Ivydene Gardens Colchicum and Crocus Corm Gallery:
Site Map
 

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 Use pages from
P Infill2 Index Gallery

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 Green-house or Stove:-
...Achimenes
...Alocasias
...Amorpho-phalluses
...Arisaemas
...Arums
...Begonias
...Bomareas
...Caladiums
...Clivias
...Colocasias
...Crinums
...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 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

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

Colchicum autumnale

Lavender-Pink

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.

Bulb Use pages from
Bulb Shape Gallery

Colchicum autumnale 'Alboplenum'

Double White

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.

Colchicum autumnale
'Album'

Single White

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.

Colchicum autumnale
'Major'

Rose-Lilac

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."

Colchicum autumnale
'Nancy Lindsay'

Pink-Mauve

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.

Colchicum autumnale 'Pleniflorum'

Lilac-Pink

November, December

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

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

Colchicum
'Autumn Herald'

Wine-Purple with
White eye

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.

Colchicum baytopiorum

Pinkish-Purple with
Yellow anthers

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.

Colchicum boissieri

Pinkish-Lilac with
Yellow anthers

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.

Colchicum byzantinum

Pale Lilac or Bright Mauve with White Centre

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.

Colchicum cilicium

Purplish-Pink

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.

Colchicum cilicium
'Purpureum'

Red-Purple

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.

Colchicum cupanii

Rosy-Lilac with Purplish-Black anthers

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.

Fragrant Plants as a Plant Selection Process for your sense of smell from
P Garden Style Index Gallery:-

Bulbs and Corms with Scented Flowers
1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Colchicum
'Dick Trotter'

Violet-Pink with
White-star Centre

September

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

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

Colchicum 'Disraeli'

Magenta chequered with White Centre

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.

Index of Bulbs from
P Infill2 Plants Index Gallery

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
...Crocus
...Cyclamen
...Dicentra
...Dierama
...Eranthis
...Eremurus
...Erythrnium
...Eucomis
...Fritillaria
...Funkia
...Galanthus
...Galtonia
...Gladiolus
...Hemerocallis
...Hyacinth
...Hyacinths in Pots
...Scilla
...Puschkinia
...Chionodoxa
...Chionoscilla
...Muscari
...Iris
...Kniphofia
...Lapeyrousia
...Leucojum
...Lilium
...Lilium in Pots
...Malvastrum
...Merendera
...Milla
...Narcissus
...Narcissi in Pots
...Ornithogalum
...Oxalis
...Paeonia
...Ranunculus
...Romulea
...Sanguinaria
...Sternbergia
...Schizostylis
...Tecophilaea
...Trillium
...Tulip
...Zephyranthus
Half-Hardy Bulbs
...Acidanthera
...Albuca
...Alstroemeri
...Andro-stephium
...Bassers
...Boussing-aultias
...Bravoas
...Cypellas
...Dahlias
...Galaxis,
...Geissorhizas
...Hesperanthas
...Gladioli
...Ixias
...Sparaxises
...Babianas
...Morphixias
...Tritonias
...Ixiolirions
...Moraeas
...Ornithogalums
...Oxalises
...Phaedra-nassas
...Pancratiums
...Tigridias
...Zephyranthes
...Cooperias

Colchicum giganteum

Soft Purple

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.

Colchicum 'Gracia'

Light Violet-Purple with
White Base

October, November

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

It flowers before the leaves are produced.

Colchicum graecum

Rose-Pink and
darker Pink

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.

Colchicum 'Harlekijn'

Creamy-White with
Purple Blotches

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

Colchicum
'Jochem Hof'

Royal Purple with
White Throat

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.

Colchicum laetum

Rose-Lilac

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.

Colchicum
'Lilac Bedder'

Light Violet-Purple with
White Throat

September

8 x 10
(20 x 25)

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

Colchicum
'Lilac Wonder'

Deep Lilac-Pink

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.

Colchicum luteum

Yellow

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.

Colchicum parlatoris

Pink-Lilac

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.

Colchicum 'Poseidon'

Violet-Mauve

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.

Colchicum
'Rosy Dawn'

Pinkish-Violet with
White Centre

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.

Index of Bulbs from
Plants Extra Gallery
Bulb
Photos - Bulb

Colchicum speciosum

 

Pale to Deep Pink with White Throat

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.

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 1, 2, 3
(o): B
(o): C 1, 2
(o): D
(o): E
(o): F
(o): G, Gladiolus
(o): H
(o): I
....: J
....: K
(o): L 1, 2
(o): M
(o): N
(o): O
(o): P
....: Q
....: R
(o): S
(o): T
....: U
(o): V
....: W
(o): XYZ
Type of Form (Mat, Cushion, Spreading, Clump, Stemless, Upright),
Soil Type,
Sun Aspect,
Soil Moisture,
Foliage Colour,
Uses
added, starting in March 2020 with Bulb Allium Anemone Gallery

Colchicum speciosum
'Album'

White

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.

Colchicum speciosum bornmeulleri

Pale to Dark Pink with White throat

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.

Colchicum speciosum
'Ordu'

Amethyst-Violet with
White Centre

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.

Colchicum tenorei

Light to Dark Purple

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.

Colchicum
'The Giant'

Purplish-Violet with
White Base

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.

Colchicum
'Violet Queen'

Bluish-Lilac with
White Throat

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.

Website Structure Explanation and User Guidelines

Colchicum
'Water Lily'

Pinkish-Lilac

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September, October,
November

10 x 15
(20 x 38)

Wonderful chequered lilac blooms are produced before the leaves.

Winter-flowering Colchicums

Colchicum crocifolium

White

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

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 hungaricum albiflorum

White with Dark
Purple Anthers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October, November

2 x 15
(5 x 38)

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

Crocus niveus

White

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October

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

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.

Crocus pulchellus 'Michael Hoog'

White

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October, November

6 x 2
(15 x 5)

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

Crocus speciosus
'Conqueror'

Blue

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

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

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