUN AND PART SHADE Oct-Dec	SAND, CHALK. Crocus sativus -autumn SUN Oct-Nov
Winter-Flowering Colchicum and Crocus

Sand, ch-alk. Crocus ancy-rensis 'Golden Bunch' -winter Sun, part shade Dec-Jan	SAND, CHALK. Crocus chrysan-thus 'E.A. Bowles'-winter Sun, part shade Feb-Mar	Sand, ch-alk. Croc-us chrys-anthus 'Princess Beatrix' -winter Sun, part shade Feb-Mar	Sand, ch-alk. Croc-us chrys-anthus 'Satur-nus' -winter Sun, part shade Jan-Feb	Sand, ch-alk. Croc-us chrys-anthus 'Snow Bunting' -winter Sun, part shade Feb-Mar
Spring-Flowering Colchicum and Crocus

Sand, chalk. Crocus 'Flower Record' - spring Sun, part and full shade Feb-Apr	SAND, CHALK. Crocus vernus 'Joan of Arc' - spring Sun Mar-Apr
The Bear's Smallest Relative a very silly poem by Granny Artemis The rodent they call "capybara" Is actually not a real bear (duh). Bears don't, in the Spring, Stick Mapleseed wings On their noses, or use black mascara.
The 3 natural divisions of Colchicum are:- 1. Autumn-flowering species and hybrids 2. Winter- and Spring-flowering species and 3. Tessellated species, those marked with a crisscross pattern on the petals in colors of dark and light rosy mauve The 2 natural divisions of Crocus are:- 1. Autumn-flowering species and hybrids and 2. Winter- and Spring-flowering species and the relevant division is added to the Plant Description Page Title.
For herbaceous beds and shrubberies, the stronger-growing kinds of crocuses can be planted in large clumps and drifts. Soil should be removed to the depth of 6 inches (15 cms) and the corms laid on the bottom of the hole at the space of an inch (2.5 cms) from each other. It is customary to plant Crocuses as edgings to borders in rather formal lines or circles, but a charming effect is produced by planting some hundreds of one kind under deciduous shrubs, or at the back of borders between clumps of strong-growing herbaceous plants that do not cover the ground with their leaves earlier than the middle of May, and thus allowing time for the Crocus leaves to mature in an open space. The Dutch Yellow, in my opinion, never looks better than when planted in a generously planned drift, towards the back of a large border, or round the stem of a leafless Rhodendron molle, Deutzia, etc. All the florist's forms of Crocus vernus are suitable for this work, and Crocus tomasinianus once planted should be allowed to spread naturally by seed as far as it will under groups of roses or other summer-leafing shrubs. Crocus speciosus is the best of all the autumn-flowering Crocuses for wide plantings, and does not object to an occasional digging over of the bed and the consequent deep burial of the corms. Only the stronger growers should be tried in grass and none succeeds better than the forms of Crocus vernus and the Dutch Yellow. I have always advised that they should be kept separate, or at any rate the yellow planted only among white varieties; but a charming planting of irregular colonies, each of one kind, under some trees in a friend's garden taught me that if the yellow are planted in separate groups; instead of being scattered among the purples; they can be very effective. The quality of grass differs so greatly that my rather poor success with the many species I have tried in a rough meadow need not discourage others with a finer brand of turf. I used to give bundles of rogues and mixed seedlings to Mr. Wilks to plant in his wild garden at Shirley, and in his grass they flourished and spread most delightfully. The soil there is a fine sand, and he used to say of it that it was so light that if he threw it up in the air it would never come down again, and naturally the grass on it is scanty and fine. Where the turf is not coarse, and the ground well drained and open to sunshine, I advise planting Crocus tomasinianus, Crocus aureus, Crocus chrysanthus, Crocus sieberi, Crocus versicolor as well as Crocus vernus for spring, and Crocus kotschyanus, Crocus speciosus, Crocus nudiflorus and Crocus longiflorus for autumn." How to tell a Colchicum from a true Crocus? Colchicum has 6 stamens, 3 styles, and a superior ovary (that is, the flower cups the seed receptacle). Crocus has 3 stamens, one style divided into 3, and an inferior ovary (that is, the seed receptacle is below the flower). The following diagram shows the parts of the Crocus and Colchicum. The following year the corm uses the hole left when the Perianth Tube dies off to push up a new tube with its flowers and leaves. It is therefore better if you do not disturb the ground once you have planted these corms. This diagram from A Handbook of Crocus and Colchicum for Gardeners by E. A. Bowles Ma.A., F.L.S., F.r.E.S., V.M.H. published by The Garden Book Club, 121 Charing Cross Road, London WC2. in 1955. It has the following excerpt on Colchicums:- "The greater number of the handsome members of the genus Colchicum are easily grown, and the chief trouble in a garden arises from the amount of space required in spring and early summer for their coarse leaves. In autumn the rosy lilac, white or tessellated flowers can never be too numerous, come where they may; but in spring it is almost annoying to watch the unfolding of those great leaves. They expand enormously with the April showers, rise up rapidly on tall shoots and are then ready to fall outwards and sprawl over neater-growing plants; that we realise too late have been planted too near the Colchicums. They would make a good edging to beds of shrubs or tall herbaceous plants but for their aggravating habit of beginning to fade and collapse in the first warm days of June.... The dormant period of a Colchicum is short. The leaves fade after the ripening of the seed in June, and the corm matures soon after. Those that flower in autumn are ready in August to form new roots and push out flowers. Some species can flower satisfactorily at their natural season without being planted or supplied with any moisture. I have seen a gay show of flowering Colchicums in cottage windows in Cornwall provided by corms laid in a row on the ledge of the bay window. It is very unusual that a plant brings flowers to perfection while without active roots to supply moisture to the expanding cells. Colchicum byzantinum can bear 12-20 flowers in a long succession and without active roots. Gathered flowers of many species will last fresh for several days without being placed in water. As in the case of a Crocus the dry, resting state of a Colchicum is a corm, a solid underground stem, in which nutriment is stored. In many species, especially in Colchicum speciosum or Colchicum cilicicum, the corm is very large, 4 inches (10 cms) or more in length and about 2 inches (5 cms) in diameter in the widest part. One of these large corms will repay examination and explain the manner of growth. It is irregular in shape, one side being convex and the other flattened and prolonged downwards to form a curious foot-like projection, which is a characteristic feature of most species of Colchicum. If the tunic is removed, the large white corm is seen to have an upper projection, more pointed than the foot, at the top on the flattened side. A central groove runs down longitudinally on this side, widening towards the base just above the foot. The new bud for the coming season is formed in the hollow at the base of this groove. In a fully grown but unripened corm examined in mid-June this growth bud is very small and looks much like the tiny radicle seen between the two halves of a walnut or filbert kernel. It grows with astonishing rapidity as soon as the corm is ripened. The tunic when young is a white and fleshy membrane but becomes brown and leathery when mature. It is composed of the tubular lower portion of the first and outermost leaf and completely encloses the whole corm. It is produced upward above the solid corm into a long, tough, hollow tube, called the cap, which reaches to the surface of the soil and provides an open passage, even in stiff clay soil, through which the slender flower buds can push their way without injury. In a healthy Colchicum tunic there are only 2 orifices for the exit of its developing organs, 1 from the upper end of the cap, which is always open, the other at the base and side of the foot, closed at first, but easily pushed away by the force of the roots, all of which grow from a small definite area on the outer side of the base of the new shoot. When examined at flowering time, the tunic could be slit vertically where it covers the new shoot lying in the groove on the flat side of the corm. When the new shoot is exposed, it will be seen that it is only connected to the corm by a remarkably small area at the base, so small that it is hard to believe that, before the roots are developed, all the moisture and nutriment required for the rapid growth of the shoot and its flowers must pass from the storage in the corm through this very small point of attachment. Beginning from the base, it will be found that the new shoot consists of the following parts, a short sheath of about one-eighth of an inch (0.3 cms) long composed of a delicate white membrane, which soon disappears and so is called the ephemeral sheath. From within this arises a long tubular sheath often 4-5 inches (10-12.5 cms) in length, reaching to the surface of the soil through the passage provided by the previous year's cap. This sheath encloses all the blossoms and leaves which in turn emerge from its open end. The next organ inside this long sheath is the first and outermost leaf, the blade of which, at this stage of growth, is very little developed, but its tubular base plays a very important part in the life of the plant, as it will eventually form the tunic and cap of the next season's corm. Also in an axillary position at the base of this leaf, the minute dormant bud, which is the embryo to become the next season's shoot, is placed on the outer side of the axis away from the old corm. The tubular base of this first leaf also encloses the axis of growth from which arise the other leaves, and within their axils or on the summit of the axis arise the pedicels (pedicel is the stalk of a single flower) and ovaries (ovary is the immature seed vessel) of the flowers arranged spirally. The base of the axis is already enlarged into a globular portion which with further growth will form the new corm. On its upper portion, in the axil of the second leaf, there is often a second dormant embryo, which in a vigorous individual can develop into a flowering shoot on the upper part of the side of the new corm, and later will produce an offset that finally separates from the main corm. If the main axis bears more flowers than leaves the additional flowers are subtended by minute, colourless, triangular bracts. The axis terminates in a very small point above the insertion of the highest blossom. In a mature corm this small point has developed into a flattened prominence at the base of which is a slight pit, which was the summit of the axis and still contains the dark brown withered bases of the previous season's leaves and flowers. The prominence stands on the flat side of a corm, while on the opposite side of the pit there is a furrow a quarter of an inch wide in its upper part and narrowing until the sides meet lower down. It appears that this furrow is the result of the swelling outwards of 2 portions of the developing corm, and where they meet we may expect to find the secondary dormant bud mentioned above. Next spring the leaves develop and emerge above the soil, generally in the form of a rosette. As they do so the old corm shrinks and a new corm begins to develop by its side from the flowering axis of autumn. The remaining nutrment stored in the old corm is used in the development of the fruits and young leaves, until the latter are able to assist in gathering the store of food required for the new corm. The lower portion of the axis develops by downward growth to form the foot or spur. The corm is thus renewed laterally and always on the flattened side, but does not travel annually more than a fraction of an inch (2.5 cms), as the withering and disappearance of the old corm provides the needful space to be occupied by the young corm. Therefore an individual Colchicum occupies almost the same position in the soil for many seasons. An offset, on the contrary, formed on the convex surface pushes away in the opposite direction. The leaves differ greatly in form and size among the species and also as to the time of their appearance. In most autumn-flowering species such as Colchicum autumnale, Colchicum speciosum, Colchicum byzantinum and Colchicum agrippinum they do not appear before the following spring and are large and broad; in most of the winter or early spring flowering species they are narrowly linear and accompany the flowers. Colchicum kesselringii and Colchicum szovitzii have the narrowest and Colchicum byzantinum and Colchicum macrophyllum have the longest, a foot (12 inches, 30 cms) long and 6 or more inches (15 or more cms) in width. In most species they are glabrous (glabrous is without hairs), in others pubescent (pubescent is shortly and softly hairy) or ciliated (ciliate is with regularly arranged hairs projecting from the margin) on the margins. As the leaves mature in the end of May the large seed capsules are revealed in the cup formed by the bases of the 2 or 3 innermost leaves. The seed vessel is formed of 3 distinct carpels, free in their upper half but generally united below. When ripe they open at the summit and the round, thick-coated seeds escape. From the observations of Professor Rolf Nordhagen,..... it seems probable that the seeds of Colchicum are distributed by ants. He found that those of Colchicum autumnale and Colchicum speciosum are covered when ripe with a sugary layer which is attractive to ants, and he watched ants remove 23 seeds from a capsule of Colchicum speciosum in 12 minutes. Apparently ants consume the edible outer coat, but are deterred by the presence of colchicine from damaging the embryo and cotyledon. The large-flowered species that blossom early in autumn are easily grown, and so are a few of the spring-flowering forms. Those that blossom in mid-winter, like Colchicum variegatum, are not easily kept in health, and some beautiful spring-flowering kinds are difficult to keep alive in the open. Colchicum speciosum and its varieties are among the handsomest of bulbous plants and should be in every garden where room can be spared for the leaves in spring. A rich, deep and rather moist soil suits most of the species best, but they will thrive in well-drained slopes of the rock garden also. Colchicum autumnale, Colchicum byzantinum, Colchicum agrippinum, Colchicum laetum and Colchicum speciosum will grow in grass, but in view of their poisonous nature it is not wise to plant them where cattle graze, and the seed-pods and leaves should be gathered out if the grass is to be used for hay. However, after making many enquiries I have been unable to learn of a definite case of cattle poisoning by Colchicum, and it seems probable that beasts avoid eating it just as they shun buttercups. When planted in grass increase is slow, and as with Crocuses, if it is desired to obtain a stock, the roots should be planted in well-tilled ground and divided every second year. In a wild state, the corms of most of the species are found at a great depth, but in garden ground they do best with the cap of the tunic reaching the surface."

Ivydene Gardens Colchicum and Crocus Corm Gallery: Green Foliage
Bulb Height from Text Border	Blue = 0-24 inches (0-60 cms)	Green=24-72 inches (60-180 cms)	Red = 72+ inches (180+ cms)
Bulb Soil Moisture from Text Background	Wet Soil	Moist Soil	Dry Soil
Flowering months range abreviates month to its first 3 letters (Apr-Jun is April, May and June). Click on thumbnail to change this comparison page to the Plant Description Page of the Bulb named in the Text box below that photo. The Comments Row of that Plant Description Page links to where you personally can purchase that bulb via mail-order.

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......A-F, G-L, M-R,
......S-Z
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......A-F, G-L, M-R,
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......A-F, G-L, M-R,
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Tool Shed
Useful Data

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Topic - Plant Photo Galleries
Aquatic
Bamboo
Bedding
...by Flower Shape

...Hippeastrum/ Lily
...Late Summer
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...Each of the above ...Bulb Galleries has its own set of Flower Colour Pages
...Flower Shape
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Further details on bulbs from the Infill Galleries:-
Hardy Bulbs
...Aconitum
...Allium
...Alstroemeria
...Anemone
...Amaryllis
...Anthericum
...Antholyzas
...Apios
...Arisaema
...Arum
...Asphodeline
...Asphodelus
...Belamcanda
...Bloomeria
...Brodiaea
...Bulbocodium
...Calochorti
...Cyclobothrias
...Camassia
...Colchicum
...Convallaria  ...Forcing Lily of the Valley
...Corydalis
...Crinum
...Crosmia
...Montbretia
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...Cyclamen
...Dicentra
...Dierama
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Half-Hardy Bulbs
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...Ornithogalums
...Oxalises
...Phaedra-nassas
...Pancratiums
...Tigridias
...Zephyranthes
...Cooperias

Uses of Bulbs:-
...for Bedding
...in Windowboxes
...in Border
...naturalized in Grass
...in Bulb Frame
...in Woodland Garden
...in Rock Garden
...in Bowls
...in Alpine House
...Bulbs in Greenhouse or Stove:-
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...Arisaemas
...Arums
...Begonias
...Bomareas
...Caladiums
...Clivias
...Colocasias
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...Cyclamens
...Cyrtanthuses
...Eucharises
...Urceocharis
...Eurycles
...Freesias
...Gloxinias
...Haemanthus
...Hippeastrums
...Lachenalias
...Nerines
...Lycorises
...Pencratiums
...Hymenocallises
...Richardias
...Sprekelias
...Tuberoses
...Vallotas
...Watsonias
...Zephyranthes
...Plant Bedding in
......Spring
......Summer
...Bulb houseplants flowering inside House during:-
......January
......February
......March
......April
......May
......June
......July
......August
......September
......October
......November
......December
...Bulbs and other types of plant flowering during:-
......Dec-Jan
......Feb-Mar
......Apr-May
......Jun-Aug
......Sep-Oct
......Nov-Dec
...Selection of the smaller and choicer plants for the Smallest of Gardens with plant flowering during the same 6 periods as in the previous selection

Climber
...Clematis
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Conifer
Deciduous Shrub
...Shrubs - Decid
Deciduous Tree
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Evergreen Perennial
...P-Evergreen A-L
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Evergreen Shrub
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Evergreen Tree
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Fern
Grass
Hedging
Herbaceous Perennial
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...RHS Wisley
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Herb
Odds and Sods
Rhododendron
Rose
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...Rose Use
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Soft Fruit
Top Fruit
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Vegetable

Wild Flower
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flower colour page,
space,
Site Map page in its flower colour
NOTE Gallery
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...Yellow A-G Note
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...Shrub/Tree Note
Poisonous
Wildflower Plants

............

Topic - Flower/Foliage Colour
Colour Wheel Galleries
Following your choice using Garden Style then that changes your Plant Selection Process
Garden Style
...Infill Plants
...12 Bloom Colours per Month Index
...12 Foliage Colours per Month Index
...All Plants Index
...Cultivation, Position, Use Index
...Shape, Form
Index

or
you could use these Flower Colour Wheels with number of colours
All Flowers 53
All Flowers per Month 12
with its
Explanation of
Structure of this Website with
...User Guidelines
All Bee-Pollinated Flowers per Month 12
...Index
Rock Garden and Alpine Flower Colour Wheel with number of colours
Rock Plant Flowers 53
...Rock Plant Photos

or
these Foliage Colour Wheels structures, which I have done but until I can take the photos and I am certain of the plant label's validity, these may not progress much further
All Foliage 212
All Spring Foliage 212
All Summer Foliage 212
All Autumn Foliage 212
All Winter Foliage 212

or
Flower Colour Wheel without photos, but with links to photos
12 Bloom Colours per Month Index
...All Plants Index

............

Topic - Wildlife on Plant Photo Gallery
Butterfly
Usage of Plants
by Egg, Caterpillar, Chrysalis and Butterfly

Egg, Caterpillar, Chrysalis and Butterfly usage of
Plant A-C
Plant C-M
Plant N-W
Butterfly usage of Plant

followed by all the Wild Flower Family Pages:-

WILD FLOWER FAMILY
PAGE MENU 1

(o)Adder's Tongue
Amaranth
(o)Arrow-Grass
(o)Arum
(o)Balsam
Bamboo
(o)Barberry
(o)Bedstraw
(o)Beech
(o)Bellflower
(o)Bindweed
(o)Birch
(o)Birds-Nest
(o)Birthwort
(o)Bogbean
(o)Bog Myrtle
(o)Borage
(o)Box
(o)Broomrape
(o)Buckthorn
(o)Buddleia
(o)Bur-reed
(o)Buttercup
(o)Butterwort
(o)Cornel (Dogwood)
(o)Crowberry
(o)Crucifer (Cabbage/Mustard) 1
(o)Crucifer (Cabbage/Mustard) 2
Cypress
(o)Daffodil
(o)Daisy
(o)Daisy Cudweeds
(o)Daisy Chamomiles
(o)Daisy Thistle
(o)Daisy Catsears (o)Daisy Hawkweeds
(o)Daisy Hawksbeards
(o)Daphne
(o)Diapensia
(o)Dock Bistorts
(o)Dock Sorrels

WILD FLOWER FAMILY
PAGE MENU 2

(o)Clubmoss
(o)Duckweed
(o)Eel-Grass
(o)Elm
(o)Filmy Fern
(o)Horsetail
(o)Polypody
Quillwort
(o)Royal Fern
(o)Figwort - Mulleins
(o)Figwort - Speedwells
(o)Flax
(o)Flowering-Rush
(o)Frog-bit
(o)Fumitory
(o)Gentian
(o)Geranium
(o)Glassworts
(o)Gooseberry
(o)Goosefoot
(o)Grass 1
(o)Grass 2
(o)Grass 3
(o)Grass Soft Bromes 1
(o)Grass Soft Bromes 2
(o)Grass Soft Bromes 3 (o)Hazel
(o)Heath
(o)Hemp
(o)Herb-Paris
(o)Holly
(o)Honeysuckle
(o)Horned-Pondweed
(o)Hornwort
(o)Iris
(o)Ivy
(o)Jacobs Ladder
(o)Lily
(o)Lily Garlic
(o)Lime
(o)Lobelia
(o)Loosestrife
(o)Mallow
(o)Maple
(o)Mares-tail
(o)Marsh Pennywort
(o)Melon (Gourd/Cucumber)

WILD FLOWER FAMILY
PAGE MENU 3

(o)Mesem-bryanthemum
(o)Mignonette
(o)Milkwort
(o)Mistletoe
(o)Moschatel
Naiad
(o)Nettle
(o)Nightshade
(o)Oleaster
(o)Olive
(o)Orchid 1
(o)Orchid 2
(o)Orchid 3
(o)Orchid 4
(o)Parnassus-Grass
(o)Peaflower
(o)Peaflower Clover 1
(o)Peaflower Clover 2
(o)Peaflower Clover 3
(o)Peaflower Vetches/Peas
Peony
(o)Periwinkle
Pillwort
Pine
(o)Pink 1
(o)Pink 2
Pipewort
(o)Pitcher-Plant
(o)Plantain
(o)Pondweed
(o)Poppy
(o)Primrose
(o)Purslane
Rannock Rush
(o)Reedmace
(o)Rockrose
(o)Rose 1
(o)Rose 2
(o)Rose 3
(o)Rose 4
(o)Rush
(o)Rush Woodrushes
(o)Saint Johns Wort
Saltmarsh Grasses
(o)Sandalwood
(o)Saxifrage

WILD FLOWER FAMILY
PAGE MENU 4

Seaheath
(o)Sea Lavender
(o)Sedge Rush-like
(o)Sedges Carex 1
(o)Sedges Carex 2
(o)Sedges Carex 3
(o)Sedges Carex 4
(o)Spindle-Tree
(o)Spurge
(o)Stonecrop
(o)Sundew
(o)Tamarisk
Tassel Pondweed
(o)Teasel
(o)Thyme 1
(o)Thyme 2
(o)Umbellifer 1
(o)Umbellifer 2
(o)Valerian
(o)Verbena
(o)Violet
(o)Water Fern
(o)Waterlily
(o)Water Milfoil
(o)Water Plantain
(o)Water Starwort
Waterwort
(o)Willow
(o)Willow-Herb
(o)Wintergreen
(o)Wood-Sorrel
(o)Yam
(o)Yew

It is worth remembering that especially with roses that the colour of the petals of the flower may change - The following photos are of Rosa 'Lincolnshire Poacher' which I took on the same day in R.V. Roger's Nursery Field:-

rosalincolnshirepoacherflot91a1a1a1a1

Closed Bud

rosalincolnshirepoacherflot92a1a1a1a1

Opening Bud

rosalincolnshirepoacherflot93a1a1a1a1

Juvenile Flower

rosalincolnshirepoacherflot94a1a1a1a1

Older Juvenile Flower

rosalincolnshirepoacherflot95a1a1a1a1

Middle-aged Flower - Flower Colour in Season in its
Rose Description Page is
"Buff Yellow, with a very slight pink tint at the edges in May-October."

rosalincolnshirepoacherflot96a1a1a1a1

Mature Flower

rosalincolnshirepoacherflot97a1a1a1a1

Juvenile Flower and Dying Flower

rosalincolnshirepoacherflot98a1a1a1a1

Form of Rose Bush

There are 720 roses in the Rose Galleries; many of which have the above series of pictures in their respective Rose Description Page.

So one might avoid the disappointment that the 2 elephants had when their trunks were entwined instead of them each carrying their trunk using their own trunk, and your disappointment of buying a rose to discover that the colour you bought it for is only the case when it has its juvenile flowers; if you look at all the photos of the roses in the respective Rose Description Page!!!!

Links to external sites were valid when I inserted them but they may no longer connect since either the page has been removed or that website is no longer active, so you will have to use your search engine to find either the plant or data yourself

COLCHICUM AND CROCUS CORM GALLERY PAGES
Site Map of pages with content (o)

Introduction

FLOWER COLOUR
(o)Bicolour
(o)Blue
(o)Pink
(o)Purple
Red
(o)Unusual Colours
(o)White
(o)Yellow

FOLIAGE COLOUR
(o)Green
Other Colour

FORM
(o)Stemless

SEED COLOUR
Seed

BED PICTURES
(o)Garden

Website Structure Explanation and User Guidelines

7 Flower Colours per Month in Colour Wheel below in BULB, CORM, RHIZOME and TUBER GALLERY.

Click on Black or White box in Colour of Month.

BULB, CORM, RHIZOME AND TUBER INDEX - There are over 700 bulbs in the bulb galleries. The respective flower thumbnail, months of flowering, height and width, foliage thumbnail, form thumbnail use and comments are in the relevant index page below:-
(o): A
(o): B
(o): C
(o): D
(o): E
(o): F
(o): G
(o): H
(o): I
....: J
....: K
(o): L
(o): M
(o): N
(o): O
(o): P
....: Q
....: R
(o): S
(o): T
....: U
(o): V
....: W
(o): XYZ

colormonthbulb9a1a1

Besides the above Bulb Flower Colour Comparison Pages, you also have the following Comparison Pages:-
...Bulb Flower Shape -
7 pages of Number of Petals
...... 5 petals,

23 pages of Flower Shape
......... Stars and

7 pages of Natural Arrangements
...... Drumstick

...Bulb Form -
7 pages of Bulb Form
...Clump-forming

...Bulb Use -
33 pages of Bulb Use
...Mass Planting,
Groundcover,
Grow in Patio Pot and
Use in Coastal Conditions

...Bulb Preferred Soil
5 pages of Soil preferred by Bulb
...Chalk

Colchicum and Crocus INDEX link to Corm Description Page

Flower Colour with Link to Flower Colour Com-parison Page

Flower Thumb-nail

Flowering
Months

Height x Width in inches (cms) -
1 inch = 2.5 cms,
12 inches = 1 foot,
36 inches = 3 feet = 1 yard,
40 inches = 100 cms

Comments

The first 7 photos on Crocus ligusticus Bulb Descrip-tion show the transition of the Flower Bud through to the completed flower

COLCHICUM

How to tell a Colchicum from a true Crocus?

Colchicum has 6 stamens, 3 styles, and a superior ovary (that is, the flower cups the seed receptacle).
Crocus has 3 stamens, one style divided into 3, and an inferior ovary (that is, the seed receptacle is below the flower).

Form Thumbnail

Autumn-flowering Colchicums

Bulb Use

acolchicumifor91autumnalewikimediacommons

Colchicum autumnale

Lavender-Pink

colchicumcfloautumnalervroger1a1

August, September

4-6 x 10 (10-15 x 25)

When planting, take care that the bulbs are set in an area where their foliage will not cover other plants; like along shrub borders to bring colour at unusual times of the year.

acolchicumiflo91autumnalealboplenumrvroger

Colchicum autumnale 'Alboplenum'

Double White

colchicumcfloautumnalealboplenumrvroger1a

August, September

4-6 x 10 (10-15 x 25)

Like all doubles, it is too fragile to withstand heavy rain. Flowers are produced in the autumn followed by fleshy winter foliage emerging from a rosette, that dies down in early summer before its dry dormancy.

acolchicumiflos91autumnalealbumrvroger

Colchicum autumnale
'Album'

Single White

colchicumcfloautumnalealbumrvroger1a

August, September

4-6 x 10 (10-15 x 25)

Blooms produced before the foliage. Leaves about 10 inches (25 cms) long and 1 inch (2.5 cms) wide are produced in the Autumn. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and August-October for the foliage and flowers.

acolchicumifor9autumnalemajorgeetee

Colchicum autumnale
'Major'

Rose-Lilac

colchicumcfloautumnalemajorgeetee1a

September

6-8 x 10 (15-20 x 25)

This bulb is "like the crocuses, the flowers come naked, but the leaves shoot up in the spring...and when they start to ripen and die off in late spring, they turn various nasty shades of yellow and appear to be in agony. This does not bother me, since my thyme and rue more or less ameliorate, or at least obscure, these goings on, but plant colchicums where the ripening foliage does not bother you.... Where the colchicum leaves die down, the earth retains a sort of funnel shape - a hole where the sheaf of leaves used to be. It struck me that water might collect in such a place, but no, these hollow channels are said to make it easy for the flowers to emerge in September, so perhaps we should not worry."

acolchicumifor9autumnalenancylindsayrvroger

Colchicum autumnale
'Nancy Lindsay'

Pink-Mauve

colchicumcfloautumnalenancylindsayrvroger1a

September, October

6-8 x 10 (15-20 x 25)

Nancy Lindsay had a small nursery near Hidcote Manor after World War II. Award of Garden Merit from RHS in 1997.

acolchicumifor9autumnalepleniflorumwikimediacommons

Colchicum autumnale 'Pleniflorum'

Lilac-Pink

colchicumcfloautumnalepleniflorumrvroger1a

November, December

4-6 x 10 (10-15 x 25)

Looks quite exotic but is actually easy to grow and very reliable.

acolchicumiflos9autumnheraldrvroger

Colchicum
'Autumn Herald'

Wine-Purple with
White eye

colchicumcfloautumnheraldrvroger1a1

August, September

4-6 x 10 (10-15 x 25)

5-10 Green leaves about 10 inches (25 cms) long and 1 inch (2.5 cms) wide are produced in the Autumn. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and August-October for the foliage and flowers.

colchicumifor91baytopiorumgarnonswilliams

Colchicum baytopiorum

Pinkish-Purple with
Yellow anthers

colchicumcflobaytopiorumrvroger1a1

October

2 x 10
(5 x 25)

It is ideal for pot culture and if unprotected, its leaves are likely to be damaged by frost. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and August-November for the foliage and flowers.

acolchicumiflos91boissierirvroger

Colchicum boissieri

Pinkish-Lilac with
Yellow anthers

colchicumcfloboissierirvroger1a

September, October, November, December

8 x 10
(20 x 25)

Plant 5 inches (13 cms) deep in average well-drained, moisture-retentive soil - 6 inches (15 cms) deep in sandy soil - and 4 inches (10 cms) apart in July; in areas of full sun.

acolchicumifor9byzantinumwikimediacommons

Colchicum byzantinum

Pale Lilac or Bright Mauve with White Centre

colchicumcflobyzantinumrvroger1a1

September

5 x 16
(13 x 40)

A hugely popular species. Bears up to 20 pale lilac flowers, beginning funnel shaped and becoming more open with age. The petals are up to 5cm (2”) long. A very reliable early flowering variety.

acolchicumifor91cilicicumwikimediacommons

Colchicum cilicium

Purplish-Pink

colchicumcflociliciumrvroger1a

September

4 x 16
(10 x 40)

5-6 Dark Green leaves over 12 inches (30 cms) long and up to 4 inches wide are produced after the flowers have passed. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and September-October for the flowers and foliage.

acolchicumifor9ciliciumpurpureumrvroger

Colchicum cilicium
'Purpureum'

Red-Purple

colchicumcflociliciumpurpureumrvroger1a

September

4 x 16
(10 x 40)

acolchicumifor9cupaniigarnonswilliams

Colchicum cupanii

Rosy-Lilac with Purplish-Black anthers

colchicumpflocupaniigarnonswilliams1a

September, October, November, December

3 x 16
(8 x 40)

A smaller-flowered species, with unusually for a colchicum, the leaves visible at flowering time.

acolchicumifor9dicktrotterwikimediacommons

Colchicum
'Dick Trotter'

Violet-Pink with
White-star Centre

colchicumcflodicktrotterrvroger1a1a

September

6-8 x 10 (15-20 x 25)

This superb mid-season hybrid has distinctive rose-pink rounded flowers with a white eye.

acolchicumifor9disraeliwikimediacommons

Colchicum 'Disraeli'

Magenta chequered with White Centre

colchicumcflodisraelirvroger1a

September

6-8 x 10 (15-20 x 25)

Plant 5 inches (13 cms) deep in average well-drained, moisture-retentive soil - 6 inches (15 cms) deep in sandy soil - and 4 inches (10 cms) apart in July.

acolchicumifor9giganteumrvroger

Colchicum giganteum

Soft Purple

colchicumcflogiganteumrvroger1a

October, November

10-12 x 10 (25-30 x 25)

Flowers before the leaves are produced. Robust and easy to grow, this will naturalise well.

acolchicumifor9graciarvroger

Colchicum 'Gracia'

Light Violet-Purple with
White Base

colchicumcflograciarvroger1a

October, November

10-12 x 10 (25-30 x 25)

It flowers before the leaves are produced.

acolchicumiflos91graecumrvroger

Colchicum graecum

Rose-Pink and
darker Pink

colchicumcflograecumrvroger1a

August

10-12 x 10 (25-30 x 25)

This bulb is flowering in August. This is a wonderful species with light pink petals which are quite long and separated, giving a star-like effect. Best grown in a pot or raised alpine bed.

colchicumifor9harlekijnrvroger

Colchicum 'Harlekijn'

Creamy-White with
Purple Blotches

colchicumcfloharlekijnrvroger1a1a

September

10-12 x 10 (25-30 x 25)

A very distinctive hybrid, producing in September intricate twisting creamy white flowers with irregular purple blotches

acolchicumifor9jochemhofrvroger

Colchicum
'Jochem Hof'

Royal Purple with
White Throat

colchicumcflojochemhofrvroger1a

September, October

10-12 x 10 (25-30 x 25)

It flowers before the leaves are produced. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and September-November for the foliage and flowers.

acolchicumifor9laetumwikimediacommons

Colchicum laetum

Rose-Lilac

colchicumcflolaetumrvroger1a

September

2-3 x 10 (5-8 x 25)

Its flowers are produced before the leaves. Free-flowering and easy to grow in sun or partial shade.

acolchicumpfor91lilacbedderrvroger

Colchicum
'Lilac Bedder'

Light Violet-Purple with
White Throat

colchicumcflolilacbedderrvroger1a

September

8 x 10
(20 x 25)

Its flowers are produced efore the eaves. Very reliable and will mulitply.

acolchicumiflo91lilacwonderrvroger

Colchicum
'Lilac Wonder'

Deep Lilac-Pink

colchicumcflolilacwonderrvroger1a

September

6 x 10
(15 x 25)

A prolific flowering variety with very pretty deep lilac-pink flowers. Easy to grow and makes a superb show.

acolchicumifor91luteumwikimediacommons

Colchicum luteum

Yellow

colchicumcfloluteumrvroger1a

September

3-4 x 10 (8-10 x 25)

This bulb is an extremely scarce species - this is the only known colchicum with yellow flowers. Blooms are small, but of a rich golden yellow.

acolchicumiflos91parlatorisrvroger

Colchicum parlatoris

Pink-Lilac

colchicumcfloparlatorisrvroger1a

September

2 x 7
(5 x 18)

11 slim Green leaves are produced in September when the flowers are at their zenith. They continue to grow through the winter to reach 6 inches long by late spring. Some bulbs have the trick of forming their new bulbs deeper and deeper year after year. This article (it is a fair way down the blog) on 'Droppers' explains this with photos.

acolchicumifor91poseidonrvroger

Colchicum 'Poseidon'

Violet-Mauve

colchicumcfloposeidonrvroger1a

September

8-10 x 10 (20-25 x 25)

Poseidon is the Greek God of the sea. A reliable choice for the border. Flowers are then produced in the autumn and winter from naked ground followed by fleshy winter foliage emerging from a rosette, that dies down in early summer before its dry dormancy.

acolchicumifor91rosydawnrvroger

Colchicum
'Rosy Dawn'

Pinkish-Violet with
White Centre

colchicumcflorosydawnrvroger1a

September

6 x 10
(15 x 25)

The flowers are fragrant and produced before the leaves. A lovely variety that is well worth growing if you are looking for something that bit special.

acolchicumifor92speciosumwikimediacommons

Colchicum speciosum

Pale to Deep Pink with White Throat

colchicumcflospeciosumrvroger1a

September, October

7 x 10
(18 x 25)

A lovely species with up to 3 pale to deep pink flowers, often with white throats. They have distinct yellow anthers. This is not as bold as some varieties but more subtle and as such just as worthwhile.

acolchicumiflos91speciosumalbumkevock

Colchicum speciosum
'Album'

White

colchicumcflospeciosumalbumrvroger1a

October

4 x 10
(10 x 25)

Pure white flowers, and these are quite thick in texture, making them particularly weather resistant. They take some time to establish but are well worth the wait as they produce a superb display.

acolchicumiflo91speciosumbornmeullerirvroger

Colchicum speciosum bornmeulleri

Pale to Dark Pink with White throat

colchicumcflospeciosumbornmeullerirvroger1a1

October

4 x 10
(10 x 25)

Green quite narrow leaves are produced in the Spring. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and foliage, and October for the flowers.

acolchicumifor91speciosumordurvroger

Colchicum speciosum
'Ordu'

Amethyst-Violet with
White Centre

colchicumcflospeciosumordurvroger1a

September

8 x 10
(20 x 25)

This bulb is the hardiest Colchicum speciosum cultivar, named after the Turkish district whence it came. Bright flowers appear in early September, followed by shiny foliage in spring. Recommended.

acolchicumifor91tenoreikevock

Colchicum tenorei

Light to Dark Purple

colchicumcflotenoreirvroger1a

September

8 x 10
(20 x 25)

Blooms which vary in colour from light to dark purple. Requires a moist soil in spring but a dry dormancy in the summer. Plant 5 inches (13 cms) deep in average well-drained, moisture-retentive soil - 6 inches (15 cms) deep in sandy soil - and 4 inches (10 cms) apart in July. When planting, take care that the bulbs are set in an area where their foliage will not cover other plants; like along shrub borders to bring colour at unusual times of the year.

acolchicumiflos91thegiantrvroger

Colchicum
'The Giant'

Purplish-Violet with
White Base

colchicumcflothegiantrvroger1a

September

8 x 10
(20 x 25)

A robust, large flowered variety with up to 5 unusual flowers. Each flower has a white base to it. It is quite tall growing, getting to 20cm (8”) in height.

acolchicumiflo91violetqueenrvroger

Colchicum
'Violet Queen'

Bluish-Lilac with
White Throat

colchicumcflovioletqueenrvroger1a1

September

3.5 x 2
(9 x 5)

Plant at the edges of paths, drives and small beds towards the front of borders. Plant under turf on sandy or chalk soil.

acolchicumiflo91waterlilyrvroger

Colchicum
'Water Lily'

Pinkish-Lilac

colchicumcforwaterlilyrvroger

September, October

5 x 10
(13 x 25)

Bears up to 5 double, pinkish-lilac flowers. The name really does this plant justice as that is exactly what the flowers look like. Due to the size and weight of the flowers they are best grown among other plants where they will get some support. Definitely one to try.

Colchicum
'William Dykes'

Soft Lilac with
Greenish-White Centre

colchicumcflowilliamdykesrvroger1a

September

5 x 10
(13 x 25)

Soft Lilac with star-shaped Greenish-White Centre in September before the leaves are produced in the spring

Tessellated-flowering Colchicums:-
Tessellated species, those marked with a crisscross pattern on the petals in colors of dark and light rosy mauve

Colchicum agrippinum

Pale Lilac with Lilac-Purple tessell-ation

colchicumcfloagrippinumrvroger1a

September, October

5-8 x 6 (13-20 x 15)

Narrow Green foliage is produced in the Spring. Continue watering as long as foliage remains green, withold water when foliage starts to die back, usually in July. Sometimes the foliage will be produced following the flowers and will remain growing until July.

Colchicum
'Autumn Queen'

Pink with White Throat and Purple tessell-ation

colchicumcfloautumnqueenrvroger1a

August, September

6 x 10
(15 x 25)

Colchicum - photos taken by Arnold Trachtenberg - are grown in his New Jersey garden, planted in garden soil augmented with 50% grit.

Colchicum bivonae
'Apollo'

Lilac with White Centre
and Purplish-Violet
tessell-ation

colchicumcflobivonaeapollorvroger1a1

October, November

8 x 15
(20 x 38)

Colchicum bivonae is a parent of many of the large-flowered Colchicum hybrids, often in crosses with Colchicum speciosum. It contributes the tessellation (check-ering) to these hybrids.

Colchicum bivonae
'Glory of Heemstede'

Purplish-Violet
tessell-ation

colchicumcflobivonaegloryofheemstedervroger1a

October, November

7 x 15
(18 x 38)

Heemstede is a town around which, for a long time, many of the best growers in the Netherlands congregated. The flowers are fragrant, quite strongly tessellated and are produced before the leaves. It is a strong growing variety.

Colchicum bivonae
'Vesta'

Light Violet with
Purplish-Violet
tessell-ation

colchicumcflobivonaevestarvroger1a1

October, November

8 x 15
(20 x 38)

Light Violet and tessellated with Purplish-Violet in October-November before the leaves are produced.
Highly scented.

Colchicum
macrophyllum

Pale Lilac with White
tessell-ation

colchicumcflomacrophyllumrvroger1a1a

September, October,
November

2-3 x 15 (5-8 x 38)

A very early-flowering species, with large pale lilac flowers heavily tessellated with white. Native to Crete and parts of Greece, so needs a very warm and well-drained position, or else grow in pots.

Colchicum sfikasianum

Purple-Pink with
White tessell-ation

colchicumcflosfikasianumrvroger1a

September

5 x 15
(13 x 38)

Deep Purple-Pink and tessellated with White blooms are produced in September before the leaves.

Colchicum sibthorpii

Rosy-Lilac with
Purplish-Violet
tessell-ation

colchicumcflosibthorpiirvroger1a

September, October,
November

10 x 15
(20 x 38)

Wonderful chequered lilac blooms are produced before the leaves.

Winter-flowering Colchicums

Colchicum crocifolium

White

colchicumcflocrocifoliumrvroger1a

January, February

3-4 x 8 (8-10 x 20)

Plant 5 inches (13 cms) deep in average well-drained, moisture-retentive soil - 6 inches (15 cms) deep in sandy soil - and 8 inches (20 cms) apart in July. When planting, take care that the bulbs are set in an area where their foliage will not cover other plants; like along shrub borders to bring colour at unusual times of the year.

Colchicum kesselringii

White with Purple/Brown Striping

colchicumcflokesselringiirvroger1a1a

January, February

3-4 x 8 (8-10 x 20)

Colchicum hungaricum albiflorum

White with Dark
Purple Anthers

colchicumcflohungaricumalbiflorumrvroger1a

January, February

8 x 8
(20 x 20)

2 Dark Green leaves become 6 inches long and up to 0.5 inches wide at maturity and they are produced at the same time as the flowers. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and January-March for the flowers and foliage.

Colchicum szovitisii
'Tivi'

White with
Orange Pollen

colchicumcfloszovitisitivirvroger1a

January, February

2-3 x 8
(5-8 x 20)

This bulb requires a moist soil in spring but a dry dormancy in the summer. Dark Green leaves are produced after the flowers have reached their zenith. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and January-March for the flowers and foliage.

Colchicum szovitisii
'White Forms

White

colchicumcfloszovitisiiwhiteformsrvroger1a

January, February

2-3 x 8
(5-8 x 20)

Dark Green leaves are produced after the flowers have started blooming. This bulb requires a moist soil in spring but a dry dormancy in the summer.

Winter- and Spring-Flowering Colchicums

Colchicum hungaricum

White with Pale Lilac central Stripes

colchicumcflohungaricumrvroger1a1a

December, January,
February, March, April

3-4 x 8 (8-10 x 20)

2 Dark Green leaves become 6 inches long and up to 0.5 inches wide at maturity and they are produced at the same time as the flowers. Moisture required December-April for the flowers and foliage.

CROCUS

Autumn-flowering Crocus

Crocus banaticus

Lilac to Purple

crocuscflobanaticusrvroger1a1a

September, October

3-4 x 15 (8-10 x 38)

One of the most unusual flowered of all Crocus. It is slow to increase but is definitely worth any effort it takes to grow this one.

Crocus asturicus var. atripurpureus

Light and Dark Violet

crocuspforasturicusgarnonswilliams1a1

September, October, November, December

3-4 x 10 (8-10 x 25)

Plant at the edges of paths, drives and small beds towards the front of borders. 7 Green leaves, 3-4 inches long, are produced at flowering time; elongating afterward and then can be cut off in April.

Crocus asumaniae

White to Pale Lilac

crocuscfloasumaniaervroger1a

October, November

3-4 x 10 (8-10 x 25)

Green leaves are produced at flowering time; and then can be cut off in April. A very rare species from Turkey, with goblet shaped white to pale lilac flowers with eye-catching large red stigma.

Crocus boryi

Creamy-White

crocuscfloboryirvroger1a

September, October, November, December

3-4 x 15 (8-10 x 38)

The thin u-shaped 4 inch Dark Green leaves are produced with the flowers. This bulb is from Greece, so this species needs the shelter of a greenhouse, but produces exquisite white flowers flushed with a pale sulphur tint. The stigmata are an eye-catching bright scarlet.

Crocus cambessedesii

White to Deep Lilac,
striped Purple

crocuspflo1cambessedanusgarnonswilliams1a1a

September, October, November, December

3 x 15
(8 x 38)

Plant at the edges of paths, drives and small beds towards the front of borders. They can also be planted 4 inches (10 cms) deep in 10 inch (25 cms) pots with 50% sharp sand and 50% Multipurpose Compost mixture.
Plant under turf on sandy or chalk soil.

Crocus cancellatus
cancellatus

Pale to Mid Lilac-Blue

crocuscflocancellatuscancellatusrvroger1a1

September, October, November, December

2 x 15
(5 x 38)

Flowering time varies from the end of September to early December without the leaves. The flowering time will vary by as much as 2 or 3 months. Needs to be grown in a cool greenhouse rather than in the garden.

Crocus cancellatus
lycius

Creamy-White

crocuscflocancellatuslyciusrvroger1a

September, October, November, December

2 x 15
(5 x 38)

This bulb produces wonderful creamy white flowers with bright orange stigmata. Again, one for the cool greenhouse as it needs a warm dry period of dormancy in the summer.

Crocus cancellatus
pamphylicus

White

crocuscflocancellatuspamphylicusrvroger1a

September, October, November, December

2 x 15
(5 x 38)

Flowering time varies from the end of September to early December without the leaves. The flowering time will vary by as much as 2 or 3 months. This bulb needs to be grown in a cool greenhouse rather than in the garden. Does need to be allowed to dry out over the summer.

Crocus
cartwrightianus

Pale to deep Lilac-Purple or White, darker veins

crocuscflocartwrightianusrvroger1a1a

October, November,
December

2 x 15
(5 x 38)

The main attraction of this species is the long, bright red styles and shorter bright yellow stamens. Quite an eye catching flower!! It will grow outdoors in a sunny spot in very well drained soil but is best grown in a pot in a cool greenhouse.

Crocus
cartwrightianus 'Albus'

Pure White

crocuscflocartwrightianusalbusrvroger1a

October, November,
December

2 x 15
(5 x 38)

This bulb is a stunning species with pure white flowers. The main attraction of this species is the long, bright red styles and shorter bright yellow stamens. It will grow outdoors in a sunny spot in very well drained soil but is best grown in a pot in a cool greenhouse.

Crocus goulimyi

Soft Lilac

crocuscflogoulimyirvroger1a

October, November

4 x 15
(10 x 38)

Scented blooms with the leaves. Requires well drained soil but otherwise will grow outdoors.

Crocus goulimyi 'Albus'

White

crocuscflogoulimyialbusrvroger1a

October, November

4 x 15
(10 x 38)

This bulb is very pretty with white flowers, opening quite wide. They are scented and have contrasting yellow stamens. The foliage appears at the same time as the flowers. Requires well drained soil but otherwise will grow outdoors.

Crocus hadriaticus

White with
Purple markings

crocuscflohadriaticusrvroger1a

October

4 x 15
(10 x 38)

Plant under turf on sandy or chalk soil. The grass should be mown short a month before flowers appear and all mowing stopped whilst the crocus are in flower and leaf. The foliage will have died down by the time in the spring when the grass needs cutting.

Crocus hadriaticus
'Indian Summer'

Fragrant, White

crocuscflohadriaticusindiansummerrvroger1a

October, November

3-4 x 15
(10 x 38)

Native to Western and Southern Greece. This is a heritage Crocus, collected by E.A. Bowles in the central Peloponnesus and cherished in gardens for much of a century. In a sunny, well-drained spot this crocus can take considerable frost.

Crocus kotschyanus kotschyanus

Pale Lilac with Orange band inside

crocuscflokotschyanuskotschyanusgeetee1a1

August, September

4 x 4
(10 x 10)

Useful information from this Rock Garden enthusiast with flower photos. Native to Lebanon and introduced prior to 1854, this is one of the finest autumn-flowering species. It is one of the most prolific offset producers in the genus, the many small cormlets spreading rapidly. It is an excellent species for naturalizing in open, woodland areas.

Crocus kotschyanus kotschyanus 'Albus'

Bone-White

crocuscflokotschyanuskotschyanusalbusrvroger1a

August, September

2.5-3 x 15 (7-8 x 38)

Flower buds are very pale lilac but open to bone-White in August-September before the leaves.

Crocus kotschyanus
'Reliance'

Light Violet-Blue

crocuscflokotschyanusreliancervroger1a1

September

3-4 x 15 (8-10 x 38)

The Dark Green - with a White band in the centre - leaves appear after the flowers; becoming 12 inches (30 cms) long; and persisting throughout the winter. It is an excellent species for naturalizing in open, woodland areas.

Crocus laevigatus
'Fontenayi'

Ageratum-Violet

crocuscflolaevigatusfontenayirvroger1a1

December

3-4 x 15 (8-10 x 38)

Blooms in December after the leaves have started growing. These Autumn-flowering crocus do require the well drained spot and should be planted approx. 7.5cm (3”) deep.

Crocus ligusticus

Light Lilac, darker veins

crocuscfloligusticusrvroger1a1

October, November

2 x 15
(5 x 38)

Blooms in October-November before the leaves have started growing.

Crocus niveus

White

crocuscfloniveusrvroger1a

November

4-6 x 15 (10-15 x 38)

This bulb is a variable species with white or lilac flowers with yellow throats and very distinct orange styles. Is best grown in a pot in a greenhouse but will also grow outside if it can be guaranteed a dry summer period.

Crocus nudiflorus

Bright Purple

crocuscflonudiflorusrvroger1a

September, October

6-10 x 15 (15-25 x 38)

Blooms in September-October before the leaves.Spreads easily so is ideal for naturalising.

Crocus ochroleucus

Creamy-White

crocuspfloochroleucusgarnonswilliams1a

October, November, December

2 x 15
(5 x 38)

This bulb is a delightful species with creamy white flowers, all with bright yellow throats. Another one that increases well and so is ideal for naturalising through grass or under trees.

Crocus oreocreticus

Mid-Lilac to Purple,
darker veins

crocuscflooreocreticusrvroger1a

October, November,
December

3 x 15
(8 x 38)

This will tolerate slightly cooler and damper conditions than most other crocus. The Dark Green grasslike leaves appear before the flowers.

Crocus pallasii
ssp. pallasii

Pale Pinkish-Lilac to deep Lilac-Blue

crocuscflopallasiirvroger1a1

October, November

5 x 15
(13 x 38)

An easy to grow species that will do well in the garden, this has pure lilac flowers without the yellow throat seen in most other species in October-November with the leaves.

Crocus pulchellus

Pale Lilac

crocuscflopulchelluskevock1a

September, October

4 x 4
(10 x 10)

Crocus pulchellus is a vigorous autumn crocus which naturalizes easily, producing numerous bulblets all around the parent corm to increase its numbers with surprising speed year by year.

Crocus pulchellus 'Albus'

White

crocuscflopulchellusalbusrvroger1a1

September, October

4-5 x 3-6 (10-13 x 8-15)

The Dark Green thin grass-like leaves appear with the flowers and reach 10 inches in length. Very good for naturalising.

Crocus pulchellus
'Inspiration'

Sky-Blue

crocuscflopulchellusinspirationrvroger1a

October

4 x 3-6
(10 x 8-15)

Crocus pulchellus 'Michael Hoog'

White

crocuscflopulchellusmichaelhoogrvroger1a1

October,
November

4 x 3-6
(10 x 8-15)

The Dark Green leaves appear after the flowers. Good Companions for the autumn-flowering crocus from The Telegraph.

Crocus pulchellus
'Zephyr'

White shaded Grey

crocuscflopulchelluszephyrrvroger1a1

September, October,
November

4 x 2
(10 x 5)

Native to Greece. Ideal for naturalising. Where bulbs are planted in grass do not cut the lawn until after the leaves have died back. Loved by bees. The narrow Mid-Green leaves appear after the flowers.

Crocus sativus

Lilac with Purple veins

crocuscflosativusrvroger1a1

October, November

8-12 x 2 (20-30 x 5)

The Saffron Crocus is Native to Italy and east to Turkey. Rabbits, rats, mice and birds cause damage by digging up the corms, so cover them with a very fine-mesh wire under the soil to deter the predators.

Crocus serotinus
clusii

Lilac with White throat

crocuscfloserotinusclusiirvroger1a1a

October, November

4-5 x 2 (10-13 x 5)

Rabbits, rats, mice and birds cause damage by digging up the corms, so cover them with a very fine-mesh wire under the soil to deter the predators.

Crocus serotinus
salzmanii

Lilac with White throat

crocuscfloserotinussalzmaniirvroger1a1a1

September, October, November, December

6 x 4
(15 x 10)

Plant under turf on sandy or chalk soil. The grass should be mown short a month before flowers appear and all mowing stopped whilst the crocus are in flower and leaf.

Crocus serotinus salzmanii 'Erectophyllus'

Lilac

crocuspflosalzmaniierectophyllusrvroger1a1

October, November,
December

6 x 4
(15 x 10)

Moist soil. It prefers a warm dry rest in the summer. Up to 7 narrow dark Green 3-4 inch long leaves appear as the flowers wither and then later they elongate. Grow in pots since it is frost-tender.

Crocus speciosus
'Aino'

Lilac-Blue with
darker veining

crocuscflospeciosusainorvroger1a

September, October

4-6 x 6-9 (10-15 x 15-23)

It stands up well to weather. The speciosus species and its cultivars are regarded as one of the easiest to grow. The species will sow itself and create large plantings

Crocus speciosus
'Aitchisonii'

Inside pale Lavender, Outside almost White

crocuscflospeciosusaitchisoniirvroger1a

September, October

5 x 2
(13 x 5)

Up to 7 narrow dark Green 3-4 inch long leaves appear after the flowers and then later they elongate to 12-18 inches. Grow in pots since it is frost-tender.

Crocus speciosus

Purple-Violet

crocuscflospeciosusgeetee1a

September, October,
November

4 x 1.3
(10 x 3)

Plant with suitable groundcover which supports the stem and stops the flowers from flopping over from Paghat. Rabbits, rats, mice and birds cause damage by digging up the corms, so cover them with a very fine-mesh wire under the soil to deter the predators.

Crocus speciosus
'Albus'

White

crocuscflospeciosusalbusrvroger1a1

September, October,
November

4 x 4
(10 x 10)

Fully hardy, so insert them into a sunny shrub border among deciduous shrubs. Plant with suitable groundcover which supports the stem and stops the flowers from flopping over from Paghat.

Crocus speciosus
'Artabir'

Violet-Blue veined
with Purple

crocuscflospeciosusartabirrvroger1a1a

September, October

5-6 x 2 (13-15 x 5)

Narrow Dark Green 3-4 inch long leaves appear after the flowers and then later they elongate to 12-18 inches. Fully hardy, so insert them into a sunny shrub border among deciduous shrubs.

Crocus speciosus
'Cassiope'

Violet-Blue with
Yellow centre

crocuscflospeciosuscassiopervroger1a1a

October, November

6 x 2
(15 x 5)

Good Companions for the autumn-flowering crocus from The Telegraph.

Crocus speciosus
'Conqueror'

Blue

crocuscflospeciosusconquerorrvroger1a1a1

October, November

4-6 x 2 (10-15 x 5)

The larger-sized corms can be rested in the neck of a crocus vase so that the bottom of the corm is just above the water level, then place on a window-cill in the kitchen to give you the flowers before planting out in the garden when in leaf.

Crocus speciosus
'Oxonian'

Violet-Mauve with
Blue stem

crocuscflospeciosusoxonianrvroger1a1a

September, October

4 x 2-4
(10 x 5-10)

Fully hardy, so insert them into a sunny shrub border among deciduous shrubs. Plant with suitable groundcover which supports the stem and stops the flowers from flopping over from Paghat.

Crocus veneris

White flushed Bronze

crocuscflovenerisrvroger1a1

November, December,
January

4 x 4
(10 x 10)

Sand, Chalk soil. In Cyprus grows on stony and grassy places in maquis or open conifer woods. Not hardy in the UK, so needs to be grown in a greenhouse.

Winter-flowering Crocus

Crocus ancyrensis
'Golden Bunch'

Tangerine-Yellow

crocuscfloancyrensisgoldenbunchfoord1a1

December, January

3 x 15
(8 x 38)

Because 'Golden Bunch' is so extremely early it is more than commonly apt to be ruined by our winter rainstorms. Some years it is truly fine-looking crocus for only about two days before the rain beats it down.

Crocus biflorus
'Miss Vain'

White with pale
Blue base

crocuscflobiflorusmissvaingeetee1a1a

February, March

4 x 2
(10 x 5)

Plant from September to December 5-8cm deep and 5cm apart. Can be planted under trees, under shrubs, in borders and containers. Plant in groups for the best effect.

Crocus chrysanthus 'Ard Schenk'

White

crocuscflochrysanthusardschenkkevock1a

January, February,
March

4 x 3
(10 x 8)

The 4 inch long Dark Green leaves are produced with the flowers.

Crocus chrysanthus
'Blue Pearl'

Light Lobelia-Blue with White margin

crocuscflochrysanthusbluepearlgeetee1a

January, February,
March

4 x 3
(10 x 8)

If placed near the root crowns of deciduous shrubs, they'll get the sun they need in late winter & early spring when they bloom, then when they are dormant, the roots of the shrubs will soak up the water to keep the corms from steeping in too much moisture, so not at risk of rot.

Crocus chrysanthus
'Cream Beauty'

Creamy-Yellow

crocuscflochrysanthuscreambeautygeetee1a1

January, February,
March

3 x 2
(8 x 5)

Naturalized they can be used in bold sweeping drifts, especially when mixed with Snowdrops and Winter Aconites.

Crocus chrysanthus
'Dorothy'

Bright
Buttercup-Yellow

crocuscflochrysanthusdorothykevock1a1a

February, March

2-4 x 2-4 (5-10 x 5-10)

The 4 inch long Dark Green leaves are produced with the flowers.

Crocus chrysanthus
'E.A. Bowles'

Deep Butter-Yellow with Bronze feathering

crocuscflochrysanthuseabowlesfoord1a1

February, March

3-4 x 15 (8-10 x 38)

Deep Butter-Yellow with Bronze feathering, blooms in February-March with the leaves.

Crocus chrysanthus 'Fuscotinctus'

Plum-Purple on
Yellow ground

crocuscflochrysanthusfuscotinctusgeetee1a1a

January, February,
March

4 x 3
(10 x 8)

Crocus chrysanthus
'Goldilocks'

Deep Yellow, shaded Purple-Brown

crocuscflochrysanthusgoldilocksgeetee1a1

January, February,
March

3 x 2
(8 x 5)

Deer resistant.
'Just a little crocus Growing in the grass Can announce the springtime To the folks that pass.' from Paghat.

Crocus chrysanthus 'Prince Claus'

White with
Blue blotch

crocuscflochrysanthusprinsclaausgeetee1a1a

January, February,
March

3 x 2
(8 x 5)

Deer resistant. It's a Bunch-Flowering Crocus, so-named because individual bulbs are frequently multiflowering, hence a drift started with 25 bulbs can look very densely planted even for its first year. As it naturalizes & produces offsets, it will be still flowerier in years to come.

Crocus chrysanthus
'Princess Beatrix'

Light Blue with
darker feathers

crocuscflochrysanthusprincessbeatrixfoord1a

February, March

2.5 x 15
(6 x 38)

Many species of crocuses like to remain dry in summer, but this is not the case with varieties of C. sieberi or C. chrysanthus, which even during summer dormancy multiply best in well-watered locations.

Crocus chrysanthus
'Romance'

Lemon-Yellow

crocuscflochrysanthusromancegeetee1a1

January, February,
March

4 x 4
(10 x 10)

'Deer resistant and excellent when planted with early blooming Crocus chrysanthus 'Advance'.

Crocus chrysanthus
'Saturnus'

Dark Yellow, with Purple Stripes externally

crocuscfloschrysanthussaturnusfoord1a1a

January, February

3 x 15
(8 x 38)

Many species of crocuses like to be permitted to remain dry in summer, but this is not the case with varieties of C. sieberi or C. chrysanthus, which even during summer dormancy multiply best in well-watered locations. The 10 inch long Dark Green leaves are produced with the flowers.

Crocus chrysanthus
'Snow Bunting'

White with Lilac feathers externally

crocuscflochrysanthussnowbuntinggeetee1a1a

February, March

3 x 15
(8 x 38)

Plant under turf on sandy or chalk soil. The winter-flowering crocuses will have made their leaf growth and the foliage will have died down by the time in the spring when the grass needs cutting.

Crocus chrysanthus
'Warley'

Cream and Blue
outside, White and
Yellow inside

crocuscflochrysanthuswarleyfoord1a

February, March

3 x 15
(8 x 38)

The 10 inch long Dark Green leaves are produced with the flowers. This crocus even during summer dormancy multiplies best in well-watered locations.

Crocus chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze'

Garnet-Brown inside
Yellow

crocuscflochrysanthuszwanenburgbronzegeetee1a1a

January, February,
March

4 x 2
(10 x 5)

Fragrant Garnet-Brown with narrow Yellow margin inside Saffron Yellow blooms in January-March with the 3 inch long Mid-Green leaves.

Crocus sieberi
atticus 'Firefly'

Amethyst-Violet

crocuscflosieberiatticusfireflygeetee1a

January, February,
March

4 x 2
(10 x 5)

Others prefer to remain dry in summer, but this is not the case with varieties of C. sieberi or C. chrysanthus, which even during summer dormancy multiply best in well-watered locations.

Crocus sieberi atticus
'Violet Queen'

Amethyst-Violet

crocuscflosieberiatticusvioletqueenkevock1a1a1

January, February,
March

3.5 x 2
(9 x 5)

The 3 inch long Mid-Green leaves are produced with the flowers. Crocus sieberi atticus is native to Greece.

Crocus sieberi 'subsp. sublimis Tricolor'

Lilac-Blue, White margin, Yellow centre

crocuscflosieberiatticustricolourgeetee1a

January, February,
March

3 x 3
(8 x 8)

Blooms in January-March with the leaves. Worth growing in a pot. Companions of Camellia sasanqua 'Plantation Pink', Cyclamen hederifolium, Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise' or Lonicera x purpusii 'Winter Beauty'.

Crocus
tommasinianus

Cobalt-Violet

crocuscflotommasinianusgeetee1a

January, February,
March

4 x 1
(10 x 3)

Crocus tommasinianus reproduces rapidly by self-seeding and by corm offsets. The cormlets are much too tiny to ever sieve out of the soil, and wherever the tommies spread on their own, that's where they will always remain.

Crocus tommasinianus 'Barrs Purple'

Amethyst-Violet

crocuscflotommasinianusbarrspurplegeetee1a1

January, February,
March

3 x 2
(8 x 5)

Good choice for deciduous woodland areas. Plant these in clusters at the front of a border, cram them into pots for the patio, or use them to line the edges of a path.

Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'

Spectrum Violet

crocuscflotommasinianusrubygiantgeetee1a

January, February,
March

3 x 2
(8 x 5)

Many crocuses have a tendency to flop over due to weak stems, or to at least flop over on overcast days when the blooms remain closed awaiting for a sunnier day. Tommies are a major exception. They're upright & sturdy, even on overcast days with flowers tightly shut, looking like blue candles amidst tea-whisks of their own grass.

Crocus tommasinianus 'Whitewell Purple

Reddish-Mauve

crocuscflotommasinianuswhitewellpurplegeetee1a

January, February,
March

4 x 1
(10 x 3)

It will grow in almost all soil types. Good choice for deciduous woodland areas. Plant these in clusters at the front of a border, cram them into pots for the patio, or use them to line the edges of a path. One of the best for naturalising in grass.

Winter and Spring-Flowering Crocus

Crocus etruscus

Lilac

crocuscfloetruscuskevock1a

March, April

4 x 4
(10 x 10)

Wild habitat in Deciduous Woodland and Fields. Blooms before the leaves. Seed capsules emerge towards the end of the growing season as the leaves die away.

Crocus flavus ssp. flavus
'Golden Yellow'

Orange-Yellow

crocuscfloflavusgoldenyellowkevock1a1

February, March,
April

4 x 4
(10 x 10)

Crocus flavus ssp. flavus is native to much of Europe and it has been in cultivation for at least 400 years. The foliage is about the same length as the height of the flowers at flowering time, 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cms), but extend greatly later, often being as much as 12 inches in length.

Crocus vernus 'Flower Record'

Purple

crocuscflovernusflowerrecordgeetee1a1

February,
April

5 x 2
(13 x 5)

Blooms with the leaves. It is also good for the bees. Can be planted under trees, under shrubs, in borders and containers. Plant in groups for the best effect.

Crocus vernus 'Grand Maitre'

Lavender-Violet

crocuscflovernusgrandmaitregeetee1a

March,
April

6 x 4
(15 x 10)

Flowers with the leaves. It is also good for the bees. Plant at the edges of paths, drives and small beds towards the front of borders.

Crocus vernus 'Joan of Arc'

White

crocuscflovernusjoanofarcgeetee1a

March,
April

4 x 4
(10 x 10)

Plant in waves in the garden or lawn. If planting in the lawn wait at least 6 weeks after the crocus have flowered to mow the lawn. Crocus will multiply and come back year after year if left undisturbed.

Crocus vernus 'Pickwick'

Striped White and Lilac

crocuscflovernuspickwickgeetee1a1a

March, April

5 x 2
(13 x 5)

Flowers in March-April with the leaves. It is also good for the bees. Plant in waves in the garden or lawn. If planting in the lawn wait at least 6 weeks after the crocus have flowered to mow the lawn. Crocus will multiply and come back year after year if left undisturbed.

Crocus vernus 'Yellow Mammoth'

Yellow

crocuscflovernusyellowmammothgeetee1a1

March, April

6 x 2
(15 x 5)

Flowers in March-April with the leaves. It is also good for the bees. Crocus corms have star-like flowers when open; they close at night and remain closed on dark, cloudy days.

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Site design and content copyright ©June 2009.
Page structure amended November 2012.
Added my photos to existing plant description pages and more plants into the index, which are described in the Colour Wheel Rock Garden and Colour Rock Photos galleries in February 2015.
Thumbnail, Height x Width and Comments added to above Index October 2015.
Bulb description Pages updated May 2018.
Chris Garnons-Williams.

DISCLAIMER: Links to external sites are provided as a courtesy to visitors. Ivydene Horticultural Services are not responsible for the content and/or quality of external web sites linked from this site.

Note - the Bulb Gallery names of Autumn Bulb, Late Summer Bulb and Spring Bulb refer to when the bulbs are delivered to you, not when they flower.

See Crocus Spring Flowering Final Trials Report 2006-2009 of the Royal Horticultural Society for further crocus details.

Wild Flowers of Greece by Vangelis Papiomytoglou has 1200 photos to make their recognition easier.

These references stand out as specified by Pacific Rim Native Plant Nursery:- "

• Crocuses: A Complete Guide to the Genus, by Jánis Rukšáns. Timber Press, 2010; ISBN 978-1-60469-106-1. Descriptions and propagation advice for gardeners from the Latvian nurseryman who knows Crocus more intimately, and grows more species, than most people.

• The Crocus: A Revision of the Genus Crocus, by Brian Mathew. B.T. Batsford, 1982; ISBN 0 7134 3390 6. Out of print, expensive second-hand, fortunately still available in some libraries. Mathew published an update in The Plantsman, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2 (March and June 2002); important articles have also been published by Helmut Kerndorff and Erich Pasche, the German Crocus specialists."

The RHS has a National Collection of Crocus at Wisley - This collection now exceeds 800 accessions, representing more than 100 species and subspecific taxa, and 96 cultivars, the latter including plantings in other parts of the garden.

Potting mixture created by Mark Smyth of Alpine Garden Society for Autumn Crocuses for you to use in pots

use the potting mixtures used by the Royal Horticultural Society in its Crocus Spring Flowering 2006-2009 Trials

The 3 natural divisions of Colchicum are:-

1. Autumn-flowering species and hybrids
2. Winter- and Spring-flowering species and
3. Tessellated species, those marked with a crisscross pattern on the petals in colors of dark and light rosy mauve

The 2 natural divisions of Crocus are:-

1. Autumn-flowering species and hybrids and
2. Winter- and Spring-flowering species

and the relevant division is added to the Plant Description Page Title.

You can obtain larger photos and more text explaination of a Colchicum or Crocus by clicking on the name of that Corm in the Link List in the next column

There are other pages on Plants which bloom in each month of the year in this website:-

12 Bloom Colours per Month Index
Plants Blue, Orange, Red, Yellow, White, Other Colours which lead on to other pages
Colour Wheel - All Flowers per Month 12
Bedding
Bulb
Climber
Deciduous Shrub
Deciduous Tree
Evergreen Perennial
Evergreen Shrub
Evergreen Tree
Herbaceous Perennial
Rhododendron
Rose
Wild Flower

Plants for Cut Flowers in
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Climber 3 sector Vertical Plant System with flowers in
Jan,
Feb,
Mar,
Apr,
May 1, 2
Jun,
Jul,
Aug,
Sep,
Oct,
Nov,
Dec

Indoor Bulbs for
December
January
February
Indoor Bulbs for
March
April
May
Indoor
Bulbs for
June
July
August
Indoor Bulbs for
September
October
November
Plant Bloom
Dec-Jan
Feb-Mar
Plant Bloom
Apr-May
Jun-Aug
Plant Bloom
Sep-Oct
Nov-Dec