Few
"bulbs" are more valuable and less appreciated than these. The
rather unfortunate common name refers to the general resemblance of
most colchicums to an oversized, fall-blooming crocus, but in fact the
two are quite distant both genetically and ornamentally. The genus is
best known to gardeners in the form of the large fall-blooming hybrids
such as 'Waterlily', and these are indeed showy, durable, unimpeachable
ornamentals, bringing a welcome splash of color to the garden at a time
when it is all too often lacking. Far less known and equally deserving,
however, are the many gardenworthy species (as well as some of the best
hybrids). The glorious diversity of the genus encompasses not only the
fall-blooming giants, but also spring-bloomers, summer-bloomers, and "dwarfs" (naturals for the rock garden); not only
species from cold-winter areas, but also numerous Mediterranean species
which relish milder winters and porous soils.
A garden that employs this full diversity can boast nearly constant
colchicum bloom from midsummer to spring, in habitats ranging from
rockery to meadow to perennial border to woodland edge. As for the
charge that their leaves are ungainly, this is a contemptible calumny.
We consider the lusty (typically spring-borne) leaves of the large
colchicums to be highly ornamental, certainly far more so than the
foliage of the average tulip or daffodil. Yes, they do go off in early
summer, but did you ever hear a tulip chastised for displaying this
behavior? All in all, this is a genus to be treasured. It is also a
genus
to be ordered early: we start shipping their corms in August, and
if you want to see bloom (rather than stubs of ex-blooms) this fall,
you will need to order before then. Plant the large fall-blooming colchicums in moderately fertile, not overly dry soil in sun or light shade. The dwarf and spring-blooming species like full sun and need to stay relatively dry while dormant. |
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 Colchicum autumnale
'Album' ~ A vigorous form, its abundance of bloom and rapidity of
increase amply compensating for its relatively small flowers (1.5-inch
"petals"). Later blooming than the type (late September to October). Modified
continental/maritime. Zone 4/5. |
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1/$6 |
 Colchicum autumnale
'Nancy Lindsay' (C . pannonicum ) ~ Under whatever
name, a dandy plant, with abundant, bright-pink, purple-"stemmed"
blooms – somewhat larger than those of straight C.
autumnale – in early September, near the beginning of the colchicum season. Thrives in reasonably fertile, not overly dry soil in sun or light shade. Modified
continental. Zone 4/5. Enter quantity:
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1/$6 |
 Colchicum cilicicum ~ This presumed
parent of C. byzantinum bears up to 25 rose-purple,
honey-scented, starry-petaled goblets in October. Most satisfactory,
and one of our favorites. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Mediterranean; S Turkey. Zone 6.
Photo by Chris Guntermann |
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1/$5 |
 Colchicum cilicicum 'Purpureum' ~ Here's the above in a form with somewhat darker purple flowers. Mediterranean; S Turkey. Zone 6. Enter quantity:
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1/$5 |
 Colchicum giganteum ~ E.A. Bowles
commends this "very distinct and beautiful plant, increasing well and
flowering freely rather later than C. speciosum."
Funnel-shaped, fragrant, rosy purple flowers in late September; large leaves
in late winter/spring. "Showy and easy," opine Jelitto & Schacht.
We concur. Modified continental; NE Turkey. Zone 5. |
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1/$5 |
 Colchicum kesselringii
~ Doubly unusual, with white, sometimes pink-suffused flowers (several
per corm) in February and March, each 1-inch lobe distinctively blazed
with a purple midstripe. Narrow leaves accompany the blooms. As with
all the spring-bloomers, it appreciates good drainage and sun (and
looks and does well in a pot). Steppe/montane; C Asia. Mediterranean; SE Europe. Zone 6. Enter quantity:
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1/$15 |
 Colchicum laetum ~
The botanical name of this distinct colchicum has no validity, but the
abundant pale-lilac flowers, reminiscent of but later than those of C. byzantinum, certainly validate this
as a worthy ornamental. Zone 5. Enter quantity:
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1/$5 |
 Colchicum speciosum var. bornmuelleri ~ This showy form of the quintessential large-flowered colchicum bears the usual 3-inch-tall
chalices of raspberry-purple on 4-inch "stalks" in September, but adds a large white eye to the color scheme.
The large leaves arrive in spring. Wonderful with Tricyrtis
and Anemone japonica . Likes humus and good drainage. Montane/modified continental; N Turkey. Zone 5. AGM Enter quantity:
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1/$5
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 Colchicum szovitsii
'Tivi' ~
A first-rate selection with large, prolific, uniformly white flowers (except for a yoke of yellow at their centers). As with all forms of this species, its blooms remain effective for many weeks in late winter and early spring, in a display that far outstrips that of any snowdrop. Steppe/montane; Caucasus to N Iran. Zone 6. |
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1/$15 |
| Colchicum tenorii ~
The tesselated, bright rosy-lilac blooms of this smaller-leaved take on C. autumnale appear in late summer, rather early in the colchicum season. It winters reliably here in less than balmy central Massachusetts. Ample sun and good drainage are advised. Mediterranean; Italy & Spain. Zone 6. Enter quantity:
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1/$5 |
| Colchicum 'Beaconsfield' ~ We know of one colchiphile who considers this his favorite of the hybrids. We can understand why – its rich rose-purple, checkered flowers with long, starry "petals" are very much what we would expect from a dalliance between C. bivonae and C. speciosum 'Ordu'. Should one occur. Blooms midseason (mid-September here). Zone 5. |
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1/$6.50 |
 Colchicum 'Disraeli' ~ One of the legendary Kerbert
hybrids, nearly a century old, whose showy, magenta-checkered flowers
closely resemble C. bivonae, but without its
fragrance. Zone 5. AM |
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1/$6 |
 Colchicum 'Giant' ~ On the eve
of its hundredth birthday, this Kerbert hybrid remains among the most
popular of its tribe. The large, tulipesque flowers – amethyst-violet
with a generous white eye – appear in mid- to late-September. This is authentic stock (and not a 'Giant' imposter, as is often the case with corms purchased under its name). Zone 5.
FCC |
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1/$3.50 |
 Colchicum 'Glory of Heemstede' ('Conquest') ~ A rarely offered but highly desirable Kerbert hybrid, rich in coloration (deep rosy-purple) and moderate in flower size (2-inch "petals"). The slightly checkered, goblet-shaped blooms appear in September. Zone 5. |
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1/$7 |
 Colchicum 'Jarka' ~
The resemblance to 'Harlequin' is quite close: the segments – pinched and sometimes twisted at their tips – are mauve below, white above. Yet, it's our impression that they're considerably heavier on the mauve and lighter on the twisting than is 'Harlequin'. In any case, 'Jarka' (like 'Harlequin') is a valuable and distinctive addition to the colchicum crew. Zone 5. Enter quantity: |
1/$9 |
 Colchicum 'Poseidon'
~
Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. 'Poseidon', a superior selection
whose rich violet flowers are among the deepest in hue of any
colchicum's. Makes sense. As also might be expected from the name, it
is of robust constitution. It blooms midway through the colchicum season (mid-September). Zone 5. Enter quantity: |
1/$9 |
 Colchicum 'Rosy Dawn'
~ We received this as 'Rosy Dawn', and despite past doubts are now quite certain that's what it is. Huge lilac-purple goblets of good substance and almost geometric precision open wide to reveal generous white eyes with yellow-stained centers. It's one of the largest of our hybrids in all its parts, and also one of the best. Mideason. Zone 5. Enter quantity:
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1/$6.50 |
 Colchicum 'Zephyr' ~ Bright purple,
elegantly fashioned flowers through September. Increases well. Yet
another worthy but obscure hybrid, and a favorite of ours. Zone 5. |
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1/$8 |