Autumn-Flowering Colchicum and Crocus |
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SAND, CHALK. Colch-icum cupanii-autumn Sep-Dec |
SAND, CHALK. Colch-icum luteum - autumn Sep |
SAND, CHALK. Crocus oreocr-eticus -autumn Oct-Nov |
SAND, CHALK. Crocus pallasii -autumn Oct-Nov |
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SAND, CHALK. Crocus boryi-autumn Sep-Dec |
SAND, CHALK. Crocus cambes-sedesii -autumn Sep-Dec |
SAND, CHALK. Crocus cartwri-ghtianus 'Albus' -autumn Oct-Dec |
SAND, CHALK. Crocus goul-imyi -autumn Oct-Nov |
SAND, CHALK. Crocus laevigat-us 'Font-enayi' -autumn 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 Oct-Nov |
Winter-Flowering Colchicum and Crocus |
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Sand, ch-alk. Dec-Jan |
SAND, CHALK. Crocus chrysan-thus 'E.A. Bowles'-winter 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 |
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Spring-Flowering Colchicum and Crocus |
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Sand, chalk. Crocus 'Flower Record' - spring Feb-Apr |
SAND, CHALK. Crocus vernus 'Joan of Arc' - spring Sun Mar-Apr |
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The Bear's Smallest Relative
The rodent they call "capybara" |
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The 3 natural divisions of Colchicum are:-
The 2 natural divisions of Crocus are:-
and the relevant division is added to the Plant Description Page Title. |
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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?
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." |
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Ivydene Gardens Colchicum and Crocus Corm Gallery: |
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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. |
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COLCHICUM AND CROCUS CORM GALLERY PAGES Introduction FOLIAGE COLOUR SEED COLOUR BED PICTURES
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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:- |
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Besides the above Bulb Flower Colour Comparison Pages, you also have the following Comparison Pages:- |
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Colchicum and Crocus INDEX link to Corm Description Page |
Flower Colour with Link to Flower Colour Com-parison Page |
Flower Thumb-nail |
Flowering |
Height x Width in inches (cms) - |
Comments |
The first 7 photos on Crocus ligusticus Bulb Descrip-tion show the transition of the Flower Bud through to the completed flower |
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COLCHICUM How to tell a Colchicum from a true Crocus?
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Form Thumbnail |
Autumn-flowering Colchicums |
Bulb Use |
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Lavender-Pink |
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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. |
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Double White |
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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. |
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Single White |
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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. |
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Rose-Lilac |
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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." |
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Pink-Mauve |
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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. |
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Lilac-Pink |
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November, December |
4-6 x 10 (10-15 x 25) |
Looks quite exotic but is actually easy to grow and very reliable. |
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Wine-Purple with |
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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. |
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Pinkish-Purple with |
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October |
2 x 10 |
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. |
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Pinkish-Lilac with |
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September, October, November, December |
8 x 10 |
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. |
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Pale Lilac or Bright Mauve with White Centre |
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September |
5 x 16 |
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. |
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Purplish-Pink |
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September |
4 x 16 |
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. |
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Red-Purple |
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September |
4 x 16 |
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. |
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Rosy-Lilac with Purplish-Black anthers |
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September, October, November, December |
3 x 16 |
A smaller-flowered species, with unusually for a colchicum, the leaves visible at flowering time. |
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Violet-Pink with |
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September |
6-8 x 10 (15-20 x 25) |
This superb mid-season hybrid has distinctive rose-pink rounded flowers with a white eye. |
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Magenta chequered with White Centre |
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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. |
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Soft Purple |
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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. |
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Light Violet-Purple with |
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October, November |
10-12 x 10 (25-30 x 25) |
It flowers before the leaves are produced. |
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Rose-Pink and |
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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. |
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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 |
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Royal Purple with |
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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. |
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Rose-Lilac |
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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. |
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Light Violet-Purple with |
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September |
8 x 10 |
Its flowers are produced efore the eaves. Very reliable and will mulitply. |
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Deep Lilac-Pink |
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September |
6 x 10 |
A prolific flowering variety with very pretty deep lilac-pink flowers. Easy to grow and makes a superb show. |
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Yellow |
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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. |
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Pink-Lilac |
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September |
2 x 7 |
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. |
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Violet-Mauve |
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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. |
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Pinkish-Violet with |
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September |
6 x 10 |
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. |
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Pale to Deep Pink with White Throat |
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September, October |
7 x 10 |
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. |
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White |
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October |
4 x 10 |
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. |
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Pale to Dark Pink with White throat |
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October |
4 x 10 |
Green quite narrow leaves are produced in the Spring. Moisture required in the Spring for the roots and foliage, and October for the flowers. |
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Amethyst-Violet with |
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September |
8 x 10 |
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. |
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Light to Dark Purple |
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September |
8 x 10 |
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. |
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Purplish-Violet with |
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September |
8 x 10 |
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. |
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Bluish-Lilac with |
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September |
Plant at the edges of paths, drives and small beds towards the front of borders. Plant under turf on sandy or chalk soil. |
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Pinkish-Lilac |
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September, October |
5 x 10 |
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. |
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Soft Lilac with |
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September |
5 x 10 |
Soft Lilac with star-shaped Greenish-White Centre in September before the leaves are produced in the spring |
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Tessellated-flowering Colchicums:- |
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Pale Lilac with Lilac-Purple tessell-ation |
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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. |
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Pink with White Throat and Purple tessell-ation |
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August, September |
6 x 10 |
Colchicum - photos taken by Arnold Trachtenberg - are grown in his New Jersey garden, planted in garden soil augmented with 50% grit. |
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Lilac with White Centre |
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October, November |
8 x 15 |
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. |
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Purplish-Violet |
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October, November |
7 x 15 |
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. |
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Light Violet with |
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October, November |
8 x 15 |
Light Violet and tessellated with Purplish-Violet in October-November before the leaves are produced. |
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September, October, |
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. |
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Purple-Pink with |
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September |
5 x 15 |
Deep Purple-Pink and tessellated with White blooms are produced in September before the leaves. |
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Rosy-Lilac with |
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September, October, |
10 x 15 |
Wonderful chequered lilac blooms are produced before the leaves. |
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Winter-flowering Colchicums |
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White |
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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. |
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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. |
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White with Dark |
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January, February |
8 x 8 |
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. |
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White with |
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January, February |
2-3 x 8 |
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. |
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White |
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January, February |
2-3 x 8 |
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. |
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Winter- and Spring-Flowering Colchicums |
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December, January, |
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. |
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CROCUS |
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Autumn-flowering Crocus |
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Lilac to Purple |
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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. |
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Light and Dark Violet |
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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. |
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White to Pale Lilac |
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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. |
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Creamy-White |
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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. |
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September, October, November, December |
3 x 15 |
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. |
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September, October, November, December |
2 x 15 |
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. |
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Creamy-White |
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September, October, November, December |
2 x 15 |
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. |
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White |
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September, October, November, December |
2 x 15 |
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. |
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October, November, |
2 x 15 |
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. |
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Pure White |
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October, November, |
2 x 15 |
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. |
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Soft Lilac |
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October, November |
4 x 15 |
Scented blooms with the leaves. Requires well drained soil but otherwise will grow outdoors. |
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White |
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October, November |
4 x 15 |
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. |
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White with |
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October |
4 x 15 |
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. |
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Fragrant, White |
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October, November |
3-4 x 15 |
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. |
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Pale Lilac with Orange band inside |
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August, September |
4 x 4 |
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. |
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Bone-White |
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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. |
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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. |
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Ageratum-Violet |
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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. |
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Light Lilac, darker veins |
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October, November |
2 x 15 |
Blooms in October-November before the leaves have started growing. |
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White |
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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. |
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Bright Purple |
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September, October |
6-10 x 15 (15-25 x 38) |
Blooms in September-October before the leaves.Spreads easily so is ideal for naturalising. |
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Creamy-White |
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October, November, December |
2 x 15 |
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. |
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Mid-Lilac to Purple, |
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October, November, |
3 x 15 |
This will tolerate slightly cooler and damper conditions than most other crocus. The Dark Green grasslike leaves appear before the flowers. |
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October, November |
5 x 15 |
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. |
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Pale Lilac |
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September, October |
4 x 4 |
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. |
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White |
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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. |
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Sky-Blue |
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October |
4 x 3-6 |
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. |
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White |
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October, |
4 x 3-6 |
The Dark Green leaves appear after the flowers. Good Companions for the autumn-flowering crocus from The Telegraph. |
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White shaded Grey |
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September, October, |
4 x 2 |
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. |
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Lilac with Purple veins |
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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. |
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Lilac with White throat |
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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. |
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Lilac with White throat |
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September, October, November, December |
6 x 4 |
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. |
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Lilac |
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October, November, |
6 x 4 |
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. |
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Lilac-Blue with |
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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 |
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Inside pale Lavender, Outside almost White |
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September, October |
5 x 2 |
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. |
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Purple-Violet |
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September, October, |
4 x 1.3 |
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. |
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White |
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September, October, |
4 x 4 |
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. |
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Violet-Blue veined |
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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. |
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Violet-Blue with |
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October, November |
6 x 2 |
Good Companions for the autumn-flowering crocus from The Telegraph. |
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Blue |
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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. |
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Violet-Mauve with |
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September, October |
4 x 2-4 |
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. |
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White flushed Bronze |
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November, December, |
4 x 4 |
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. |
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Winter-flowering Crocus |
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Tangerine-Yellow |
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December, January |
3 x 15 |
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. |
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February, March |
4 x 2 |
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. |
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White |
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January, February, |
The 4 inch long Dark Green leaves are produced with the flowers. |
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Light Lobelia-Blue with White margin |
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January, February, |
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. |
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Creamy-Yellow |
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January, February, |
Naturalized they can be used in bold sweeping drifts, especially when mixed with Snowdrops and Winter Aconites. |
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Bright |
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February, March |
The 4 inch long Dark Green leaves are produced with the flowers. |
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Deep Butter-Yellow with Bronze feathering |
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February, March |
3-4 x 15 (8-10 x 38) |
Deep Butter-Yellow with Bronze feathering, blooms in February-March with the leaves. |
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January, February, |
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. |
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Deep Yellow, shaded Purple-Brown |
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January, February, |
Deer resistant. |
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January, February, |
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. |
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Light Blue with |
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February, March |
2.5 x 15 |
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. |
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Lemon-Yellow |
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January, February, |
'Deer resistant and excellent when planted with early blooming Crocus chrysanthus 'Advance'. |
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Dark Yellow, with Purple Stripes externally |
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January, February |
3 x 15 |
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. |
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February, March |
3 x 15 |
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. |
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Cream and Blue |
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February, March |
3 x 15 |
The 10 inch long Dark Green leaves are produced with the flowers. This crocus even during summer dormancy multiplies best in well-watered locations. |
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Garnet-Brown inside |
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January, February, |
Fragrant Garnet-Brown with narrow Yellow margin inside Saffron Yellow blooms in January-March with the 3 inch long Mid-Green leaves. |
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Amethyst-Violet |
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January, February, |
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. |
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Amethyst-Violet |
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January, February, |
The 3 inch long Mid-Green leaves are produced with the flowers. Crocus sieberi atticus is native to Greece. |
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Lilac-Blue, White margin, Yellow centre |
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January, February, |
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'. |
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Cobalt-Violet |
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January, February, |
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. |
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Amethyst-Violet |
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January, February, |
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. |
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Spectrum Violet |
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January, February, |
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. |
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Reddish-Mauve |
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January, February, |
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. |
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Winter and Spring-Flowering Crocus |
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Lilac |
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March, April |
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. |
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Orange-Yellow |
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February, March, |
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. |
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Purple |
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February, |
5 x 2 |
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. |
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Lavender-Violet |
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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. |
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White |
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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. |
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March, April |
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. |
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March, April |
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. |
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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 or use the potting mixtures used by the Royal Horticultural Society in its Crocus Spring Flowering 2006-2009 Trials |
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The 3 natural divisions of Colchicum are:-
The 2 natural divisions of Crocus are:-
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 |
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There are other pages on Plants which bloom in each month of the year in this website:- |
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BULB FLOWER SHAPE GALLERY PAGES |
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Number of Flower Petals |
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Flower Shape - Simple |
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Flower Shape - Simple |
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Flower Shape - Elabor-ated |
Stars with Semi-Double Flowers |
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Natural Arrange-ments |
Bunches, Posies and Sprays (Group) |
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BULB |
Bulbs for Small Garden by E.C.M. Haes. Published by Pan Books in 1967:-
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Bulbs in the Small Garden with Garden Plan and its different bulb sections |
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Bulb Form |
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Bulb Use |
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Bulb in Soil |
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Bulb Height from Text Border |
Brown= 0-12 inches (0-30 cms) |
Blue = 12-24 inches (30-60 cms) |
Green= 24-36 inches (60-90 cms) |
Red = 36+ inches (90+ cms) |
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Bulb Soil Moisture from Text Background |
Wet Soil |
Moist Soil |
Dry Soil |
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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. |
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