Re: Autumn crocus and colchicum
- To:
- Subject: Re: Autumn crocus and colchicum
- From: R* C*
- Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 17:07:28 -0400
Louise, I haven't grown the real autumn crocus, but the bulbs are tiny
compared to colchicum, and so are the flowers from what I can see.
Colchicum flowers are (at least for me) are about the same size as tulips,
and make a very impressive display. Autumn crocus is...well, crocus sized.
At least over here, where autumn crocus are as scarce as hen's teeth,
colchicum are often sold under the name autumn crocus. Confusing, ain't
it?
I have been having a hard time finding the more interesting colchicums (I
don't like to mail order) but have a couple of dozen of the ordinary
pinky-mauve ones and I love them. The whites, and the waterlily flowered
ones look really great too, and one of my local garden centres says they
will have both varieties in stock this August, so I'll have them in my
garden soon.
I'm sure if you can get real autumn crocus they'll look very nice in the
garden. planted in the same sort of situation as the spring flowering types,
but the colchicum look best poking up through other plants in my opinion,
since they have no foliage until spring (it looks kind of like a miniature
corn stalk crossed with a hosta, and I really like it). Mine are planted in
an area surrounded by hosta and bergenia (in full sun).
Bob Campbell
southern Ontario.
>After the discussion on the list a few weeks ago about late
>summer and autumn bulbs I decided to get some autumn crocus
>and/or colchicum. I love seeing them at a large garden we
>visit regularly. I've got a catalogue and have made my
>choice but what I want to know is: what is the difference
>between the two sorts of bulbs? They look identical to me.
>
>Louise, southern England
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